Patents by Inventor Christopher Barrick

Christopher Barrick 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).

  • Patent number: 11937527
    Abstract: A method for determining residue coverage within a field after a harvesting operation may include receiving yield data associated with an estimated crop yield across a field and generating an estimated residue coverage map for the field based at least in part on the yield data. The method may further include receiving residue data associated with residue coverage across a surface of the field following the performance of a harvesting operation within the field. Additionally, the method may include generating an updated residue coverage map for the field based at least in part on the estimated residue coverage map and the residue data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Luca Ferrari, Christopher Barrick
  • Publication number: 20230345852
    Abstract: A system for detecting the levelness of ground engaging tools of a tillage implement including an agricultural implement including a frame and ground engaging tools supported relative to the frame. The system includes a first sensor and a second sensor configured to capture data indicative of a material flow past one or more first ground engaging tools and second ground engaging tools, respectively. The system includes a controller configured to monitor data received from the first sensor and the second sensor and compare one or more first monitored values and one or more second monitored values associated with the material flow past the first ground engaging tool(s) and the second ground engaging tool(s), respectively. The controller is further configured to identify that at least a portion of the ground engaging tools are not level when the first monitored value(s) differs from the second monitored value(s) by a predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventor: Christopher Barrick
  • Patent number: 11793098
    Abstract: A system for detecting the levelness of ground engaging tools of a tillage implement including an agricultural implement including a frame and ground engaging tools supported relative to the frame. The system includes a first sensor and a second sensor configured to capture data indicative of a material flow past one or more first ground engaging tools and second ground engaging tools, respectively. The system includes a controller configured to monitor data received from the first sensor and the second sensor and compare one or more first monitored values and one or more second monitored values associated with the material flow past the first ground engaging tool(s) and the second ground engaging tool(s), respectively. The controller is further configured to identify that at least a portion of the ground engaging tools are not level when the first monitored value(s) differs from the second monitored value(s) by a predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Barrick
  • Patent number: 11470763
    Abstract: In one aspect, a system for determining subsurface soil layer characteristics as an agricultural implement is towed across a field by a work vehicle may include a RADAR sensor configured to capture data indicative of a subsurface soil layer characteristic of the field. Furthermore, the system may include a load sensor configured to capture data indicative of a load applied to the agricultural implement by soil within the field, with the load being indicative of the subsurface soil layer characteristic. Additionally, a controller of the system may be configured to determine a first value of the subsurface soil layer characteristic based on the data received from the RADAR and a second value of the subsurface soil layer characteristic based on the data received from the load sensor. Moreover, the controller may be configured to determine a differential between the first value and the second value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: CNH INDUSTRIAL CANADA, LTD.
    Inventors: Christopher Barrick, James W. Henry
  • Patent number: 11419254
    Abstract: A system for detecting the levelness of ground engaging tools of a tillage implement including an agricultural implement including a frame and tool assemblies supported relative to the frame. The tool assemblies each include a toolbar coupled to the frame and one or more ground engaging tools coupled to the toolbar. The system further includes sensors coupled to two of the tool assemblies and configured to capture data indicative of a load acting on the one or more ground engaging tools of the tool assemblies. Additionally, the system includes a controller configured to monitor the data received from the sensors and compare at least one monitored value associated with the load acting on the ground engaging tool(s) of each of the tool assemblies. Moreover, the controller is further configured to identify the ground engaging tool(s) are not level when the monitored value(s) differ by a predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher Barrick, James W. Henry, Robert Zemenchik
  • Patent number: 11410301
    Abstract: A method for determining residue coverage within a field may include receiving, with one or more computing devices, first and second images of the field. The first image may depict a portion of the field at a first time during a crop-growing period and the second image may depict the portion of the field at a second time during the crop-growing period, with the first and second times being different. Furthermore, the method may include generating, with the one or more computing devices, an estimated residue coverage map for the field based on the received first and second images. Additionally, the method may include generating, with the one or more computing devices, a prescription map for the field based on the estimated residue coverage map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Barrick, Robert A. Zemenchik, John H. Posselius
  • Patent number: 11330754
    Abstract: A system for assessing the performance of an agricultural implement may include a ground engaging tool configured to engage soil within a field as the agricultural implement is moved across the field such that the ground engaging tool creates a field material cloud aft of the ground engaging tool in a direction of travel of the agricultural implement. The system may further include a sensor configured to detect a cloud characteristic of the field material cloud and a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor. The controller may be configured to monitor data received from the sensor and assess the agricultural operation being performed based at least in part on the cloud characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Christopher A. Foster, Trevor Stanhope, Christopher Barrick
