Patents by Inventor David A. Becker

David A. Becker 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).

  • Publication number: 20240268272
    Abstract: A knotter assembly (40) is operable to produce two successive knots (70,68) in a pair of strands of binding material during one full operating cycle of the knotter assembly to secure a formed bale. The knotter assembly includes a billhook (82) configured to perform at least a first full rotation around its rotation axis during formation of a first (70) of the knots and a second full rotation around its rotation axis (228) during formation of a second (68) of the knots. The knotter assembly includes a twine holder (87) and a cutter (94) co-operating with the twine holder (87) for severing the strands during formation of the first one of the successive knots. The knotter assembly (40) includes twine discs having a plurality of notches (200) spaced around the outer circumference. the plurality of notches (200) including a first set of notches having a first shape and a second set of notches having a second shape different than the first shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Inventors: David A. BECKER, Lucas Andrew WELLER, Allen J. Kuhn
  • Publication number: 20230345880
    Abstract: A knotter assembly is used with a baler and configured to form knots in strands of a binding material used to secure a formed bale. The knotter assembly has a rotatably driven knotter disc, a rotary billhook driven by the knotter disc, and a twine disc assembly positioned adjacent the billhook for holding strands of binding material in position for engagement by the billhook. The billhook includes a billhook casting forming a platform, and a billhook tongue connected at a pivot point with the billhook casting. The platform has a first raised lip and a second raised lip forming a channel therebetween configured to receive the billhook tongue so as to firmly grasp the binding material. An upper surface of the first raised lip extends above an upper surface of the second raised lip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2021
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: David A. Becker, Sascha Reichert
  • Patent number: 11666003
    Abstract: A bale binding mechanism is configured to secure a strand of binding material around a bale of severed crop material. The bale binding mechanism includes a chassis, a knotter head assembly, and a captive lock. The knotter head assembly is operable to form at least one knot in the strand of binding material. The knotter head assembly includes a knotter head frame swingably mounted relative to the chassis and rotatable into and out of an operating position where the knotter head assembly can form the at least one knot. The captive lock is shiftably supported by one of the chassis and the knotter head frame. The captive lock is removably engaged with the other one of the chassis and the knotter head frame to secure the knotter head assembly in the operating position, with the captive lock being releasable to permit rotation of the knotter head assembly out of the operating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery A. Baldauf, David A. Becker, Patrick Kendrick
  • Publication number: 20220071099
    Abstract: A bale binding mechanism is configured to secure a strand of binding material around a bale of severed crop material. The bale binding mechanism includes a chassis, a knotter head assembly, and a captive lock. The knotter head assembly is operable to form at least one knot in the strand of binding material. The knotter head assembly includes a knotter head frame swingably mounted relative to the chassis and rotatable into and out of an operating position where the knotter head assembly can form the at least one knot. The captive lock is shiftably supported by one of the chassis and the knotter head frame. The captive lock is removably engaged with the other one of the chassis and the knotter head frame to secure the knotter head assembly in the operating position, with the captive lock being releasable to permit rotation of the knotter head assembly out of the operating position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Applicant: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery A. Baldauf, David A. Becker, Patrick Kendrick
  • Patent number: 11051457
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a variable width twine disc assembly, comprising: a fixed assembly comprising a first disc (24) having notches spaced along a periphery of the first disc (24) and a shaft (28); and a second disc (22) having notches spaced along a periphery of the second disc (22) and configured to be moveably adjusted along the shaft (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Robert L. Figger, David A. Becker
  • Publication number: 20190269074
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a variable width twine disc assembly, comprising: a fixed assembly comprising a first disc (24) having notches spaced along a periphery of the first disc (24) and a shaft (28); and a second disc (22) having notches spaced along a periphery of the second disc (22) and configured to be moveably adjusted along the shaft (28).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Publication date: September 5, 2019
