Patents by Inventor Grant T. MacDonald

Grant T. MacDonald 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: 10834866
    Abstract: A seed tank assembly for an agricultural implement including an exhaust opening configured to exhaust seeds from the seed tank assembly, in which at least one webbing extends across the exhaust opening forming a plurality of apertures, the at least one webbing is integrally molded into the seed tank assembly, and the at least one webbing is configured to provide structural support to the seed tank assembly and to reduce seed head pressure into an inductor box positioned beneath the exhaust opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Chad M. Johnson, Scott A. Long, Joshua J. Roszman, Marvin A. Prickel, Grant T. MacDonald, Michael J. Connors
  • Patent number: 10757855
    Abstract: A particulate material delivery system for an agricultural implement including, an inductor box configured to receive particulate material from a tank, the inductor box including, an inductor segment comprising a particulate material supply chamber configured to guide the particulate material toward a fluidization chamber, and an air supply chamber configured to receive airflow from an airflow supply, wherein the inductor box is configured to direct the airflow from the air supply chamber to the particulate material supply chamber through a first airflow path and through a second airflow path remote from the first air path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Chad M. Johnson, Marvin A. Prickel, Grant T. MacDonald, Michael J. Connors
  • Patent number: 10709057
    Abstract: A particulate material delivery system for an agricultural implement includes an inductor box configured to receive particulate material from a tank. The inductor box includes an inductor segment comprising a particulate material supply chamber configured to guide the particulate material toward a fluidization chamber, and an air supply chamber configured to receive airflow from an airflow supply. The inductor box is configured to direct the airflow from the air supply chamber to the particulate material supply chamber through a first airflow path and through a second airflow path remote from the first air path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Chad M. Johnson, Marvin A. Prickel, Grant T. MacDonald, Michael J. Connors
  • Patent number: 10709056
    Abstract: A particulate material delivery system for an agricultural implement includes an inductor box configured to receive particulate material from a tank. The inductor box includes an inductor segment comprising a particulate material supply chamber configured to guide the particulate material toward a fluidization chamber, and an air supply chamber configured to receive airflow from an airflow supply. The inductor box is configured to direct the airflow from the air supply chamber to the particulate material supply chamber through a first airflow path and through a second airflow path remote from the first air path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Chad M. Johnson, Marvin A. Prickel, Grant T. MacDonald, Michael J. Connors
  • Publication number: 20190274244
    Abstract: A particulate material delivery system for an agricultural implement including, an inductor box configured to receive particulate material from a tank, the inductor box including, an inductor segment comprising a particulate material supply chamber configured to guide the particulate material toward a fluidization chamber, and an air supply chamber configured to receive airflow from an airflow supply, wherein the inductor box is configured to direct the airflow from the air supply chamber to the particulate material supply chamber through a first airflow path and through a second airflow path remote from the first air path
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Chad M. Johnson, Marvin A. Prickel, Grant T. MacDonald, Michael J. Connors
  • Publication number: 20190239423
    Abstract: A particulate material delivery system for an agricultural implement includes an inductor box configured to receive particulate material from a tank. The inductor box includes an inductor segment comprising a particulate material supply chamber configured to guide the particulate material toward a fluidization chamber, and an air supply chamber configured to receive airflow from an airflow supply. The inductor box is configured to direct the airflow from the air supply chamber to the particulate material supply chamber through a first airflow path and through a second airflow path remote from the first air path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Chad M. Johnson, Marvin A. Prickel, Grant T. MacDonald, Michael J. Connors
  • Publication number: 20190239422
    Abstract: A particulate material delivery system for an agricultural implement includes an inductor box configured to receive particulate material from a tank. The inductor box includes an inductor segment comprising a particulate material supply chamber configured to guide the particulate material toward a fluidization chamber, and an air supply chamber configured to receive airflow from an airflow supply. The inductor box is configured to direct the airflow from the air supply chamber to the particulate material supply chamber through a first airflow path and through a second airflow path remote from the first air path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Chad M. Johnson, Marvin A. Prickel, Grant T. MacDonald, Michael J. Connors
  • Patent number: 10362725