  • Patent number: 11297757
    Abstract: A system for monitoring the displacement of a ground engaging tool of an agricultural implement includes a controller of the system may be configured to monitor a magnitude of a displacement defined between a current position of a ground engaging tool of the implement and a predetermined ground engaging tool position. The controller may also be configured to initiate a first control action when it is determined that the magnitude of the displacement of the ground engaging tool exceeds a first threshold displacement value. Moreover, the controller may further be configured to initiate a second control action when it is determined that the magnitude of the displacement of the ground engaging tool exceeds a second threshold displacement value, with the second threshold displacement value corresponding to a greater displacement relative to the predetermined ground engaging tool position than the first displacement threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Michael G. Kovach, Christopher Barrick, John C. Endlsey, James W. Henry, Tracey D. Meiners, Klint J. Peterson, Alan Forbes, David Long, Christopher A. Lursen
  • Patent number: 11259454
    Abstract: In one aspect, a system for detecting ground engaging tool float for an agricultural implement may include an implement having a ground engaging tool pivotally coupled to a frame and a biasing element coupled between the frame and the ground engaging tool. The biasing element may be configured to bias the ground engaging tool to a predetermined ground engaging tool position relative to the frame. The system may also include a sensor configured to detect a parameter indicative of a current position of the ground engaging tool relative to the frame. Additionally, the system may include a controller configured to monitor the current position of the ground engaging tool based on measurement signals received from the sensor and identify a time period across which the ground engaging tool is displaced from the predetermined ground engaging tool position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Michael G. Kovach, Christopher Barrick, John C. Endsley, James W. Henry, Tracey D. Meiners, Klint J. Peterson
  • Patent number: 11154002
    Abstract: In one aspect, a system for controlling the operation of an agricultural implement may include an agricultural implement configured to perform an agricultural operation on a field as the implement is moved across the field. A controller of the system configured to receive data indicative of a plurality of field characteristics of the field. The controller may also be configured to determine first and second soil moisture content values of the soil within the field at first and second depths below a field surface of the field based on the received data, respectively. Additionally, the controller may be configured to initiate adjustment of an operating parameter of the agricultural implement based on the determined the first soil moisture content value and the determined second soil moisture content value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Barrick, Tracey D. Meiners
  • Publication number: 20210272255
    Abstract: A method for determining residue coverage within a field may include receiving, with one or more computing devices, first and second images of the field. The first image may depict a portion of the field at a first time during a crop-growing period and the second image may depict the portion of the field at a second time during the crop-growing period, with the first and second times being different. Furthermore, the method may include generating, with the one or more computing devices, an estimated residue coverage map for the field based on the received first and second images. Additionally, the method may include generating, with the one or more computing devices, a prescription map for the field based on the estimated residue coverage map.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Christopher Barrick, Robert A. Zemenchik, John H. Posselius
  • Publication number: 20210136995
    Abstract: In one aspect, a system for determining subsurface soil layer characteristics as an agricultural implement is towed across a field by a work vehicle may include a RADAR sensor configured to capture data indicative of a subsurface soil layer characteristic of the field. Furthermore, the system may include a load sensor configured to capture data indicative of a load applied to the agricultural implement by soil within the field, with the load being indicative of the subsurface soil layer characteristic. Additionally, a controller of the system may be configured to determine a first value of the subsurface soil layer characteristic based on the data received from the RADAR and a second value of the subsurface soil layer characteristic based on the data received from the load sensor. Moreover, the controller may be configured to determine a differential between the first value and the second value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventors: Christopher Barrick, James W. Henry
  • Publication number: 20210127545
    Abstract: A system for assessing the performance of an agricultural implement may include a ground engaging tool configured to engage soil within a field as the agricultural implement is moved across the field such that the ground engaging tool creates a field material cloud aft of the ground engaging tool in a direction of travel of the agricultural implement. The system may further include a sensor configured to detect a cloud characteristic of the field material cloud and a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor. The controller may be configured to monitor data received from the sensor and assess the agricultural operation being performed based at least in part on the cloud characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Christopher A. Foster, Trevor Stanhope, Christopher Barrick
  • Publication number: 20210120726
