Patents by Inventor Derek Sauder

Derek Sauder 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).

  • Seed meter with floating singulator
    Patent number: 10863665
    Abstract: A seed meter for an agricultural planter in which the seed disc is rotatably mounted within a seed meter housing. As the seed disc rotates, the apertures in the disc rotate along a seed aperture path through a horizontally adjacent seed pool area. The seed disc includes cavities disposed along the seed aperture path to agitate the seeds in the seed pool area. A singulator having multiple co-planar singulator surfaces is biased against the seed side surface of the seed disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Derek Sauder, Tim Schaefer
  • Apparatus, systems and methods for row unit downforce control
    Patent number: 10834863
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for controlling the downforce applied to a row unit of an agricultural implement having multiple row units. A downpressure control device in fluid communication with a down chamber of the least one actuator maintains as a selected downpressure, any one of a continuous range of pressures in the downpressure chamber. Pressure in the down chamber tending to oppose pressure in the lift chamber of the at least one actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Derek A. Sauder, Ian R. Radtke, Jason J. Stoller
  • SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS FOR AGRICULTURAL LIQUID APPLICATION
    Publication number: 20200352086
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for monitoring soil properties and applying fertilizer during a planting operation. Various sensors are disposed in ground engaging components for monitoring soil properties. The ground engaging components may have structure for opening a side trench in the sidewalls of the seed trench and may include liquid application conduits for injecting liquid into the sidewalls of the resulting side trenches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: Jason Stoller, Justin Koch, Brian McMahon, Derek Sauder, Ian Radtke, Michael Strnad, Dale Koch, Matthew Morgan, Tracy Leman, Paul Wildermuth
  • METHODS FOR GENERATING SOIL MAPS AND APPLICATION PRESCRIPTIONS
    Publication number: 20200342633
    Abstract: Methods are provided for generating a prescription map for the application of crop inputs. In one method, the user draws a boundary on a map within a user interface and the system identifies relevant soil data and generates a soil map overlay and legend for changing the application prescription for various soils and soil conditions. In another method, the user instead drives a field boundary which is recorded on a planter monitor using a global positioning receiver, and the system generates a soil map and legend for changing the application prescription.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: Derek A. Sauder, Timothy A. Sauder, Steven D. Monday
  • AGRICULTURAL TRENCH CLOSING SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20200337224
    Abstract: An agricultural row unit includes a gauge wheel and a soil-penetrating tool. A sensor is coupled to the soil penetrating tool and the gauge wheel and produces an output corresponding to changes detecting between the position of the gauge wheel and the soil penetrating tool A control system is coupled to an actuator configured to apply a downward pressure on the soil-penetrating tool, wherein the control system receives the output from the sensor for controlling the actuator and the downward pressure on the soil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: Derek Sauder, Jeremy Hodel, Cory Muhlbauer
  • Liquid application apparatus comprising a seed firmer
    Patent number: 10785905
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for monitoring soil properties and applying fertilizer during a planting operation. Various sensors are disposed in ground engaging components for monitoring soil properties. The ground engaging components may have structure for opening a side trench in the sidewalls of the seed trench and may include liquid application conduits for injecting liquid into the sidewalls of the resulting side trenches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Jason Stoller, Justin Koch, Brian McMahon, Derek Sauder, Ian Radtke, Michael Strnad, Dale Koch, Matthew Morgan, Tracy Leman, Paul Wildermuth
  • SEED METER
    Publication number: 20200296881
    Abstract: A seed meter for an agricultural planter in which the seed disc is rotatably mounted within a seed meter housing. As the seed disc rotates, the apertures in the disc rotate along a seed aperture path through a horizontally adjacent seed pool area. The seed disc includes cavities disposed along the seed aperture path to agitate the seeds in the seed pool area. A singulator having multiple co-planar singulator surfaces is biased against the seed side surface of the seed disc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventor: Derek Sauder (deceased)
  • SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS FOR SOIL AND SEED MONITORING
    Publication number: 20200296885
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for monitoring soil properties and applying fertilizer during a planting operation. Various sensors are disposed in ground engaging components for monitoring soil properties. The ground engaging components may have structure for opening a side trench in the sidewalls of the seed trench and may include liquid application conduits for injecting liquid into the sidewalls of the resulting side trenches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventors: Jason Stoller, Justin Koch, Brian McMahon, Derek Sauder, Ian Radtke, Michael Strnad, Dale Koch, Matthew Morgan, Tracy Leman, Paul Wildermuth
  • DYNAMIC SUPPLEMENTAL DOWNFORCE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR PLANTER ROW UNITS
    Publication number: 20200267885
    Abstract: A dynamic supplemental downforce control system for a planter row unit. The system includes closed-loop feedback circuit that cooperates with a downforce actuator to dynamically control fluid flow to the downforce actuator to maintain balance between the actual gauge wheel downforce and a desired gauge wheel downforce during planting operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: Derek A. Sauder, Jeremy J. Hodel
  • Systems, methods and apparatus for multi-row agricultural implement control and monitoring
    Patent number: 10729064
    Abstract: A monitoring system for an agricultural implement having a plurality of row units. Each of the row units includes a seed meter configured to dispense seeds and a seed conveyor disposed to receive seeds from the seed meter and guide the seeds toward the soil surface. The monitor system includes a monitor and a control module. The control module is in data communication with the monitor, the seed meter and the seed conveyor for controlling a rate of the seed meter and a rate of the seed conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Phil Baurer, Tim Sauder, Jason Stoller, Derek Sauder, Jeremy Hodel
