Patents by Inventor Courtney N. Achen
Courtney N. Achen 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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Publication number: 20250031606Abstract: Agricultural seed planting systems include a processing unit, a frame, a furrow opener coupled to the frame for opening a furrow in soil, and a sensor in communication with the processing unit and adapted to sense a characteristic associated with seed planting. The sensor may generate a signal associated with the sensed characteristic and the processing unit may receive the signal. In some aspects, the sensed characteristic may be either a soil characteristic or a seed characteristic. Information associated with the sensed characteristic can be saved in memory for future use and to assist with more effective planting in the future.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2024Publication date: January 30, 2025Inventors: LAURA B. BLOMME, COURTNEY N. ACHEN
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Publication number: 20240397847Abstract: Agricultural devices, row unit adjustment systems, and methods of adjusting a depth of a furrow. In some aspects, an agricultural device is adapted to plant seeds and includes a frame, a furrow opener coupled to the frame and adapted to cut a furrow including a depth, a sensor adapted to sense a characteristic associated with planting seeds and generate a signal associated with the sensed characteristic, and a processing unit receiving the signal associated with the sensed characteristic. The depth of the furrow is adjustable based on the signal associated with the sensed characteristic. Such characteristic may be a characteristic of the soil, a force applied to the agricultural device, or a position of a portion of the agricultural device.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2024Publication date: December 5, 2024Inventors: COURTNEY N. ACHEN, MARVIN BACHMAN, VAUGHAN G. STEVENSON
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Patent number: 12114590Abstract: Agricultural seed planting systems include a processing unit, a frame, a furrow opener coupled to the frame for opening a furrow in soil, and a sensor in communication with the processing unit and adapted to sense a characteristic associated with seed planting. The sensor may generate a signal associated with the sensed characteristic and the processing unit may receive the signal. In some aspects, the sensed characteristic may be either a soil characteristic or a seed characteristic. Information associated with the sensed characteristic can be saved in memory for future use and to assist with more effective planting in the future.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2021Date of Patent: October 15, 2024Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Laura B. Blomme, Courtney N. Achen
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Patent number: 12058946Abstract: Agricultural devices, row unit adjustment systems, and methods of adjusting a depth of a furrow. In some aspects, an agricultural device is adapted to plant seeds and includes a frame, a furrow opener coupled to the frame and adapted to cut a furrow including a depth, a sensor adapted to sense a characteristic associated with planting seeds and generate a signal associated with the sensed characteristic, and a processing unit receiving the signal associated with the sensed characteristic. The depth of the furrow is adjustable based on the signal associated with the sensed characteristic. Such characteristic may be a characteristic of the soil, a force applied to the agricultural device, or a position of a portion of the agricultural device.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2022Date of Patent: August 13, 2024Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Courtney N. Achen, Marvin Bachman, Vaughan G. Stevenson
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Patent number: 11558996Abstract: An agricultural implement includes a number of row units. The row units include one or more seed meters for receiving, singulating, and dispensing seed to the ground such that preferred spacing of subsequent seed is attained. Seed delivery systems are included to aid in transporting the seed from the seed meter to the ground in a controlled manner to mitigate skips and to aid in controlling the spacing of the seeds, which can be based upon the ground speed of the implement as it moves through the field. The seed delivery systems can control the transport of the seed to a furrow in the field such that the seed can experience zero or near zero relative velocity so that the seed will have little to no movement once positioned in the furrow.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2019Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Matthew J. Wilhelmi, Marvin Bachman, Dustan Hahn, Michael J. Myers, Vaughan Stevenson, Robert Blackwell, Courtney N. Achen
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Patent number: 11558991Abstract: An agricultural planter includes systems, methods, and apparatuses for maintaining down force pressure at row units of the planter. The row units may include an electric linear actuator connected to linkages of the row units to maintain a down force pressure for the row unit. The linkage may also be removed and replaced with a strut or like mechanism to apply a direct down force pressure to components of the row unit. One or more sensors can be included to obtain information related to the ground to automatically adjust the amount of down force provided based upon a ground characteristic in order to maintain a substantially uniform furrow depth.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2019Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Courtney N. Achen, Marvin Bachman, Rhett Schildroth, Merlan Rolffs, Michael J. Myers, John Kollman, John P. Mulherin