    Abstract: A system for detecting the levelness of ground engaging tools of a tillage implement including an agricultural implement including a frame and tool assemblies supported relative to the frame. The tool assemblies each include a toolbar coupled to the frame and one or more ground engaging tools coupled to the toolbar. The system further includes sensors coupled to two of the tool assemblies and configured to capture data indicative of a load acting on the one or more ground engaging tools of the tool assemblies. Additionally, the system includes a controller configured to monitor the data received from the sensors and compare at least one monitored value associated with the load acting on the ground engaging tool(s) of each of the tool assemblies. Moreover, the controller is further configured to identify the ground engaging tool(s) are not level when the monitored value(s) differ by a predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Inventors: Christopher Barrick, James W. Henry, Robert Zemenchik
  • Patent number: 10973162
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for adjusting fore/aft level trim of the frame of a towed agricultural tillage implement utilize an electronic control unit that receives an input signal indicative of a desired depth of penetration of tillage tools operatively attached to the front and rear of the implement frame, and automatically computes a desired for/aft trim angle as a function of the desired depth input, and then adjusts the fore/aft trim of the implement frame by titling the frame toward the front or rear of the frame in accordance with the desired fore/aft trim angle computed from the desired depth input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher Barrick, John Endsley, Timothy R. Blunier, James W. Henry, Tracey Meiners, Klint Peterson
  • Publication number: 20210059094
    Abstract: A system for detecting the levelness of ground engaging tools of a tillage implement including an agricultural implement including a frame and ground engaging tools supported relative to the frame. The system includes a first sensor and a second sensor configured to capture data indicative of a material flow past one or more first ground engaging tools and second ground engaging tools, respectively. The system includes a controller configured to monitor data received from the first sensor and the second sensor and compare one or more first monitored values and one or more second monitored values associated with the material flow past the first ground engaging tool(s) and the second ground engaging tool(s), respectively. The controller is further configured to identify that at least a portion of the ground engaging tools are not level when the first monitored value(s) differs from the second monitored value(s) by a predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventor: Christopher Barrick
  • Publication number: 20210056721
    Abstract: A system for monitoring field surface conditions includes a support arm and a housing coupled to the support arm such that the housing is supported adjacent to a surface of a field, with the housing extending over a portion of the surface such that a shielded surface area is defined underneath the housing. The system also includes a light source configured to illuminate at least a portion of the shielded surface area defined underneath the housing such that a shadow is created adjacent a surface feature positioned within the shielded surface area and an imaging device configured to capture an image of the surface feature and the adjacent shadow created by the surface feature. Moreover, the system includes a controller configured to estimate a parameter associated with the surface feature based at least in part on an analysis of the adjacent shadow depicted within the image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventor: Christopher Barrick
  • Patent number: 10916028
    Abstract: A system for monitoring field surface conditions includes a support arm and a housing coupled to the support arm such that the housing is supported adjacent to a surface of a field, with the housing extending over a portion of the surface such that a shielded surface area is defined underneath the housing. The system also includes a light source configured to illuminate at least a portion of the shielded surface area defined underneath the housing such that a shadow is created adjacent a surface feature positioned within the shielded surface area and an imaging device configured to capture an image of the surface feature and the adjacent shadow created by the surface feature. Moreover, the system includes a controller configured to estimate a parameter associated with the surface feature based at least in part on an analysis of the adjacent shadow depicted within the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Barrick
  • Publication number: 20210034867
    Abstract: A method for determining residue coverage within a field after a harvesting operation may include receiving yield data associated with an estimated crop yield across a field and generating an estimated residue coverage map for the field based at least in part on the yield data. The method may further include receiving residue data associated with residue coverage across a surface of the field following the performance of a harvesting operation within the field. Additionally, the method may include generating an updated residue coverage map for the field based at least in part on the estimated residue coverage map and the residue data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventors: Luca Ferrari, Christopher Barrick
  • Patent number: 10838432
    Abstract: A system for monitoring frame levelness of an agricultural implement may include first and second sensors configured to detect first and second parameters indicative of forces exerted on first and second ground engaging tools of the implement by the ground, respectively. The system may also include a controller configured to monitor a parameter differential between the first and second parameters based on measurement signals received from the first and second sensors, with the monitored parameter differential being indicative of at least one of pitch or roll of a frame of the implement. The controller may be further configured initiate a control action associated with adjusting the pitch and/or the roll of the frame based on a magnitude of the monitored parameter differential to adjust an orientation of the frame relative to the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher Barrick, James W. Henry, Yong Deng