Patents by Inventor Adam Vaccari
Adam Vaccari has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11871691Abstract: Described herein are implements that include a vehicle having a system for sensing or testing soil and/or vegetation as the vehicle traverses a field.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2020Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: CLIMATE LLCInventors: Dale Koch, Todd Swanson, Kent Levy, Adam Vaccari, Jason Stoller
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Patent number: 11713751Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure includes a method of calibrating a pump in a system to determine a minimum pump duty cycle needed. The system comprises a pump, a plurality of application lines downstream of the pump, and a flow control device in each application line. The method determines the minimum pump duty cycle to achieve total flow in the system, achieves a minimum pressure in the system, and ensures that the flow control device is not at or beyond a maximum open position.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2020Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: Precision Planting LLCInventors: Adam Vaccari, Brendan O'Rourke, Ben Schlipf, Justin McMenamy
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Patent number: 11516959Abstract: An agricultural trench depth sensing system having a trench implement adapted to be disposed in a soil trench opened in a soil surface. In one embodiment an ultrasonic sensor detects a distance to an upper surface of said trench implement or a target disposed thereon. In another embodiment, said trench implement includes one or more fingers which rotate with respect to said trench implement to detect the soil surface relative to said trench implement. In another embodiment, said trench implement includes side sensors for detecting the sidewall of the soil trench.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2019Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Inventors: Todd Swanson, Dale Koch, Adam Vaccari, Dexter Travis, Reid Harman
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Publication number: 20220377969Abstract: An agricultural trench depth sensing system having a trench implement adapted to be disposed in a soil trench opened in a soil surface. In one embodiment an ultrasonic sensor detects a distance to an upper surface of said trench implement or a target disposed thereon. In another embodiment, said trench implement includes one or more fingers which rotate with respect to said trench implement to detect the soil surface relative to said trench implement. In another embodiment, said trench implement includes side sensors for detecting the sidewall of the soil trench.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2022Publication date: December 1, 2022Inventors: Todd Swanson, Dale M. Koch, Adam Vaccari, Dexter Travis, Reid Harman
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Publication number: 20220364998Abstract: A system for collecting and chemically analyzing water samples extracted from the soil to measure one or more analytes of interest such as soil nutrient levels of agricultural interest for increasing crop yield and quality in one use of the system. The system includes a sample collection probe (20) comprising a filter media (26) arranged to contact the soil when embedded therein and capture a water sample from the soil, and operably coupled to a sample processing sub-system (180) thereby collectively forming a sampling station (190). The sub-system (180) is configured to receive and analyze the water sample. A programmable probe controller (60) directs operation of the sample collection, processing, and chemical analysis in situ. A networked array (110) of sampling probes dispersed throughout the field may communicate wirelessly with at least one remote electronic device such as via the cloud computing (102). A modular version of a sampling probe (200) permits customized sampling at various soil depths.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2020Publication date: November 17, 2022Inventors: Dale M. Koch, Nicholas Minarich, Todd Swanson, Rachel Nelson, Adam Vaccari
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Publication number: 20210285869Abstract: An automated computer-controlled sampling system and related methods for collecting, processing, and analyzing agricultural samples for various chemical properties such as plant available nutrients. The sampling system allows multiple samples to be processed and analyzed for different analytes or chemical properties in a simultaneous concurrent or semi-concurrent manner. Advantageously, the system can process soil samples in the “as collected” condition without drying or grinding. The system generally includes a sample preparation sub-system which receives soil samples collected by a probe collection sub-system and produces a slurry (i.e. mixture of soil, vegetation, and/or manure and water), and a chemical analysis sub-system which processes the prepared slurry samples for quantifying multiple analytes and/or chemical properties of the sample. The sample preparation and chemical analysis subsystems can be used to analyze soil, vegetation, and/or manure samples.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2019Publication date: September 16, 2021Inventors: Todd Swanson, Dale Koch, Kent Levy, Matthew O'Neall, Hayden Splechter, Reid Harman, Timothy Schaefer, Adam Vaccari
