Patents by Inventor Christopher van der Loo

Christopher van der Loo 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: 10255384
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques might provide for designing and/or implementing a drainage system for an agricultural area, based at least in part on three-dimensional soil modeling. In some embodiments, a computer system may designate one or more locations for installing one or more main drainage pipes within the agricultural area, based at least in part based at least in part on optimization of location and/or costs. The optimization may be based at least in part on the location of at least one main drainage area, and the respective slope, depth to bedrock, and saturated hydraulic conductivity of soil at each of the one or more locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Trimble Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua W. Shuler, Christopher van der Loo
  • Publication number: 20180285485
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques might provide for designing and/or implementing a drainage system for an agricultural area, based at least in part on three-dimensional soil modeling. In some embodiments, a computer system may designate one or more locations for installing one or more main drainage pipes within the agricultural area, based at least in part based at least in part on optimization of location and/or costs. The optimization may be based at least in part on the location of at least one main drainage area, and the respective slope, depth to bedrock, and saturated hydraulic conductivity of soil at each of the one or more locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Joshua W. Shuler, Christopher van der Loo
  • Patent number: 10013509
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques might provide for designing and/or implementing a drainage system for an agricultural area, based at least in part on three-dimensional soil modeling. In some embodiments, a computer system might identify one or more elevation points at each of a plurality of locations within the agricultural area, based on 3-D topographical surveys and 3-D soil profiles. A location of one or more outlet points within the agricultural area, where water will drain out, may be identified. The computer system might also determine location, length, and/or cross-sectional size for each of one or more drainage pipes (including main, sub-main, and lateral drainage pipes), based at least in part on optimization of location and/or costs based at least in part on the 3-D topographical surveys, the 3-D soil profiles, the one or more elevation points, and/or the location of the one or more outlet points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Trimble Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua W. Shuler, Christopher van der Loo
  • Patent number: 9904747
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques might provide for implementing mass haul optimization for agricultural terrain forming, based at least in part on three-dimensional soil modeling. In some embodiments, a computer system might determine desired soil conditions (including minimum topsoil depth, maximum and minimum slope, etc.) for an agricultural area. The computer system might also identify, based on 3-D topographical surveys and 3-D soil profiles, deficient locations within the agricultural area that do not possess at least the minimum topsoil depth, excess locations that possess greater than the minimum topsoil depth, sloped locations that exceed the maximum slope, and/or flat locations whose slopes are less than the minimum slope. Costs and volumes of topsoil and/or subsurface material may be calculated, and based on such calculations it may be determined how much topsoil and/or subsurface material to relocate or order to achieve the desired topsoil depth and slope at the identified locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Trimble Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua W. Shuler, Christopher van der Loo
  • Publication number: 20160275218
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques might provide for implementing mass haul optimization for agricultural terrain forming, based at least in part on three-dimensional soil modeling. In some embodiments, a computer system might determine desired soil conditions (including minimum topsoil depth, maximum and minimum slope, etc.) for an agricultural area. The computer system might also identify, based on 3-D topographical surveys and 3-D soil profiles, deficient locations within the agricultural area that do not possess at least the minimum topsoil depth, excess locations that possess greater than the minimum topsoil depth, sloped locations that exceed the maximum slope, and/or flat locations whose slopes are less than the minimum slope. Costs and volumes of topsoil and/or subsurface material may be calculated, and based on such calculations it may be determined how much topsoil and/or subsurface material to relocate or order to achieve the desired topsoil depth and slope at the identified locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Joshua W. Shuler, Christopher van der Loo
  • Publication number: 20160275211
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques might provide for designing and/or implementing a drainage system for an agricultural area, based at least in part on three-dimensional soil modeling. In some embodiments, a computer system might identify one or more elevation points at each of a plurality of locations within the agricultural area, based on 3-D topographical surveys and 3-D soil profiles. A location of one or more outlet points within the agricultural area, where water will drain out, may be identified. The computer system might also determine location, length, and/or cross-sectional size for each of one or more drainage pipes (including main, sub-main, and lateral drainage pipes), based at least in part on optimization of location and/or costs based at least in part on the 3-D topographical surveys, the 3-D soil profiles, the one or more elevation points, and/or the location of the one or more outlet points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Joshua W. Shuler, Christopher van der Loo
  • Publication number: 20130116894
    Abstract: Sugar cane harvester automatic cutter height control systems maintain consistent cutter heights even as a harvesting machine traverses changing field conditions. After an operator chooses an initial cutting height the automatic systems maintain that height even as ground conditions change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: TRIMBLE NAVIGATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Guillermo Perez-Iturbe, Christopher van der Loo, Arthur F. Lange, Eric A. Wuestefeld