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).

  • Stalk sensor apparatus, systems, and methods
    Patent number: 9894835
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for detecting stalks processed by a combine harvester, for measuring stalk diameters, and for displaying harvest metrics and yield data to a user based on stalk locations and stalk diameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: The Climate Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy A. Sauder, Derek A. Sauder, Justin L. Koch, Troy L. Plattner, David Huber
  • IMPLEMENT WEIGHT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20180042168
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for managing implement weight. In some embodiments, a position sensor is used to determine a position of the wing section and a downforce applied to the wing is modified in order to lower the wing section. In some embodiments, the position sensor indicates the position of a wing wheel assembly of the wing section. In other embodiments, the position sensor indicates the position of a center wheel assembly of a center section of the implement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Derek Sauder (deceased), Jason Stoller
  • Systems, methods, and apparatus for multi-row agricultural implement control and monitoring
    Patent number: 9872424
    Abstract: A monitoring system and method for modify a motor speed driving a seed conveyor on an implement so that the seed release speed is matched to the travel speed of the implement. A speed sensor measures the travel speed of the implement. A seed conveyor having a plurality of flights receives seeds from a seed meter. A monitor is in communication with the speed sensor, the motor driving the seed conveyor, a first sensor disposed to detect the passing of seeds and the flights as they travel toward the soil and a second sensor disposed to detect the passing of flights after the seed is released, wherein the monitor modifies the motor speed of the conveyor based on the speed sensor and signals generated by the first sensor and second sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    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: 9848524
    Abstract: A closing wheel assembly is provided for a row unit agricultural planter. The planter is configured to open a trench in the soil and the closing wheel assembly is configured to close the trench. A resilient flap is provided for firming and leveling the soil returned to the trench by the closing wheel assembly. Pivotally mounted offset closing wheels are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Derek Sauder, Jeremy Hodel, Cory Muhlbauer
  • Dyanmic supplemental downforce control system for planter row units
    Patent number: 9848523
    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 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Precision Planting, LLC
    Inventors: Derek A. Sauder, Jeremy J. Hodel
  • VARIABLE PRESSURE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR DUAL ACTING ACTUATORS
    Publication number: 20170363113
    Abstract: A variable pressure control system for varying pressures in the fluid circuits of a dual acting actuator over a range of pressures. The variable pressure control system includes a controller that cooperates with pressure regulators for regulating the desired pressure in the fluid circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Derek A. Sauder, Jeremy J. Hodel
  • AGRICULTURAL TRENCH DEPTH SENSING SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20170359944
    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: September 1, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Derek Sauder, Jason Stoller, Ian Radtke, Kent Levy
  • AGRICULTURAL TRENCH DEPTH SENSING SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20170359945
    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: September 1, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Derek Sauder, Jason Stoller, Ian Radtke, Kent Levy
  • SEED METER
    Publication number: 20170311536
    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: July 18, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventor: Derek Sauder
  • SEED METER
    Publication number: 20170311535
    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: July 18, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventor: Derek Sauder
  • Implement weight management systems, methods, and apparatus
    Patent number: 9801322
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for managing implement weight. In some embodiments, a position sensor is used to determine a position of the wing section and a downforce applied to the wing is modified in order to lower the wing section. In some embodiments, the position sensor indicates the position of a wing wheel assembly of the wing section. In other embodiments, the position sensor indicates the position of a center wheel assembly of a center section of the implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Derek Sauder, Jason Stoller
  • METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND APPARATUS FOR MONITORING YIELD AND VEHICLE WEIGHT
    Publication number: 20170265391
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for monitoring yield while harvesting. In one embodiment a mass flow rate sensor measures the mass flow rate of the harvested grain. A weight sensor measures the weight of the harvested grain. The measured mass flow rate is correlated with the weight of the harvested grain. Processing circuitry calculates any error in the measured mass flow rate using the measured weight. The calculated error is used to correct any inaccuracy in the measured mass flow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Justin L. Koch, Derek A. Sauder
  • Agricultural trench depth sensing systems, methods, and apparatus
    Patent number: 9750174
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Derek Sauder, Jason Stoller, Ian Radtke, Kent Levy
  • Variable pressure control system for dual acting actuators
    Patent number: 9752596
    Abstract: A variable pressure control system for varying pressures in the fluid circuits of a dual acting actuator over a range of pressures. The variable pressure control system includes a controller that cooperates with pressure regulators for regulating the desired pressure in the fluid circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Derek A. Sauder, Jeremy J. Hodel
  • Methods, systems, and apparatus for monitoring yield and vehicle weight
    Patent number: 9668411
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for monitoring yield while harvesting. In one embodiment a mass flow rate sensor measures the mass flow rate of the harvested grain. A weight sensor measures the weight of the harvested grain. The measured mass flow rate is correlated with the weight of the harvested grain. Processing circuitry calculates any error in the measured mass flow rate using the measured weight. The calculated error is used to correct any inaccuracy in the measured mass flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Justin L. Koch, Derek A. Sauder
  • Plot placement systems and methods
    Patent number: 9629306
    Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing a plot in a field based on the location of a marker placed in an application prescription map prior to a crop input application operation. The plot defines a plot region. The plot region is defined during the crop input application operation based on the marker location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: The Climate Corporation
    Inventors: Derek Sauder, Doug Sauder, Phil Baurer, Timothy Sauder
  • DYANMIC SUPPLEMENTAL DOWNFORCE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR PLANTER ROW UNITS
    Publication number: 20170086347
    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: December 8, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Derek A. Sauder, Jeremy J. Hodel
  • SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS FOR AGRICULTURAL LIQUID APPLICATION
    Publication number: 20170049044
    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: November 8, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    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
    Patent number: 9532496
    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 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Derek A. Sauder, Jeremy J. Hodel
  • Seed singulator
    Patent number: RE46461
    Abstract: A seed singulator for use with a vacuum disk having a seed face and a shoulder. The seed singulator has a first member and a second member supported by biasing members. The first member has upper lobes disposed at a radius of curvature slightly less than the outside radius of a row of apertures on a seed plane of the vacuum disk. The seed member has lower lobes disposed at a radius of curvature slightly greater than the inside radius than the row of apradius. The biasing members permit the lobes to move with the seed plane and the shoulder as the vacuum disk rotates thereby maintaining their position with respect to the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Gregg A. Sauder, Derek A. Sauder, Justin L. Koch, Chad E. Plattner