Patents by Inventor Craig E. Wenzel

Craig E. Wenzel 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: 10757865
    Abstract: An agricultural material baling system comprises, in one example, a bale forming component configured to form a bale of agricultural material from a terrain, and a control system configured to determine that the bale is to be released from the baling system onto the terrain, determine that a current location of the baling system has a slope above a threshold, determine a different location, that is spaced apart from the current location, for releasing the bale onto the terrain, and provide an output indicative of the different location. In one example, the control system is configured to receive yield data indicative of a volume of agricultural material in a path of the baler and to control the baling system based on the yield data. In one example, the yield data is obtained from a raking operation that rakes the agricultural material into a windrow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Nathan A. Chaney, Craig E. Wenzel, Alex D. Foessel, Henry D. Anstey, Jeremy M. Erdmann, Rodrigo H. Nomura, Anand Gupta
  • Patent number: 10705490
    Abstract: A communication system facilitates a closed loop, two-way communication network between machines at a worksite and a remote processing facility. A management and control system receives operations data and generates recommended adjustments to the worksite operations. A manager system provides manager outputs over the communication network to adjust operations of the machines at the worksite based on the recommended adjustments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Brian J. Gilmore, Craig E. Wenzel, Kerry J. Morvant, Timothy S. Hunt, Jan Wyckoff, Vickie L. Ellis
  • Publication number: 20190025775
    Abstract: A communication system facilitates a closed loop, two-way communication network between machines at a worksite and a remote processing facility. A management and control system receives operations data and generates recommended adjustments to the worksite operations. A manager system provides manager outputs over the communication network to adjust operations of the machines at the worksite based on the recommended adjustments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: Brian J. Gilmore, Craig E. Wenzel, Kerry J. Morvant, Timothy S. Hunt, Jan Wyckoff, Vickie L. Ellis
  • Patent number: 10114348
    Abstract: A communication system facilitates a closed loop, two-way communication network between machines at a worksite and a remote processing facility. A management and control system receives operations data and generates recommended adjustments to the worksite operations. A manager system provides manager outputs over the communication network to adjust operations of the machines at the worksite based on the recommended adjustments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Brian J. Gilmore, Craig E Wenzel, Kerry J. Morvant, Timothy S. Hunt, Jan Wyckoff, Vickie L. Ellis
  • Publication number: 20180184594
    Abstract: An agricultural material baling system comprises, in one example, a bale forming component configured to form a bale of agricultural material from a terrain, and a control system configured to determine that the bale is to be released from the baling system onto the terrain, determine that a current location of the baling system has a slope above a threshold, determine a different location, that is spaced apart from the current location, for releasing the bale onto the terrain, and provide an output indicative of the different location. In one example, the control system is configured to receive yield data indicative of a volume of agricultural material in a path of the baler and to control the baling system based on the yield data. In one example, the yield data is obtained from a raking operation that rakes the agricultural material into a windrow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: Nathan A. Chaney, Craig E. Wenzel, Alex D. Foessel, Henry D. Anstey, Jeremy M. Erdmann, Rodrigo H. Nomura, Anand Gupta
  • Patent number: 9930834
    Abstract: An agricultural material baling system comprises, in one example, a bale forming component configured to form a bale of agricultural material from a terrain, and a control system configured to determine that the bale is to be released from the baling system onto the terrain, determine that a current location of the baling system has a slope above a threshold, determine a different location, that is spaced apart from the current location, for releasing the bale onto the terrain, and provide an output indicative of the different location. In one example, the control system is configured to receive yield data indicative of a volume of agricultural material in a path of the baler and to control the baling system based on the yield data. In one example, the yield data is obtained from a raking operation that rakes the agricultural material into a windrow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Nathan A. Chaney, Craig E. Wenzel, Alex D. Foessel, Henry D. Anstey, Jeremy M. Erdmann, Rodrigo H. Nomura, Anand Gupta
  • Patent number: 9772625
    Abstract: A reference model generates a model output indicative of modeled operations of one or more worksites. The model output is compared against actual operation data indicative of actual worksite operations. A recommendation engine generates recommendations to adjust the worksite operations so that they more closely conform to the model operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Brian J. Gilmore, Craig E. Wenzel, Kerry J. Morvant, Timothy S. Hunt, Jan M. Wyckoff, Vickie L. Ellis
  • Publication number: 20170118918
