Patents by Inventor Howard Duzan
Howard Duzan 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).
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Patent number: 9332690Abstract: Methods for interplanting a primary crop and an energy crop include preparing a plantation site for planting the energy crop. Plantation sites may include a primary crop planted in a first row and in a second row, the first row being separated by an intermediate area. The intermediate area is divided into a center portion and two side portions (a first side portion and a second side portion). Methods include lifting a soil and plantation debris mixture from the intermediate area, and redepositing a soil component of the soil and plantation debris mixture primarily in the intermediate area.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2014Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR CompanyInventors: Howard Duzan, James R. Leist
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Patent number: 9167756Abstract: A method of managing timberland to optimize the plot growth rate for a plot including a softwood tree crop and an energy crop generally includes planting a softwood tree crop in adjacent first and second rows, wherein the softwood tree crop has a tree spacing between adjacent trees and a row spacing between the first and second rows, planting an energy crop in the row spacing, wherein the energy crop is a regenerating lignocellulosic energy crop, and periodically measuring the plot growth of the softwood tree crop and the energy crop. A method of managing timberland to optimize the total plot volume of a softwood tree crop and an energy crop generally includes periodically measuring the total plot volume of the softwood tree crop and the energy crop.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2014Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR CompanyInventors: Fred H. Bigelow, Howard Duzan, Venkatesh H. Kumar, Robert F. Lowery
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Publication number: 20150013580Abstract: In methods according to some embodiments of the present disclosure for interplanting a primary crop and an energy crop, the present disclosure includes methods for preparing a plantation site for planting the energy crop. Plantation sites according to the disclosure may include a primary crop planted in a first row and in a second row, the first row being separated by an intermediate area. The intermediate area is divided into a center portion and two side portions (a first side portion and a second side portion). Methods according to embodiments of the disclosure include lifting a soil and plantation debris mixture from the intermediate area, and redepositing a soil component of the soil and plantation debris mixture primarily in the intermediate area.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2014Publication date: January 15, 2015Applicant: WEYERHAEUSER NR COMPANYInventors: Howard Duzan, James R. Leist
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Patent number: 8833280Abstract: In methods according to some embodiments of the present disclosure for interplanting a primary crop and an energy crop, the present disclosure includes methods for preparing a plantation site for planting the energy crop. Plantation sites according to the disclosure may include a primary crop planted in a first row and in a second row, the first row being separated by an intermediate row. The intermediate row is divided into a center portion and two side portions (a first side portion and a second side portion). Methods according to embodiments of the disclosure include the steps of lifting a soil and plantation debris mixture from the intermediate area, redepositing a soil component of the soil and plantation debris mixture primarily into the center portion, and redepositing a plantation debris component of the soil and plantation debris mixture primarily into at least one of the two side portions.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2011Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR CompanyInventors: James R. Leist, Howard Duzan
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Patent number: 8807235Abstract: Soil treating systems and shearing assemblies for use in forestry operations are described. Embodiments of soil treating systems include a movement assembly having a front end and a back end, a shearing assembly mounted on the front end of the movement assembly, and leveling assembly mounted on the back end of the movement assembly. In some embodiments shearing assemblies are inverted V-type shearing assemblies. Further aspects described are directed towards methods for using soil treating systems and shearing assemblies for preparing land for interplanting an energy crop with a primary crop.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2011Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR CompanyInventors: James R. Leist, Howard Duzan
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Publication number: 20140137470Abstract: A method of managing timberland to optimize the plot growth rate for a plot including a softwood tree crop and an energy crop generally includes planting a softwood tree crop in adjacent first and second rows, wherein the softwood tree crop has a tree spacing between adjacent trees and a row spacing between the first and second rows, planting an energy crop in the row spacing, wherein the energy crop is a regenerating lignocellulosic energy crop, and periodically measuring the plot growth of the softwood tree crop and the energy crop. A method of managing timberland to optimize the total plot volume of a softwood tree crop and an energy crop generally includes periodically measuring the total plot volume of the softwood tree crop and the energy crop.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2014Publication date: May 22, 2014Applicant: WEYERHAEUSER NR COMPANYInventors: Fred H. Bigelow, Howard Duzan, Venkatesh H. Kumar, Robert F. Lowery
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Patent number: 8656639Abstract: A method of managing timberland to optimize the combined revenue of a softwood tree crop and an energy crop generally includes planting a softwood tree crop in adjacent first and second rows, wherein the softwood tree crop has a tree spacing between adjacent trees and a row spacing in the range of about 15 to about 25 feet between the first and second rows, planting an energy crop in the row spacing, wherein the energy crop is a regenerating lignocellulosic energy crop, and periodically harvesting the energy crop. Methods of managing timberland to optimize the plot growth rate for a plot including a softwood tree crop and an energy crop, and to optimize the total plot volume of a softwood tree crop and an energy crop are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2011Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR CompanyInventors: Fred H. Bigelow, Howard Duzan, Venkatesh H. Kumar, Robert H. Lowery