  • Agricultural seed trench closing systems, methods and apparatus
    Patent number: 10721858
    Abstract: A closing wheel assembly for an agricultural planter row unit. The closing wheel assembly includes a pivot arm having a forward end pivotally mounted to a frame of the planter row unit. A first closing wheel is rotatably supported by the pivot arm about a first axis of rotation. A second closing wheel is rotatably supported by the pivot arm about a second axis of rotation. An actuator applies a force on the pivot arm rearward of the first and second axes of rotation to modify a force between the closing wheels and the soil surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Derek Sauder, Jeremy Hodel, Cory Muhlbauer
  • Methods for generating soil maps and application prescriptions
    Patent number: 10713819
    Abstract: Methods are provided for generating a prescription map for the application of crop inputs. In one method, the user draws a boundary on a map within a user interface and the system identifies relevant soil data and generates a soil map overlay and legend for changing the application prescription for various soils and soil conditions. In another method, the user instead drives a field boundary which is recorded on a planter monitor using a global positioning receiver, and the system generates a soil map and legend for changing the application prescription.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: The Climate Corporation
    Inventors: Derek A. Sauder, Timothy A. Sauder, Steven D. Monday
  • Agricultural input selection systems, methods and apparatus
    Patent number: 10694659
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for selecting an agricultural input. First and second inputs are in communication with a seed meter. A selection apparatus constrains the seed meter to deposit only one of the input sources such that the seed meter alternates between depositing the first and second inputs. Processing circuitry controls the selection apparatus to alternate between the first and second inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Derek Sauder, Todd Swanson, Troy Plattner
  • Dynamic supplemental downforce control system for planter row units
    Patent number: 10681854
    Abstract: A dynamic supplemental downforce control system for a planter row unit. The system includes closed-loop feedback circuit that cooperates with a downforce actuator to dynamically control fluid flow to the downforce actuator to maintain balance between the actual gauge wheel downforce and a desired gauge wheel downforce during planting operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Derek A. Sauder, Jeremy J. Hodel
  • Systems, methods, and apparatus for soil and seed monitoring
    Patent number: 10681862
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for monitoring soil properties and applying fertilizer during a planting operation. Various sensors are disposed in ground engaging components for monitoring soil properties. The ground engaging components may have structure for opening a side trench in the sidewalls of the seed trench and may include liquid application conduits for injecting liquid into the sidewalls of the resulting side trenches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: THE CLIMATE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jason Stoller, Justin Koch, Brian McMahon, Derek Sauder, Ian Radtke, Michael Strnad, Dale Koch, Matthew Morgan, Tracy Leman, Paul Wildermuth
  • AGRICULTURAL TRENCH DEPTH SENSING SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20200149923
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for determining the depth of a trench opened by an agricultural planter. Sensors are provided for detecting the position of a ground-engaging element of the planter such as a gauge wheel or seed firmer of a row unit of the planter. Apparatus and methods are provided for installing such sensors onto a row unit of the planter. Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for controlling downpressure on a row unit based on the trench depth. Methods are provided for mapping trench depth measured by the depth sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Derek Sauder, Jason Stoller, Ian Radtke, Kent Levy
  • Systems, methods, and apparatus for agricultural implement trench depth control and soil monitoring
    Patent number: 10609857
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for monitoring soil properties including soil moisture and soil temperature during an agricultural input application. Embodiments include a soil moisture sensor and/or a soil temperature sensor mounted to a seed firmer for measuring moisture and temperature in a planting trench. Additionally, systems, methods and apparatus are provided for adjusting depth based on the monitored soil properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Derek Sauder, Jason Stoller, Troy Plattner
  • METHODS FOR GENERATING SOIL MAPS AND APPLICATION PRESCRIPTIONS
    Publication number: 20200082577
    Abstract: Methods are provided for generating a prescription map for the application of crop inputs. In one method, the user draws a boundary on a map within a user interface and the system identifies relevant soil data and generates a soil map overlay and legend for changing the application prescription for various soils and soil conditions. In another method, the user instead drives a field boundary which is recorded on a planter monitor using a global positioning receiver, and the system generates a soil map and legend for changing the application prescription.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Derek A. Sauder, Timothy A. Sauder, Steven D. Monday
  • Load sensing pin for an agricultural implement
    Patent number: 10548254
    Abstract: A load sensing pin disposed to receive a load applied in a direction substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of the pin. A load sensor is substantially fixedly oriented with respect to the applied load or alternatively with respect to the pin which is rotationally restrained with respect to a support structure. The load sensor is disposed to generate a load signal corresponding to strain of the pin resulting from the applied load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Gregg A. Sauder, Derek A. Sauder, Justin Koch
  • Seed disc having an ejector wheel and a guide wheel
    Patent number: 10542664
    Abstract: A seed meter for an agricultural planter having a seed disc rotating in a direction of travel. The seed disc includes a seed side surface and a vacuum side and a plurality of seed apertures. A plurality of guide cavities are disposed on the vacuum side adjacent to the seed apertures. The seed meter includes a seed ejector assembly having a lever arm supporting an ejector wheel and a guide wheel. The lever arm is biased toward the vacuum side of the seed disc such that the ejector wheel engages the see apertures and the guide wheel engages the guide cavities as the seed disc rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventor: Derek Sauder