    Inventors: Robert L. Figger, David A. BECKER
  • Publication number: 20190053437
    Abstract: A knotter assembly for a baler, the knotter assembly configured to form knots in strands of a binding material used to secure a formed bale. The knotter assembly includes a generally circular knotter disc, a rotary billhook, and a pinion which is disposed for meshing engagement with a pair of circumferentially spaced gear stretches on the knotter disc such that rotational movement of the billhook is driven by the knotter disc through engagement of the gear stretches with the pinion. The billhook includes a billhook shaft, wherein the billhook shaft has a notch formed along a portion of the billhook shaft that extends parallel to an axis of the billhook shaft. The pinion includes a key that extends into a pinion opening configured to receive the billhook shaft such that the key engages with the notch to connect the pinion with the billhook.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Robert L. FIGGER, David A. Becker, Patrick Kendrick
  • Publication number: 20190053436
    Abstract: A knotter assembly for a baler, the knotter assembly configured to form knots in strands of a binding material used to secure a formed bale. The knotter assembly includes a generally circular knotter disc, a rotary billhook, and a pinion which is disposed for meshing engagement with a pair of circumferentially spaced gear stretches on the knotter disc such that rotational movement of the billhook is driven by the knotter disc through engagement of the gear stretches with the pinion. The billhook includes a billhook shaft, wherein the billhook shaft is received in an opening of the pinion. A retaining clip engages the billhook shaft to couple the billhook with the pinion. The retaining clip is C-shaped with a mouth configured to receive the billhook shaft and teeth that engage a groove around at least a portion of the circumference of the billhook shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Robert L. FIGGER, David A. Becker, Patrick Kendrick
  • Patent number: 9901905
    Abstract: A monolith for catalytic or sorbent purposes. The monolith includes a substrate sheet having attached thereto a plurality of catalytic or sorbent beads. Each bead has a diameter of at least fifty microns. The substrate sheet at least partially defines one or more channels through the monolith. Fluid flowing through the channels will contact the beads for catalytic or sorbent purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Johnson Matthey Public Limited Company
    Inventors: William A. Whittenberger, Lorne W. Deyoung, Todd A. Romesberg, David A. Becker, Snezana Aleksic
  • Patent number: 9603309
    Abstract: A knotter assembly for a baler allows for two bow knots to be formed per knotter tie cycle using a single drive cam gear and two bill hooks while maintaining needle penetration requirements. The knotter assembly includes a first twine disc driven by a first twine disc drive gear and a second twine disc driven by a second twine disc drive gear. The knotter assembly includes a first bill hook driven by a first bill hook drive gear and a second bill hook driven by a second bill hook drive gear. The knotter assembly also includes a cam gear driving the bill hook drive gears and the twine disc drive gears and a main knotter drive shaft driving the cam gear. A needle is located adjacent the twine discs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventor: David A. Becker
  • Publication number: 20170000034
    Abstract: A knotter assembly for a baler allows for two bow knots to be formed per knotter tie cycle using a single drive cam gear and two bill hooks while maintaining needle penetration requirements. The knotter assembly includes a first twine disc driven by a first twine disc drive gear and a second twine disc driven by a second twine disc drive gear. The knotter assembly includes a first bill hook driven by a first bill hook drive gear and a second bill hook driven by a second bill hook drive gear. The knotter assembly also includes a cam gear driving the bill hook drive gears and the twine disc drive gears and a main knotter drive shaft driving the cam gear. A needle is located adjacent the twine discs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventor: David A. BECKER
  • Patent number: 9156862
    Abstract: Silylated nitrones and methods of detecting and/or superoxide using silylated nitrones are disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: THE FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
    Inventors: David A. Becker, Relina Tamrakar
  • Patent number: 8863385