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Publication number: 20210268456Abstract: An automated computer-controlled sampling system and related methods for collecting, processing, and analyzing agricultural samples for various chemical properties such as plant available nutrients. The sampling system allows multiple samples to be processed and analyzed for different analytes or chemical properties in a simultaneous concurrent or semi-concurrent manner. Advantageously, the system can process soil samples in the “as collected” condition without drying or grinding. The system generally includes a sample preparation sub-system which receives soil samples collected by a probe collection sub-system and produces a slurry (e.g., mixture of soil, vegetation, and/or manure and water), and a chemical analysis sub-system which processes the prepared slurry samples for quantifying multiple analytes and/or chemical properties of the sample. The preparation sub-system may comprise a slurry recirculation flow loop configured with devices to stir, measure, and adjust a water to solids ratio of the slurry.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2021Publication date: September 2, 2021Inventors: Todd SWANSON, Kent LEVY, Timothy A. SCHAEFER, Riley LITWILLER, Reid HARMAN, Joshua SEELYE, Adam VACCARI, Joanquin GANOZA, Dale M. KOCH
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Publication number: 20210208123Abstract: An automated computer-controlled sampling system and related methods for collecting, processing, and analyzing agricultural samples for various chemical properties such as plant available nutrients. The sampling system allows multiple samples to be processed and analyzed for different analytes or chemical properties in a simultaneous concurrent or semi-concurrent manner. Advantageously, the system can process soil samples in the “as collected” condition without drying or grinding. The system generally includes a sample preparation sub-system which receives soil samples collected by a probe collection sub-system and produces a slurry (i.e. mixture of soil, vegetation, and/or manure and water), and a chemical analysis sub-system which processes the prepared slurry samples for quantifying multiple analytes and/or chemical properties of the sample. The sample preparation and chemical analysis sub-systems can be used to analyze soil, vegetation, and/or manure samples.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2021Publication date: July 8, 2021Inventors: Todd Swanson, Dale Koch, Kent Levy, Matthew O'Neall, Reid Harman, Timothy Schaefer, Adam Vaccari
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Publication number: 20210208036Abstract: An automated computer-controlled sampling system and related methods for collecting, processing, and analyzing agricultural samples for various chemical properties such as plant available nutrients. The sampling system allows multiple samples to be processed and analyzed for different analytes or chemical properties in a simultaneous concurrent or semi-concurrent manner. Advantageously, the system can process soil samples in the “as collected” condition without drying or grinding. The system generally includes a sample preparation sub-system which receives soil samples collected by a probe collection sub-system and produces a slurry (i.e. mixture of soil, vegetation, and/or manure and water), and a chemical analysis sub-system which processes the prepared slurry samples for quantifying multiple analytes and/or chemical properties of the sample. The sample preparation and chemical analysis sub-systems can be used to analyze soil, vegetation, and/or manure samples.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2021Publication date: July 8, 2021Inventors: Todd Swanson, Dale Koch, Kent Levy, Matthew O'Neall, Reid Harman, Timothy Schaefer, Adam Vaccari
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Patent number: 10954930Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure includes a method of calibrating a pump in a system to determine a minimum pump duty cycle needed. The system comprises a pump, a plurality of application lines downstream of the pump, and a flow control device in each application line. The method determines the minimum pump duty cycle to achieve total flow in the system, achieves a minimum pressure in the system, and ensures that the flow control device is not at or beyond a maximum open position.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2018Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: Precision Planting LLCInventors: Adam Vaccari, Brendan O'Rourke, Ben Schlipf, Justin McMenamy
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Publication number: 20210071651Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure includes a method of calibrating a pump in a system to determine a minimum pump duty cycle needed. The system comprises a pump, a plurality of application lines downstream of the pump, and a flow control device in each application line. The method determines the minimum pump duty cycle to achieve total flow in the system, achieves a minimum pressure in the system, and ensures that the flow control device is not at or beyond a maximum open position.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2020Publication date: March 11, 2021Inventors: Adam Vaccari, Brendan O'Rourke, Ben Schlipf, Justin McMenamy
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Publication number: 20210053048Abstract: A rotary analysis apparatus and related methods are disclosed. The apparatus generally includes a rotary machine operable to rotate or spin a removable disk-type analytical cartridge. The cartridge includes a plurality of fluidly isolated processing trains for processing multiple samples simultaneously. Each process train includes an extractant mixing chamber, slurry filtration chamber, supernatant collection chamber, and reagent mixing chamber in fluid communication. In one use, soil sample slurry is prepared and added to the extractant mixing chamber. The slurry is mixed with an extractant by rotating the cartridge to separate out an analyte from the mixture. A sediment filter in the filtration chamber deliquifies and traps soil particles to produce clear supernatant. A color changing reagent or fluorescent agent may be mixed with the collected supernatant for subsequent colorimetric, fluorescent, turbidimetric, or other type of analysis.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2019Publication date: February 25, 2021Inventors: Todd Swanson, Dale Koch, Adam Vaccari