    Abstract: A pneumatic distribution system for an agricultural implement includes an inductor box having output ports and row units configured to receive an agricultural product and airflow from the output ports. A conduit system extends between the output ports of the inductor box and the row units. The conduit system is configured to direct the agricultural product and the airflow from each output port to a respective row unit. The conduit system includes a first conduit assembly extending between a first output port and a first row unit. The conduit system also includes a second conduit assembly extending between a second output port and a second row unit. A first average diameter of the first conduit assembly is smaller than a second average diameter of the second conduit assembly by at least approximately one percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Chad M. Johnson, Marvin A. Prickel, Grant T. MacDonald
  • Patent number: 10299426
    Abstract: A particulate material delivery system for an agricultural implement including, an inductor box configured to receive particulate material from a tank, the inductor box including, an inductor segment comprising a particulate material supply chamber configured to guide the particulate material toward a fluidization chamber, and an air supply chamber configured to receive airflow from an airflow supply, wherein the inductor box is configured to direct the airflow from the air supply chamber to the particulate material supply chamber through a first airflow path and through a second airflow path remote from the first air path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Chad M. Johnson, Marvin A. Prickel, Grant T. MacDonald, Michael J. Connors
  • Publication number: 20180332763
    Abstract: A seed tank assembly for an agricultural implement including an exhaust opening configured to exhaust seeds from the seed tank assembly, in which at least one webbing extends across the exhaust opening forming a plurality of apertures, the at least one webbing is integrally molded into the seed tank assembly, and the at least one webbing is configured to provide structural support to the seed tank assembly and to reduce seed head pressure into an inductor box positioned beneath the exhaust opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Inventors: Chad M. Johnson, Scott A. Long, Joshua J. Roszman, Marvin A. Prickel, Grant T. MacDonald, Michael J. Connors
  • Patent number: 10051780
    Abstract: A seed tank assembly for an agricultural implement including an exhaust opening configured to exhaust seeds from the seed tank assembly, in which at least one webbing extends across the exhaust opening forming a plurality of apertures, the at least one webbing is integrally molded into the seed tank assembly, and the at least one webbing is configured to provide structural support to the seed tank assembly and to reduce seed head pressure into an inductor box positioned beneath the exhaust opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Chad M. Johnson, Scott A. Long, Joshua J. Roszman, Marvin A. Prickel, Grant T. MacDonald, Michael J. Connors
  • Publication number: 20180035602
    Abstract: A pneumatic distribution system for an agricultural implement includes an inductor box having output ports and row units configured to receive an agricultural product and airflow from the output ports. A conduit system extends between the output ports of the inductor box and the row units. The conduit system is configured to direct the agricultural product and the airflow from each output port to a respective row unit. The conduit system includes a first conduit assembly extending between a first output port and a first row unit. The conduit system also includes a second conduit assembly extending between a second output port and a second row unit. A first average diameter of the first conduit assembly is smaller than a second average diameter of the second conduit assembly by at least approximately one percent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Inventors: Chad M. Johnson, Marvin A. Prickel, Grant T. MacDonald
  • Patent number: 9854730
    Abstract: A particulate material delivery system for an agricultural implement including, an inductor box configured to receive particulate material from a tank, the inductor box comprising at least one inductor segment configured to guide the particulate material and an airflow through the inductor box, wherein the at least one inductor segment comprises a particulate material fluidization chamber configured to establish a vortex that mixes the particulate material with the airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Grant T. MacDonald, Chad M. Johnson, Scott A. Long, David D. Flamme, Martin J. Roberge, Marvin A. Prickel, Michael J. Connors
  • Patent number: 9854728
    Abstract: A pneumatic distribution system for an agricultural implement includes an inductor box having output ports and row units configured to receive an agricultural product and airflow from the output ports. A conduit system extends between the output ports of the inductor box and the row units. The conduit system is configured to direct the agricultural product and the airflow from each output port to a respective row unit. The conduit system includes a first conduit assembly extending between a first output port and a first row unit. The conduit system also includes a second conduit assembly extending between a second output port and a second row unit. A first average diameter of the first conduit assembly is smaller than a second average diameter of the second conduit assembly by at least approximately one percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Chad M. Johnson, Marvin A. Prickel, Grant T. MacDonald
  • Publication number: 20170339823