    Abstract: A reactor including a monolith having a plurality of fins in an annular arrangement for receiving fluid flow through the reactor. The monolith is disposed within a generally cylindrical outer tube, and around a corrugated inner tube. The reactor includes a device for urging the monolith radially outward, so as to maintain contact between the monolith and the outer tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Matthey Public Limited Company
    Inventors: William A. Whittenberger, David A. Becker, Randall J. Bartos
  • Publication number: 20140296184
    Abstract: Silylated nitrones and methods of detecting and/or superoxide using silylated nitrones are disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: David A. Becker, Relina Tamrakar
  • Publication number: 20140264071
    Abstract: A flow diverting lens through which sanitizing light is transmitted. The flow diverting lens alters fluid flow to enhance fluid exposure to the sanitizing light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: GEA FARM TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: David A. Becker, Sean W. Daley
  • Patent number: 8763249
    Abstract: A reactor installation tool and method for installing a reactor unit in a reactor tube. A reactor installation tool including a movable assembly and a fixed assembly linked together such that the movable assembly can be adjusted relative to the fixed assembly. The movable assembly including a reactor sleeve attachment means for releasably securing a reactor sleeve loaded with a reactor unit to the tool. The fixed assembly including an expandable clamping unit for releasably securing the tool to a reactor tube. A reactor unit can be installed in the reactor tube by adjusting the movable assembly to extract the reactor unit from the reactor sleeve as the fixed assembly is rigidly secured to the reactor tube. The fixed assembly can be released from the reactor tube and the reactor installation tool can be removed from the reactor tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Catacel, Corp.
    Inventors: William A. Whittenberger, David A. Becker, Randall J. Bartos
  • Publication number: 20130291383
    Abstract: A reactor installation tool and method for installing a reactor unit in a reactor tube. A reactor installation tool including a movable assembly and a fixed assembly linked together such that the movable assembly can be adjusted relative to the fixed assembly. The movable assembly including a reactor sleeve attachment means for releasably securing a reactor sleeve loaded with a reactor unit to the tool. The fixed assembly including an expandable clamping unit for releasably securing the tool to a reactor tube. A reactor unit can be installed in the reactor tube by adjusting the movable assembly to extract the reactor unit from the reactor sleeve as the fixed assembly is rigidly secured to the reactor tube. The fixed assembly can be released from the reactor tube and the reactor installation tool can be removed from the reactor tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: William A. Whittenberger, David A. Becker, Randall J. Bartos
  • Patent number: 8495814
    Abstract: A reactor installation tool and method for installing a reactor unit in a reactor tube. A reactor installation tool including a movable assembly and a fixed assembly linked together such that the movable assembly can be adjusted relative to the fixed assembly. The movable assembly including a reactor sleeve attachment means for releasably securing a reactor sleeve loaded with a reactor unit to the tool. The fixed assembly including an expandable clamping unit for releasably securing the tool to a reactor tube. A reactor unit can be installed in the reactor tube by adjusting the movable assembly to extract the reactor unit from the reactor sleeve as the fixed assembly is rigidly secured to the reactor tube. The fixed assembly can be released from the reactor tube and the reactor installation tool can be removed from the reactor tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Catacel Corp.
    Inventors: William A. Whittenberger, David A. Becker, Randall J. Bartos
  • Publication number: 20130171404
    Abstract: A monolith for catalytic or sorbent purposes. The monolith includes a substrate sheet having attached thereto a plurality of catalytic or sorbent beads. Each bead has a diameter of at least fifty microns. The substrate sheet at least partially defines one or more channels through the monolith. Fluid flowing through the channels will contact the beads for catalytic or sorbent purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: CATACEL CORP.
    Inventors: WILLIAM A. WHITTENBERGER, LORNE W. DEYOUNG, TODD A. ROMESBERG, DAVID A. BECKER, SNEZANA ALEKSIC
  • Patent number: 8448569
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for treating milk and colostrum. The system includes a circulation pump and piping system, a heat exchanger for adjusting and/or maintaining milk temperature, and an ultraviolet light treatment device that treats the milk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: GEA Farm Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin M. Kastenschmidt, Matthew J. Stuessel, David A. Becker, Robert L. Buck, Ralph A. Rottier