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Publication number: 20200396893Abstract: Described herein are implements that include a vehicle having a system for sensing or testing soil and/or vegetation as the vehicle traverses a field.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2020Publication date: December 24, 2020Inventors: DALE KOCH, TODD SWANSON, KENT LEVY, ADAM VACCARI, JASON STOLLER
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Publication number: 20200232792Abstract: An agricultural trench depth sensing system having a trench implement adapted to be disposed in a soil trench opened in a soil surface. In one embodiment an ultrasonic sensor detects a distance to an upper surface of said trench implement or a target disposed thereon. In another embodiment, said trench implement includes one or more fingers which rotate with respect to said trench implement to detect the soil surface relative to said trench implement. In another embodiment, said trench implement includes side sensors for detecting the sidewall of the soil trench.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2019Publication date: July 23, 2020Inventors: Todd SWANSON, Dale KOCH, Adam VACCARI, Dexter TRAVIS, Reid HARMAN, Michael STRNAD, Jeremy HODEL
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Patent number: 10701856Abstract: Described herein are implements that include a vehicle having a system for sensing or testing soil and/or vegetation as the vehicle traverses a field.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2017Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: The Climate CorporationInventors: Dale Koch, Todd Swanson, Kent Levy, Adam Vaccari, Jason Stoller
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Publication number: 20190360475Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure includes a method of calibrating a pump in a system to determine a minimum pump duty cycle needed. The system comprises a pump, a plurality of application lines downstream of the pump, and a flow control device in each application line. The method determines the minimum pump duty cycle to achieve total flow in the system, achieves a minimum pressure in the system, and ensures that the flow control device is not at or beyond a maximum open position.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2018Publication date: November 28, 2019Inventors: Adam Vaccari, Brendan O'Rourke, Ben Schlipf, Justin McMenamy
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Publication number: 20180124992Abstract: Described herein are implements that include a vehicle having a system for sensing or testing soil and/or vegetation as the vehicle traverses a field.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2017Publication date: May 10, 2018Inventors: DALE KOCH, TODD SWANSON, KENT LEVY, ADAM VACCARI, JASON STOLLER
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Patent number: 8862351Abstract: A method of controlling a transmission (100) for a machine is disclosed. The transmission includes a variator (104). The transmission is operated in a first operating range (301). It is determined whether a current speed ratio is within a first predetermined range of a speed ratio associated with a first synchronous point (304) lying between the first operating range (301) and the second operating range (302). A desired speed ratio is determined and it is determined if the desired speed ratio is within a second predetermined range of the speed ratio. A shift between the first and second operating ranges (301, 302) is prevented and the variator (104) is controlled to hold the current speed ratio if the desired speed ratio is within the second predetermined range or the rate of acceleration of the machine is below the threshold acceleration.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2012Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Michael Beyer, Adam Vaccari, Christopher Rhoades, Adam Nackers, Brian Lister, Mike Barngrover
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Publication number: 20130325270Abstract: A method of controlling a transmission (100) for a machine is disclosed. The transmission includes a variator (104). The transmission is operated in a first operating range (301). It is determined whether a current speed ratio is within a first predetermined range of a speed ratio associated with a first synchronous point (304) lying between the first operating range (301) and the second operating range (302). A desired speed ratio is determined and it is determined if the desired speed ratio is within a second predetermined range of the speed ratio. A shift between the first and second operating ranges (301, 302) is prevented and the variator (104) is controlled to hold the current speed ratio if the desired speed ratio is within the second predetermined range or the rate of acceleration of the machine is below the threshold acceleration.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2012Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.Inventors: Michael Beyer, Adam Vaccari, Christopher Rhoades, Adam Nackers, Brian Lister, Mike Barngrover
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Patent number: 8473170Abstract: The described system and method provide improved transmission performance and response with closed loop torque feedback by implementing situational gain scheduling and nonlinear control techniques for continuously variable transmissions. The system uses contextual information regarding the operation of the machine to determine a gain to be applied in associated PID control logic. In an embodiment, the determined gain is applied in the integral portion of the closed loop controller.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2010Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jason Stoller, Adam Vaccari