Patents by Inventor Grant J. Wonderlich

Grant J. Wonderlich 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: 12364188
    Abstract: Furrows can be opened in a field. Seeds can be delivered to the furrows in the field at different locations in the field. The locations of the seeds in the field can be identified using different types of processing. The different types of process can include event-based processing or frequency-based processing. A material is applied to the field, based upon the seed locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2024
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2025
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Cary S. Hubner, Elijah B. Garner, Grant J. Wonderlich
  • Patent number: 12356885
    Abstract: An agricultural machine includes a seeding system having a seed meter configured to meter seed, a seed meter sensor configured to generate a sensor signal indicative of movement of the seed meter, and an assistive seed transport mechanism configured to receive the metered seed from the seed meter and to transport the metered seed along a delivery path. A control system is configured to determine a position of the seed in the assistive seed transport mechanism based on the sensor signal, and generate a control signal to control the agricultural machine based on the determined position of the seed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2024
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2025
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Grant J. Wonderlich, Cary S. Hubner
  • Patent number: 12356880
    Abstract: An agricultural row unit adapted to be moved over soil by an agricultural planter to clear crop residue includes a residue clearing disk or brush. The row unit may include a motor to drive rotation of a crop residue disk or brush. The agriculture row unit may also include a controller configured to adjust the operating speed of the motor in response to factors internal and/or external to the agricultural row unit. The factors may include at least one of a speed of the agricultural planter along the row, a height of crop residue disk or brush the relative to a surface of the soil, a height of the crop residue disk or brush relative to a surface of the soil, amount of crop residue in the row, and a downforce pressure on the row unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2025
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Cary S. Hubner, Grant J. Wonderlich, Mark E. Barker
  • Patent number: 12256658
    Abstract: An indication of previously-applied material is obtained. A planting machine is controlled to plant seeds based on the indication of the previously-applied material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Justin L. Montenguise, Cary S. Hubner, Grant J. Wonderlich
  • Patent number: 12256664
    Abstract: Locations of seeds in a field can be identified using event-based processing or frequency-based processing. A material is applied to the field, based upon the seed locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Elijah B. Garner, Todd N. Signer, Cary S. Hubner, Grant J. Wonderlich, Kenneth E. Herrmann
  • Publication number: 20250048950
    Abstract: An agricultural machine includes a main frame, an adjustable frame coupled to the main frame and, a row unit which includes a linking arm coupled to the adjustable frame, and an actuator coupled to the main frame and the adjustable frame. The agricultural machine also includes a controller configured to command the actuator to output various downforces to the row units based on signals received from one or more sensors. The one or more sensors are configured to measure one more indicators associated with an actual height of the row unit relative to ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2024
    Publication date: February 13, 2025
    Inventors: Grant J. Wonderlich, Colter W. Kinney, Bradley A. Wackerle, Nathan A. Mariman, James R. Peterson, Randall A. Maro, Kenneth E. Herrmann
  • Publication number: 20250040475
    Abstract: A patterned light from a visualization system mounted on a planter row unit is emitted onto a ground surface. A commodity and/or a product is deposited in the ground surface. Images of the projected patterned light on the trench with the commodity and/or product are captured with the visualization system. A controller determines whether the commodity captured in the image is a boundary commodity relative to a boundary. An error placement of the boundary commodity in the image relative to a boundary is determined using geographical identification metadata. If the error placement is unacceptable, a mechanical delay offset factor of a planter section control coupled with the planter row unit is adjusted. The controller determines a product characterization of the product and an error characterization of the product characterization relative to the location of the commodity. If the error characterization is unacceptable then the mechanical delay offset factor is adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2024
    Publication date: February 6, 2025
    Inventors: Robert T. Casper, Grant J. Wonderlich, Cary S. Hubner
  • Publication number: 20240397846
