Patents by Inventor Dan R. Upchurch

Dan R. Upchurch 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).

  • Biologically-identified optimal temperature interactive console (Biotic) for managing irrigation
    Patent number: 5539637
    Abstract: A process and device for managing irrigation of plants or crops using crop canopy temperate measurements by use of a specific time threshold. In this process, the canopy temperature of the target plant is repeatedly measured with an infrared thermometer. After each measurement, the canopy temperature is compared with a predetermined threshold canopy temperature, above which temperature the plant is thermally stressed. If the measured canopy temperature is less than or equal to the threshold canopy temperature, or if the existing humidity is restrictive to plant cooling, then irrigation is not indicated and the canopy temperature measurement is repeated at its designated time. However, if both the measured canopy temperature is greater than the threshold temperature, and the humidity is not restrictive to plant cooling, then an increment of time is added to a time register.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Dan R. Upchurch, Donald F. Wanjura, John J. Burke, James R. Mahan