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Publication number: 20220192072Abstract: Agricultural devices, row unit adjustment systems, and methods of adjusting a depth of a furrow. In some aspects, an agricultural device is adapted to plant seeds and includes a frame, a furrow opener coupled to the frame and adapted to cut a furrow including a depth, a sensor adapted to sense a characteristic associated with planting seeds and generate a signal associated with the sensed characteristic, and a processing unit receiving the signal associated with the sensed characteristic. The depth of the furrow is adjustable based on the signal associated with the sensed characteristic. Such characteristic may be a characteristic of the soil, a force applied to the agricultural device, or a position of a portion of the agricultural device.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2022Publication date: June 23, 2022Inventors: Courtney N. Achen, Marvin Bachman, Vaughan G. Stevenson
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Patent number: 11297753Abstract: Agricultural devices, row unit adjustment systems, and methods of adjusting a depth of a furrow. In some aspects, an agricultural device is adapted to plant seeds and includes a frame, a furrow opener coupled to the frame and adapted to cut a furrow including a depth, a sensor adapted to sense a characteristic associated with planting seeds and generate a signal associated with the sensed characteristic, and a processing unit receiving the signal associated with the sensed characteristic. The depth of the furrow is adjustable based on the signal associated with the sensed characteristic. Such characteristic may be a characteristic of the soil, a force applied to the agricultural device, or a position of a portion of the agricultural device.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2019Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Courtney N. Achen, Marvin Bachman, Vaughan G. Stevenson
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Publication number: 20220046850Abstract: Agricultural seed planting systems include a processing unit, a frame, a furrow opener coupled to the frame for opening a furrow in soil, and a sensor in communication with the processing unit and adapted to sense a characteristic associated with seed planting. The sensor may generate a signal associated with the sensed characteristic and the processing unit may receive the signal. In some aspects, the sensed characteristic may be either a soil characteristic or a seed characteristic. Information associated with the sensed characteristic can be saved in memory for future use and to assist with more effective planting in the future.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2021Publication date: February 17, 2022Inventors: LAURA B. BLOMME, COURTNEY N. ACHEN
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Patent number: 11185010Abstract: Agricultural seed planting systems include a processing unit, a frame, a furrow opener coupled to the frame for opening a furrow in soil, and a sensor in communication with the processing unit and adapted to sense a characteristic associated with seed planting. The sensor may generate a signal associated with the sensed characteristic and the processing unit may receive the signal. In some aspects, the sensed characteristic may be either a soil characteristic or a seed characteristic. Information associated with the sensed characteristic can be saved in memory for future use and to assist with more effective planting in the future.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2019Date of Patent: November 30, 2021Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Laura B. Blomme, Courtney N. Achen
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Publication number: 20200084957Abstract: An agricultural implement includes a number of row units. The row units include one or more seed meters for receiving, singulating, and dispensing seed to the ground such that preferred spacing of subsequent seed is attained. Seed delivery systems are included to aid in transporting the seed from the seed meter to the ground in a controlled manner to mitigate skips and to aid in controlling the spacing of the seeds, which can be based upon the ground speed of the implement as it moves through the field. The seed delivery systems can control the transport of the seed to a furrow in the field such that the seed can experience zero or near zero relative velocity so that the seed will have little to no movement once positioned in the furrow.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2019Publication date: March 19, 2020Inventors: Matthew J. Wilhelmi, Marvin Bachman, Dustan Hahn, Michael J. Myers, Vaughan Stevenson, Robert Blackwell, Courtney N. Achen
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Publication number: 20200077563Abstract: An agricultural planter includes systems, methods, and apparatuses for maintaining down force pressure at row units of the planter. The row units may include an electric linear actuator connected to linkages of the row units to maintain a down force pressure for the row unit. The linkage may also be removed and replaced with a strut or like mechanism to apply a direct down force pressure to components of the row unit. One or more sensors can be included to obtain information related to the ground to automatically adjust the amount of down force provided based upon a ground characteristic in order to maintain a substantially uniform furrow depth.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2019Publication date: March 12, 2020Inventors: COURTNEY N. ACHEN, MARVIN BACHMAN, RHETT SCHILDROTH, MERLAN ROLFFS, MICHAEL J. MYERS, JOHN KOLLMAN, JOHN P. MULHERIN
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Patent number: 10485159Abstract: An agricultural implement includes a number of row units. The row units include one or more seed meters for receiving, singulating, and dispensing seed to the ground such that preferred spacing of subsequent seed is attained. Seed delivery systems are included to aid in transporting the seed from the seed meter to the ground in a controlled manner to mitigate skips and to aid in controlling the spacing of the seeds, which can be based upon the ground speed of the implement as it moves through the field. The seed delivery systems can control the transport of the seed to a furrow in the field such that the seed can experience zero or near zero relative velocity so that the seed will have little to no movement once positioned in the furrow.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2017Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Matthew J. Wilhelmi, Marvin Bachman, Dustan Hahn, Michael J. Myers, Vaughan Stevenson, Robert Blackwell, Courtney N. Achen