    Abstract: An agricultural machine includes a main frame, an adjustable frame coupled to the main frame and, a row unit which includes a linking arm coupled to the adjustable frame, and an actuator coupled to the main frame and the adjustable frame. The agricultural machine also includes a controller configured to command the actuator to move to various positions based on signals received from one or more sensors. The one or more sensors are configured to measure one more indicators associated with an actual height of the row unit relative to ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2024
    Publication date: December 5, 2024
    Inventors: Grant J. Wonderlich, Colter W. Kinney, Bradley A. Wackerle, Nathan A. Mariman, James R. Peterson, Randall A. Maro, Kenneth E. Herrmann
  • Publication number: 20240324492
    Abstract: An agricultural machine includes a seeding system having a seed meter configured to meter seed, a seed meter sensor configured to generate a sensor signal indicative of movement of the seed meter, and an assistive seed transport mechanism configured to receive the metered seed from the seed meter and to transport the metered seed along a delivery path. A control system is configured to determine a position of the seed in the assistive seed transport mechanism based on the sensor signal, and generate a control signal to control the agricultural machine based on the determined position of the seed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2024
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Inventors: Grant J. WONDERLICH, Cary S. Hubner
  • Publication number: 20240292779
    Abstract: A tender vehicle transfers material from the tender vehicle to an agricultural work machine. The amount of material transferred is measured and the tender vehicle automatically communicates the amount of material that was transferred to the agricultural work machine. The amount of material to be loaded into the tender vehicle, prior to delivering the material to the agricultural work machine, can also be calculated and used in loading the tender vehicle with the desired amount of material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2023
    Publication date: September 5, 2024
    Inventors: Grant J. WONDERLICH, Benjamin C. POTTER, Nathan R. DEMSKI
  • Patent number: 12063877
    Abstract: An agricultural machine includes a main frame, an adjustable frame coupled to the main frame and, a row unit which includes a linking arm coupled to the adjustable frame, and an actuator coupled to the main frame and the adjustable frame. The agricultural machine also includes a controller configured to command the actuator to output various downforces to the row units based on signals received from one or more sensors. The one or more sensors are configured to measure one more indicators associated with an actual height of the row unit relative to ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Grant J. Wonderlich, Colter W. Kinney, Bradley A. Wackerle, Nathan A. Mariman, James R. Peterson, Randall A. Maro, Kenneth E. Herrmann
  • Publication number: 20240268252
    Abstract: An agricultural planting machine includes a row unit that opens a furrow in a field at which the agricultural planting machine operates and a seed supply system that delivers a seed to the furrow. The agricultural planting machine further includes one or more seed quality sensors that observe the seed as the seed is within the seed supply system and generate sensor data indicative of the quality of the seed. The agricultural planting machine additionally includes a control system that generates seed quality value indicative of a quality of the seed based on the sensor data indicative of the quality of the seed and generates a control signal based on the seed quality value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2023
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Inventors: Grant J. WONDERLICH, Zimin W. VILAR, Bradley W. VAN DE WOESTYNE, Timothy A. WILCOX
  • Patent number: 12058945
    Abstract: An agricultural machine includes a main frame, an adjustable frame coupled to the main frame and, a row unit which includes a linking arm coupled to the adjustable frame, and an actuator coupled to the main frame and the adjustable frame. The agricultural machine also includes a controller configured to command the actuator to move to various positions based on signals received from one or more sensors. The one or more sensors are configured to measure one more indicators associated with an actual height of the row unit relative to ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Grant J. Wonderlich, Colter W. Kinney, Bradley A. Wackerle, Nathan A. Mariman, James R. Peterson, Randall A. Maro, Kenneth E. Herrmann
  • Publication number: 20240260504
    Abstract: Furrows can be opened in a field. Seeds can be delivered to the furrows in the field at different locations in the field. The locations of the seeds in the field can be identified using different types of processing. The different types of process can include event-based processing or frequency-based processing. A material is applied to the field, based upon the seed locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2024
    Publication date: August 8, 2024
    Inventors: Cary S. Hubner, Elijah B. GARNER, Grant J. WONDERLICH
  • Publication number: 20240260520
