Patents by Inventor Jacob R. Riffel
Jacob R. Riffel 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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Publication number: 20230371420Abstract: A distribution tower comprising an upright conduit for pneumatically conveying particulate material in a primary stream. The tower additionally includes a distribution head at the upper end of the conduit, with the distribution head comprising a plenum chamber for receiving the primary stream of particulate material from the conduit. The distribution head further comprises a plurality of discharge outlets for directing particulate material out of the plenum chamber by splitting the primary stream into a plurality of secondary streams. Each of the secondary streams is discharged from the distribution head via one of the discharge outlets. The tower additionally includes a flow adjustment system configured to adjust a distribution of particulate material between the secondary streams without completely restricting the flow of any of the secondary streams through their respective discharge outlet. The tower further includes a control system for controlling operation of said flow adjustment system.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2023Publication date: November 23, 2023Inventors: Jacob R. Riffel, Gregory W. Arnett, Verne A. Hubalek
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Patent number: 11751502Abstract: A distribution tower comprising an upright conduit for pneumatically conveying particulate material in a primary stream. The tower additionally includes a distribution head at the upper end of the conduit, with the distribution head comprising a plenum chamber for receiving the primary stream of particulate material from the conduit. The distribution head further comprises a plurality of discharge outlets for directing particulate material out of the plenum chamber by splitting the primary stream into a plurality of secondary streams. Each of the secondary streams is discharged from the distribution head via one of the discharge outlets. The tower additionally includes a flow adjustment system configured to adjust a distribution of particulate material between the secondary streams without completely restricting the flow of any of the secondary streams through their respective discharge outlet. The tower further includes a control system for controlling operation of said flow adjustment system.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2019Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Jacob R. Riffel, Gregory W. Arnett, Verne A. Hubalek
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Publication number: 20200045877Abstract: A distribution tower comprising an upright conduit for pneumatically conveying particulate material in a primary stream. The tower additionally includes a distribution head at the upper end of the conduit, with the distribution head comprising a plenum chamber for receiving the primary stream of particulate material from the conduit. The distribution head further comprises a plurality of discharge outlets for directing particulate material out of the plenum chamber by splitting the primary stream into a plurality of secondary streams. Each of the secondary streams is discharged from the distribution head via one of the discharge outlets. The tower additionally includes a flow adjustment system configured to adjust a distribution of particulate material between the secondary streams without completely restricting the flow of any of the secondary streams through their respective discharge outlet. The tower further includes a control system for controlling operation of said flow adjustment system.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2019Publication date: February 13, 2020Inventors: Jacob R. Riffel, Gregory W. Arnett, Verne A. Hubalek
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Patent number: 9781875Abstract: The seed distribution tower of an air seeder has a distribution head that splits a single, primary stream of conveying air and seeds into a plurality of secondary streams for delivery to openers that deposit the seeds into the ground as the seeder advances. The outlets through which the secondary streams exit the head are constructed as modules that can be individually installed and replaced without disassembling the entire head. Shut-off valves and/or flow sensors may or may not be incorporated into certain or all of the modules to provide optimum user flexibility.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2015Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc.Inventor: Jacob R. Riffel
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Patent number: 9031749Abstract: When the operator of a cultivation air seeder shifts the tractor valve to raise the cultivators and openers from the ground as the seeder prepares to turn around at the end of a field, the operating and control system of the seeder causes the cultivators to be raised first, followed in sequence by the trailing openers. The seed meter turns off as soon as the cultivators leave their lowered position, but the blower stays on so that seeds in the conduits downstream from the meter continue to be delivered to and deposited into the ground by the openers until the cultivators reach their raised position, whereupon the openers are raised. Depending upon the particular seeding mode selected by the operator, the cultivators and openers either lower simultaneously as the operator shifts the tractor valve to the lowering position when starting down the next pass, or the cultivators are lowered first, followed in sequence by the openers.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2011Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: Great Plaines Manfacturing, Inc.Inventors: Verne A. Hubalek, Jacob R. Riffel
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Publication number: 20150107502Abstract: The seed distribution tower of an air seeder has a distribution head that splits a single, primary stream of conveying air and seeds into a plurality of secondary streams for delivery to openers that deposit the seeds into the ground as the seeder advances. The outlets through which the secondary streams exit the head are constructed as modules that can be individually installed and replaced without disassembling the entire head. Shut-off valves and/or flow sensors may or may not be incorporated into certain or all of the modules to provide optimum user flexibility.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 2, 2015Publication date: April 23, 2015Inventor: Jacob R. Riffel
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Patent number: 8955445Abstract: The seed distribution tower of an air seeder has a distribution head that splits a single, primary stream of conveying air and seeds into a plurality of secondary streams for delivery to openers that deposit the seeds into the ground as the seeder advances. The outlets through which the secondary streams exit the head are constructed as modules that can be individually installed and replaced without disassembling the entire head. Shut-off valves and/or flow sensors may or may not be incorporated into certain or all of the modules to provide optimum user flexibility.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2012Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc.Inventor: Jacob R. Riffel
