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).

  • Patent number: 11558996
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Wilhelmi, Marvin Bachman, Dustan Hahn, Michael J. Myers, Vaughan Stevenson, Robert Blackwell, Courtney N. Achen
  • Patent number: 11558991
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Courtney N. Achen, Marvin Bachman, Rhett Schildroth, Merlan Rolffs, Michael J. Myers, John Kollman, John P. Mulherin
  • Publication number: 20220192072
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2022
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Courtney N. Achen, Marvin Bachman, Vaughan G. Stevenson
  • Patent number: 11297753
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Courtney N. Achen, Marvin Bachman, Vaughan G. Stevenson
  • Publication number: 20220046850
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventors: LAURA B. BLOMME, COURTNEY N. ACHEN
  • Patent number: 11185010
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Laura B. Blomme, Courtney N. Achen
  • Publication number: 20200084957
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Matthew J. Wilhelmi, Marvin Bachman, Dustan Hahn, Michael J. Myers, Vaughan Stevenson, Robert Blackwell, Courtney N. Achen
  • Publication number: 20200077563
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: COURTNEY N. ACHEN, MARVIN BACHMAN, RHETT SCHILDROTH, MERLAN ROLFFS, MICHAEL J. MYERS, JOHN KOLLMAN, JOHN P. MULHERIN
  • Patent number: 10485159
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Wilhelmi, Marvin Bachman, Dustan Hahn, Michael J. Myers, Vaughan Stevenson, Robert Blackwell, Courtney N. Achen
  • Patent number: 10477753
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Courtney N. Achen, Marvin Bachman, Rhett Schildroth, Merlan Rolffs, Michael J. Myers, John Kollman, John P. Mulherin
  • Publication number: 20190274240
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Courtney N. Achen, Marvin Bachman, Vaughan G. Stevenson
  • Publication number: 20190191621
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Inventors: LAURA B. BLOMME, COURTNEY N. ACHEN
  • Patent number: 10327374
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Courtney N. Achen, Marvin Bachman, Vaughan G. Stevenson
  • Patent number: 10219421
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Courtney N. Achen, Marvin L. Bachman, Vaughan G. Stevenson
  • Patent number: 10219430
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Laura B. Blomme, Courtney N. Achen
  • Patent number: 10064323
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Dustan Hahn, Merlan Rolffs, John P. Mulherin, Courtney N. Achen, Gary Volz, Steve Nolte, Ryan Legge, Rhett Schildroth
  • Publication number: 20180035597
    Abstract: An agricultural planter includes systems, methods, and apparatus for providing 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 provide and 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: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Inventors: COURTNEY N. ACHEN, MARVIN BACHMAN, RHETT SCHILDROTH, MERLAN ROLFFS, MICHAEL J. MYERS, JOHN KOLLMAN, JOHN P. MULHERIN
  • Publication number: 20170367255
    Abstract: An agricultural implement is provided that 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: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: MATTHEW J. WILHELMI, MARVIN BACHMAN, DUSTAN HAHN, MICHAEL J. MYERS, VAUGHAN STEVENSON, ROBERT BLACKWELL, COURTNEY N. ACHEN
  • Publication number: 20170339824
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: LAURA B. BLOMME, COURTNEY N. ACHEN
  • Patent number: 9814172
    Abstract: An agricultural planter includes systems, methods, and apparatus for providing 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 provide and 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: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Courtney N. Achen, Marvin Bachman, Rhett Schildroth, Merlan Rolffs, Michael J. Myers, John Kollman, John P. Mulherin