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Patent number: 10477753Abstract: An agricultural planter includes systems, methods, and apparatuses for maintaining down force pressure at row units of the planter. The row units may include an electric linear actuator connected to linkages of the row units to maintain a down force pressure for the row unit. The linkage may also be removed and replaced with a strut or like mechanism to apply a direct down force pressure to components of the row unit. One or more sensors can be included to obtain information related to the ground to automatically adjust the amount of down force provided based upon a ground characteristic in order to maintain a substantially uniform furrow depth.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2017Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Courtney N. Achen, Marvin Bachman, Rhett Schildroth, Merlan Rolffs, Michael J. Myers, John Kollman, John P. Mulherin
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Publication number: 20190274240Abstract: Agricultural devices, row unit adjustment systems, and methods of adjusting a depth of a furrow are provided. In some aspects, an agricultural device is adapted to plant seeds and includes a frame, a furrow opener coupled to the frame and adapted to cut a furrow including a depth, a sensor adapted to sense a characteristic associated with planting seeds and generate a signal associated with the sensed characteristic, and a processing unit receiving the signal associated with the sensed characteristic. The depth of the furrow is adjustable based on the signal associated with the sensed characteristic. Such characteristic may be a characteristic of the soil, a force applied to the agricultural device, or a position of a portion of the agricultural device.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2019Publication date: September 12, 2019Inventors: Courtney N. Achen, Marvin Bachman, Vaughan G. Stevenson
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Publication number: 20190191621Abstract: Agricultural seed planting systems are provided. In some aspects, the system includes a processing unit, a frame, a furrow opener coupled to the frame for opening a furrow in soil, and a sensor in communication with the processing unit and adapted to sense a characteristic associated with seed planting. The sensor may generate a signal associated with the sensed characteristic and the processing unit may receive the signal. In some aspects, the sensed characteristic may be either a soil characteristic or a seed characteristic. Information associated with the sensed characteristic can be saved in memory for future use and to assist with more effective planting in the future.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2019Publication date: June 27, 2019Inventors: LAURA B. BLOMME, COURTNEY N. ACHEN
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Patent number: 10327374Abstract: Agricultural devices, row unit adjustment systems, and methods of adjusting a depth of a furrow include an agricultural device that is adapted to plant seeds and includes a frame, a furrow opener coupled to the frame and adapted to cut a furrow including a depth, a sensor adapted to sense a characteristic associated with planting seeds and generate a signal associated with the sensed characteristic, and a processing unit receiving the signal associated with the sensed characteristic. The depth of the furrow is adjustable based on the signal associated with the sensed characteristic. Such characteristic may be a characteristic of the soil, a force applied to the agricultural device, or a position of a portion of the agricultural device.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2017Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Courtney N. Achen, Marvin Bachman, Vaughan G. Stevenson
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Patent number: 10219430Abstract: Agricultural seed planting systems include a processing unit, a frame, a furrow opener coupled to the frame for opening a furrow in soil, and a sensor in communication with the processing unit and adapted to sense a characteristic associated with seed planting. The sensor may generate a signal associated with the sensed characteristic and the processing unit may receive the signal. In some aspects, the sensed characteristic may be either a soil characteristic or a seed characteristic. Information associated with the sensed characteristic can be saved in memory for future use and to assist with more effective planting in the future.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2017Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Laura B. Blomme, Courtney N. Achen
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Patent number: 10219421Abstract: An agricultural device includes a number of row units that each includes a seed furrow opener that creates a furrow in the soil for seed placement. Each row unit is mounted to a toolbar of the device by a four-bar linkage which allows each row unit to move vertically to adjust to the contour of the soil independently of the other row units on the same toolbar. The four-bar linkages include one or more springs which work to transfer weight from the toolbar to the row unit. An actuator varies the tension in the spring thereby adjusting the down or up force applied to the row unit.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2017Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Courtney N. Achen, Marvin L. Bachman, Vaughan G. Stevenson
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Patent number: 10064323Abstract: An agricultural implement includes the use of one or more electromechanical hydraulic cylinder assembly in place of hydraulic cylinders. The assemblies may take various forms for actuation, and can convert an electric power source to hydraulic power for use on or with the implement. A control system is also provided for connecting to a tractor to provide control information to the assemblies or to a central hydraulic supply via a ISOBUS that rebroadcasts input controls from a source, such as a tractor used in conjunction with the agricultural implement.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2015Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Dustan Hahn, Merlan Rolffs, John P. Mulherin, Courtney N. Achen, Gary Volz, Steve Nolte, Ryan Legge, Rhett Schildroth