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Patent number: 8903545Abstract: An agricultural seeding implement has a seed hopper that is weighed continuously during field operations as the seed volume in the hopper progressively diminishes. The weight information is used to perform ongoing control functions on the implement. One embodiment uses the weight information to reduce the down pressure on compaction wheels of a wing section of the machine as a function of the diminishing weight of the hopper on the main section.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2011Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Jacob R. Riffel, Verne A. Hubalek
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Patent number: 8656848Abstract: The seed distribution tower of an air seeder splits a single, primary stream of conveying air and seeds into a plurality of secondary streams for delivery to openers that deposit the seeds into the ground as the seeder advances. As seeds enter the head of the tower in an upward vertical direction through an inlet at the bottom of the head, they are scattered 360° in a horizontal direction by an inverted, overhead distribution cone. The inlet through which the seeds enter the distribution head has an eased configuration to reduce turbulence and promote laminar flow within the head during the dramatic transition from vertical to horizontal movement. Sensitive components such as tram line valves, solenoid actuators, and blockage sensors are protectively housed within the interior of the distribution head to avoid exposure to hostile environmental elements.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2011Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Verne A. Hubalek, Jacob R. Riffel
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Patent number: 8616139Abstract: A cultivation air seeder has an ornamental facing around three sides of its large, metallic bulk seed hopper to enhance the appearance of the hopper and provide environmental protection for sensitive mechanical, electronic and hydraulic components. A front section of one facing panel on each side of the machine is hinged about a generally upright axis to allow the panel section to be opened and closed like a door for operator access to the components behind it. The facing can be stylishly molded from a synthetic resinous material or other non-metallic substance to facilitate manufacture and is disposed to conceal unsightly weld lines and other imperfections on the exterior surface of the hopper.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2011Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Jacob R. Riffel, Verne A. Hubalek
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Publication number: 20130319305Abstract: The seed distribution tower of an air seeder has a distribution head that splits a single, primary stream of conveying air and seeds into a plurality of secondary streams for delivery to openers that deposit the seeds into the ground as the seeder advances. The outlets through which the secondary streams exit the head are constructed as modules that can be individually installed and replaced without disassembling the entire head. Shut-off valves and/or flow sensors may or may not be incorporated into certain or all of the modules to provide optimum user flexibility.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2012Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: GREAT PLAINS MANUFACTURING, INCORPORATEDInventor: Jacob R. Riffel
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Publication number: 20120312211Abstract: The seed distribution tower of an air seeder splits a single, primary stream of conveying air and seeds into a plurality of secondary streams for delivery to openers that deposit the seeds into the ground as the seeder advances. As seeds enter the head of the tower in an upward vertical direction through an inlet at the bottom of the head, they are scattered 360° in a horizontal direction by an inverted, overhead distribution cone. The inlet through which the seeds enter the distribution head has an eased configuration to reduce turbulence and promote laminar flow within the head during the dramatic transition from vertical to horizontal movement. Sensitive components such as tram line valves, solenoid actuators, and blockage sensors are protectively housed within the interior of the distribution head to avoid exposure to hostile environmental elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2011Publication date: December 13, 2012Applicant: GREAT PLAINS MANUFACTURING, INCORPORATEDInventors: Verne A. Hubalek, Jacob R. Riffel
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Publication number: 20120316673Abstract: An agricultural seeding implement has a seed hopper that is weighed continuously during field operations as the seed volume in the hopper progressively diminishes. The weight information is used to perform ongoing control functions on the implement. One embodiment uses the weight information to reduce the down pressure on compaction wheels of a wing section of the machine as a function of the diminishing weight of the hopper on the main section.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2011Publication date: December 13, 2012Applicant: GREAT PLAINS MANUFACTURING, INCORPORATEDInventors: Jacob R. Riffel, Verne A. Hubalek
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Publication number: 20120312210Abstract: A cultivation air seeder has an ornamental facing around three sides of its large, metallic bulk seed hopper to enhance the appearance of the hopper and provide environmental protection for sensitive mechanical, electronic and hydraulic components. A front section of one facing panel on each side of the machine is hinged about a generally upright axis to allow the panel section to be opened and closed like a door for operator access to the components behind it. The facing can be stylishly molded from a synthetic resinous material or other non-metallic substance to facilitate manufacture and is disposed to conceal unsightly weld lines and other imperfections on the exterior surface of the hopper.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2011Publication date: December 13, 2012Applicant: GREAT PLAINS MANUFACTURING, INCORPORATEDInventors: Jacob R. Riffel, Verne A. Hubalek
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Publication number: 20120316736Abstract: When the operator of a cultivation air seeder shifts the tractor valve to raise the cultivators and openers from the ground as the seeder prepares to turn around at the end of a field, the operating and control system of the seeder causes the cultivators to be raised first, followed in sequence by the trailing openers. The seed meter turns off as soon as the cultivators leave their lowered position, but the blower stays on so that seeds in the conduits downstream from the meter continue to be delivered to and deposited into the ground by the openers until the cultivators reach their raised position, whereupon the openers are raised. Depending upon the particular seeding mode selected by the operator, the cultivators and openers either lower simultaneously as the operator shifts the tractor valve to the lowering position when starting down the next pass, or the cultivators are lowered first, followed in sequence by the openers.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2011Publication date: December 13, 2012Applicant: GREAT PLAINS MANUFACTURING, INCORPORATEDInventors: Verne A. Hubalek, Jacob R. Riffel