    Abstract: An agricultural machine applies liquid material to a field. Valve control signals control valves to apply the liquid material. Row pressure on the agricultural machine is sensed to identify when the valve is opened to apply the liquid material. The valve control signals are generated, based on the row pressure, to control the valves to apply the liquid material at a desired location in the field, relative to plant locations in the field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2024
    Publication date: August 8, 2024
    Inventors: Grant J. WONDERLICH, Kenneth E. HERRMANN, Michael C. STEELE, Kilian WOLFF, Gerrit PRUESSMANN
  • Publication number: 20240224859
    Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for automating the collection aggregation, and processing of data relating to harvesting or dispersion of an agricultural product. During harvesting and planting operations, data related to the product harvested or planted can be collected, aggregated, and used to improve the operation, and to help identification of the product at point of sale or point of dispersion. Further, certain operations can be automated during the harvesting or planting, such as automatic deployment of a field cart to offload/load product from/to the agricultural vehicle in the field. Additionally, load data can be automatically collected, aggregated, and identified, to follow the product through all stages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2022
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Applicant: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Michael A. Waldo, Grant J. Wonderlich
  • Publication number: 20240224854
    Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for automating the collection of product harvested from a site, such as grain from a field, and filling truck trailer for transport off site. These techniques can help operations that want to improve efficiency, while reducing field compaction and other issues related to weather or environmental conditions. A predetermined level of product can be identified for the target truck trailer, and an optimized fill method can be determined for filling the truck trailer efficiently using one or more mobile transport containers moving product from the field. A sensor array can detect an amount of the product disposed in the mobile transport container during transfer, and used to fill the mobile transport container to a predetermined level based at least on the optimized fill method. The mobile transport container is then used to fill the target truck-trailer container to its predetermined level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2022
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Applicant: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Michael A. Waldo, Grant J. Wonderlich, Stephen R. Corban
  • Patent number: 12029146
    Abstract: An implement includes a frame having a main section and a wing section pivotally coupled to the main section. A row unit is mounted to the frame wing section to dispense a product to the ground surface. A weight transfer system transfers weight from the frame main section to the frame wing section to reduce the load carried by the main wheel assembly. A row unit downforce system applies a force on the row unit relative to the frame wing section. A pressure transducer measures the force applied by the row unit downforce system and generates a signal indicative of the applied force. A control system operates the weight transfer system in response to the signal from the pressure transducer to assist the row unit downforce system. The control system actuates the weight transfer system to apply an additional force on the frame wing section in response to the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Colter W. Kinney, Grant J. Wonderlich, Michael C. Steele
  • Publication number: 20240147890
    Abstract: An agricultural row unit adapted to be moved over soil by an agricultural planter to clear crop residue includes a residue clearing disk or brush. The row unit may include a motor to drive rotation of a crop residue disk or brush. The agriculture row unit may also include a controller configured to adjust the operating speed of the motor in response to factors internal and/or external to the agricultural row unit. The factors may include at least one of a speed of the agricultural planter along the row, a height of crop residue disk or brush the relative to a surface of the soil, a height of the crop residue disk or brush relative to a surface of the soil, amount of crop residue in the row, and a downforce pressure on the row unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2023
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Inventors: Cary S. Hubner, Grant J. Wonderlich, Mark E. Barker
  • Patent number: 11974517
    Abstract: An agricultural machine includes a seeding system having a seed meter configured to meter seed, a seed meter sensor configured to generate a sensor signal indicative of movement of the seed meter, and an assistive seed transport mechanism configured to receive the metered seed from the seed meter and to transport the metered seed along a delivery path. A control system is configured to determine a position of the seed in the assistive seed transport mechanism based on the sensor signal, and generate a control signal to control the agricultural machine based on the determined position of the seed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Grant J. Wonderlich, Cary S. Hubner