    Abstract: An agricultural material baling system comprises, in one example, a bale forming component configured to form a bale of agricultural material from a terrain, and a control system configured to determine that the bale is to be released from the baling system onto the terrain, determine that a current location of the baling system has a slope above a threshold, determine a different location, that is spaced apart from the current location, for releasing the bale onto the terrain, and provide an output indicative of the different location. In one example, the control system is configured to receive yield data indicative of a volume of agricultural material in a path of the baler and to control the baling system based on the yield data. In one example, the yield data is obtained from a raking operation that rakes the agricultural material into a windrow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Nathan A. Chaney, Craig E. Wenzel, Alex D. Foessel, Henry D. Anstey, Jeremy M. Erdmann, Rodrigo H. Nomura, Anand Gupta
  • Patent number: 9402344
    Abstract: A sugarcane harvester and related method are disclosed for powering various sugarcane harvester operations. An energy storage device may be configured to receive electrical power from one or more electric machines for storage. The energy storage device may be configured to provide electrical power to the one or more electric machines to power operation of the one or more electric machines. An operating state of the sugarcane harvester may be identified, wherein the operating state is associated with one or more of a power requirement, a torque requirement, and an engine speed requirement for the sugarcane harvester. Based upon identifying the operating state, the one or more electric machines may be caused to receive electrical power from the energy storage device for conversion by the one or more electric machines to mechanical power, in order to power an operation of the sugarcane harvester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Craig E. Wenzel, Alan D. Sheidler, Kent M. Almeida
  • Publication number: 20160205869
    Abstract: A sugarcane harvester and related method are disclosed for powering various sugarcane harvester operations. An energy storage device may be configured to receive electrical power from one or more electric machines for storage. The energy storage device may be configured to provide electrical power to the one or more electric machines to power operation of the one or more electric machines. An operating state of the sugarcane harvester may be identified, wherein the operating state is associated with one or more of a power requirement, a torque requirement, and an engine speed requirement for the sugarcane harvester. Based upon identifying the operating state, the one or more electric machines may be caused to receive electrical power from the energy storage device for conversion by the one or more electric machines to mechanical power, in order to power an operation of the sugarcane harvester.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventors: CRAIG E. WENZEL, ALAN D. SHEIDLER, KENT M. ALMEIDA
  • Publication number: 20150323913
    Abstract: A communication system facilitates a closed loop, two-way communication network between machines at a worksite and a remote processing facility. A management and control system receives operations data and generates recommended adjustments to the worksite operations. A manager system provides manager outputs over the communication network to adjust operations of the machines at the worksite based on the recommended adjustments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Brian J. Gilmore, Craig E. Wenzel, Kerry J. Morvant, Timothy S. Hunt, Jan Wyckoff, Vickie L. Ellis
  • Publication number: 20150324719
    Abstract: A reference model generates a model output indicative of modeled operations of one or more worksites. The model output is compared against actual operation data indicative of actual worksite operations. A recommendation engine generates recommendations to adjust the worksite operations so that they more closely conform to the model operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Brian J. Gilmore, Craig E. Wenzel, Kerry J. Morvant, Timothy S. Hunt, Jan M. Wyckoff, Vickie L. Ellis
  • Publication number: 20140121882
    Abstract: A system for coordinating the relative movements of an agricultural harvester (104) and a cart (108) by electronically estimating an unload position at which it the agricultural harvester (104) should be unloaded, and electronically calculating a path for the cart (108) to follow to arrive at that unload position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Inventors: Brian J. Gilmore, Craig E. Wenzel, William A. Brockmann, Ryan B Hamor, Stephen E. Meinzen
  • Patent number: 5553683
    Abstract: A variable assist power steering system for a motor vehicle has an electronically controlled working pressure valve which normally maintains a working pressure at a relief pressure but increases it in response to steering of the vehicle and according to vehicle status, such as vehicle speed. The system also has electronically controlled direction control valves which are actuated to selectively reduce the working pressure to one side or the other of the steering gear piston so as to match a measured handwheel torque with a value which is desired for the vehicle status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Applied Power Inc.
    Inventors: Craig E. Wenzel, Thomas J. Stobbs, James R. Ward
  • Patent number: 5518219
    Abstract: A proportional pressure control valve has a poppet including a control pin for seating against the seat and which is pressed into a generally tubular armature. One end of the armature proximal to the seat has an enlarged diameter and fits into a cup shaped recess of the housing in an extreme position of the poppet. A smaller diameter of the armature is journaled in a magnetic sleeve bearing at a distal end of the poppet and the control pin is journaled in a sleeve bearing at the proximal end of the popper. A plastic plug covers the distal end of the armature and an annular gap is created at the distal end of the armature bearing between the armature and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: Applied Power Inc.
    Inventors: Craig E. Wenzel, Thomas J. Stobbs