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Patent number: 8250843Abstract: A combination biomass harvester and baler, in some embodiments, can include a self-propelled vehicle base, an engine compartment, a fuel and radiator compartment, a movement mechanism operably connected to the self-propelled vehicle base, a cutting head assembly, a transfer assembly, and a baler assembly. The baler assembly may be configured to consolidate the biomass into one or more bales. A bale carrying platform is provided to store the bales while the combination biomass harvester and baler continues to move.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2010Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR CompanyInventors: Robert G. Campbell, Howard Duzan, James R. Leist
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Publication number: 20120145420Abstract: The present disclosure relates to soil treating systems and shearing assemblies for use in forestry operations. Embodiments of soil treating systems according to the disclosure include a movement assembly having a front end and a back end, a shearing assembly mounted on the front end of the movement assembly, and leveling assembly mounted on the back end of the movement assembly. In some embodiments shearing assemblies are inverted V-type shearing assemblies. Further aspects of the disclosure are directed towards methods for using soil treating systems and shearing assemblies for preparing land for interplanting an energy crop with a primary crop.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2011Publication date: June 14, 2012Applicant: WEYERHAEUSER NR COMPANYInventors: James R. Leist, Howard Duzan
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Publication number: 20120145056Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for interplanting a primary crop and an energy crop. In some embodiments, the present disclosure includes methods for preparing a plantation site for planting the energy crop. Plantation sites according to the disclosure may include a primary crop planted in a first row and in a second row, the first row being separated by an intermediate row. The intermediate row is divided into a center portion and two side portions (a first side portion and a second side portion). Methods according to embodiments of the disclosure include the steps of lifting a soil and plantation debris mixture from the intermediate area, redepositing a soil component of the soil and plantation debris mixture primarily into the center portion, and redepositing a plantation debris component of the soil and plantation debris mixture primarily into at least one of the two side portions.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2011Publication date: June 14, 2012Applicant: WEYERHAEUSER NR COMPANYInventors: James R. Leist, Howard Duzan
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Publication number: 20120031314Abstract: A method of managing timberland to optimize the combined revenue of a softwood tree crop and an energy crop generally includes planting a softwood tree crop in adjacent first and second rows, wherein the softwood tree crop has a tree spacing between adjacent trees and a row spacing in the range of about 15 to about 25 feet between the first and second rows, planting an energy crop in the row spacing, wherein the energy crop is a regenerating lignocellulosic energy crop, and periodically harvesting the energy crop. Methods of managing timberland to optimize the plot growth rate for a plot including a softwood tree crop and an energy crop, and to optimize the total plot volume of a softwood tree crop and an energy crop are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2011Publication date: February 9, 2012Applicant: WEYERHAEUSER NR COMPANYInventors: Fred H. Bigelow, Howard Duzan, Venkatesh H. Kumar, Robert F. Lowery
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Patent number: 8042300Abstract: A method of managing timberland generally includes planting a softwood tree crop in first and second rows, wherein the tree crop has a tree spacing between adjacent trees and a row spacing between the first and second rows. The method further includes planting an energy crop in the row spacing, wherein the energy crop is a regenerating lignocellulosic energy crop. The method further includes periodically harvesting the energy crop for a predetermined number of harvests.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2007Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR CompanyInventors: Fred H Bigelow, Howard Duzan, Venkatesh H Kumar, Robert H Lowery
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Publication number: 20110239607Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a combination biomass harvester and baler. In some embodiments, the combination biomass harvest and baler includes a self-propelled vehicle base, an engine compartment, a fuel and radiator compartment, a movement mechanism operably connected to the self-propelled vehicle base, a cutting head assembly, a transfer assembly, and a baler assembly. The baler assembly may be configured to consolidate the biomass into one or more bales. A bale carrying platform is provided to store the bales while the combination biomass harvester and baler continues to move.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2010Publication date: October 6, 2011Applicant: Weyerhaeuser NR CompanyInventors: Robert G. Campbell, Howard Duzan, James R. Leist
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Publication number: 20080236463Abstract: A method of managing timberland generally includes planting a softwood tree crop in first and second rows, wherein the tree crop has a tree spacing between adjacent trees and a row spacing between the first and second rows. The method further includes planting an energy crop in the row spacing, wherein the energy crop is a regenerating lignocellulosic energy crop. The method further includes periodically harvesting the energy crop for a predetermined number of harvests.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2007Publication date: October 2, 2008Applicant: Weyerhaeuser Co.Inventors: Fred H. Bigelow, Howard Duzan, Venkatesh H. Kumar, Robert F. Lowery
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Patent number: 7412932Abstract: A method of managing timberland generally includes planting a first tree crop in first and second rows each having tree spacing between adjacent trees and a first row spacing between the first and second rows. The method further includes planting a first planting of a first energy crop in the first row spacing. The method further includes planting a second tree crop in a third row having tree spacing between adjacent trees and a second row spacing between the second and third rows, wherein the second row spacing is different from the first row spacing. The method further includes planting a first planting of a second energy crop in the second row spacing.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2007Date of Patent: August 19, 2008Assignee: Weyerhaeuser Co.Inventors: Fred H Bigelow, Howard Duzan, Venkatesh H Kumar, Robert H Lowery