    Abstract: A particulate material delivery system for an agricultural implement including, an inductor box configured to receive particulate material from a tank, the inductor box including, an inductor segment comprising a particulate material supply chamber configured to guide the particulate material toward a fluidization chamber, and an air supply chamber configured to receive airflow from an airflow supply, wherein the inductor box is configured to direct the airflow from the air supply chamber to the particulate material supply chamber through a first airflow path and through a second airflow path remote from the first air path
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Chad M. Johnson, Marvin A. Prickel, Grant T. MacDonald, Michael J. Connors
  • Patent number: 9750177
    Abstract: A particulate material delivery system for an agricultural implement including, an inductor box configured to receive particulate material from a tank, the inductor box including, an inductor segment comprising a particulate material supply chamber configured to guide the particulate material toward a fluidization chamber, and an air supply chamber configured to receive airflow from an airflow supply, wherein the inductor box is configured to direct the airflow from the air supply chamber to the particulate material supply chamber through a first airflow path and through a second airflow path remote from the first air path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Chad M. Johnson, Marvin A. Prickel, Grant T. MacDonald, Michael J. Connors
  • Patent number: 9439344
    Abstract: An agricultural product delivery system for an agricultural implement includes an inductor box with an agricultural product inlet configured to receive an agricultural product, an air inlet configured to receive an airflow, a plurality of mixing chambers, and a plurality of air bypass channels. Each mixing chamber is configured to mix the agricultural product and a respective first portion of the airflow. The plurality of air bypass channels is configured to guide a respective second portion of the airflow from the air inlet to a respective mixing chamber of the plurality of mixing chambers. The plurality of bypass channels includes inside air bypass channels that contact adjacent inside air bypass channels, and outside air bypass channels that are arranged adjacent to an exterior inductor box wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael J. Connors, David D. Flamme, Chad M. Johnson, Scott A. Long, Grant T. MacDonald, Marvin A. Prickel, Martin J. Roberge
  • Patent number: 9426940
    Abstract: One embodiment describes a seed metering system that includes a first seed meter that controls seed deposition by a first row unit on a seed planting implement; a first direct vacuum source fluidly coupled to the first seed meter, in which the first direct vacuum source supplies vacuum pressure only to the first seed meter to enable the first seed meter to control seed deposition by the first row unit; a second seed meter that controls seed deposition by a second row unit on the seed planting implement; a second direct vacuum source fluidly coupled to the second seed meter, wherein the second direct vacuum source supplies vacuum pressure only to the second seed meter to enable the second seed meter to control seed deposition by the second row unit; and a control unit communicatively coupled to the first direct vacuum source and the second direct vacuum source, in which the control unit controls vacuum pressure supplied by the first direct vacuum source and the second direct vacuum source independently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Connors, Johnathon R. Dienst, Scott A. Long, Marvin A. Prickel, Grant T. MacDonald
  • Publication number: 20160165790
    Abstract: A particulate material delivery system for an agricultural implement including, an inductor box configured to receive particulate material from a tank, the inductor box including, an inductor segment comprising a particulate material supply chamber configured to guide the particulate material toward a fluidization chamber, and an air supply chamber configured to receive airflow from an airflow supply, wherein the inductor box is configured to direct the airflow from the air supply chamber to the particulate material supply chamber through a first airflow path and through a second airflow path remote from the first air path
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Chad M. Johnson, Marvin A. Prickel, Grant T. MacDonald, Michael J. Connors
  • Publication number: 20160135362
    Abstract: One embodiment describes a seed metering system that includes a first seed meter that controls seed deposition by a first row unit on a seed planting implement; a first direct vacuum source fluidly coupled to the first seed meter, in which the first direct vacuum source supplies vacuum pressure only to the first seed meter to enable the first seed meter to control seed deposition by the first row unit; a second seed meter that controls seed deposition by a second row unit on the seed planting implement; a second direct vacuum source fluidly coupled to the second seed meter, wherein the second direct vacuum source supplies vacuum pressure only to the second seed meter to enable the second seed meter to control seed deposition by the second row unit; and a control unit communicatively coupled to the first direct vacuum source and the second direct vacuum source, in which the control unit controls vacuum pressure supplied by the first direct vacuum source and the second direct vacuum source independently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Michael J. Connors, Johnathon R. Dienst, Scott A. Long, Marvin A. Prickel, Grant T. MacDonald