Patents by Inventor James R. Leist

James R. Leist 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: 9332690
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR Company
    Inventors: Howard Duzan, James R. Leist
  • Publication number: 20150013580
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: WEYERHAEUSER NR COMPANY
    Inventors: Howard Duzan, James R. Leist
  • Patent number: 8833280
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR Company
    Inventors: James R. Leist, Howard Duzan
  • Patent number: 8807235
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR Company
    Inventors: James R. Leist, Howard Duzan
  • Patent number: 8757388
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed generally a biomass conditioning system and methods for conditioning biomass to remove undesirable material for further processing and applications. In some embodiments, the disclosure includes a biomass conditioning system including a conditioning tank, a water input device, a biomass input device, a containment device, a spillway, and a moving separation device. In some embodiments, methods according to the disclosure include pumping water into a conditioning tank, depositing biomass into the conditioning tank, allowing the biomass to soak in the water and separate into a bark portion and a non-bark portion, allowing the bark portion to float to a water line, containing the bark portion to one side of the conditioning tank, moving the bark portion into a bark storage area, separating the non-bark portion into a biomass portion and a debris portion, and moving the conditioned biomass portion into a storage area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR Company
    Inventor: James R. Leist
  • Patent number: 8523265
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a multipurpose transport system, a roof assembly, and methods for transporting forest biomass and wood residuals. Roof assemblies according to the disclosure are mountable on a top portion of a transport system. In some embodiments, roof assemblies include two or more panels, one or more panel movements assemblies operably connected each of the two or more panels, and one or more actuation assemblies. The two or more panels extend from a first side of the roof assembly to and second side of the roof assembly in a louvered configuration. Each of the two or more panels are moveable between a first position and a second position. Further aspects of the disclosure are directed towards multipurpose transport systems and methods for transporting forest biomass and wood residuals using systems according to the disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR Company
    Inventors: James R. Leist, Frank Corley
  • Patent number: 8250843
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR Company
    Inventors: Robert G. Campbell, Howard Duzan, James R. Leist
  • Publication number: 20120145420
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: WEYERHAEUSER NR COMPANY
    Inventors: James R. Leist, Howard Duzan
  • Publication number: 20120145056
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: WEYERHAEUSER NR COMPANY
    Inventors: James R. Leist, Howard Duzan
  • Publication number: 20120070265
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a multipurpose transport system, a roof assembly, and methods for transporting forest biomass and wood residuals. Roof assemblies according to the disclosure are mountable on a top portion of a transport system. In some embodiments, roof assemblies include two or more panels, one or more panel movements assemblies operably connected each of the two or more panels, and one or more actuation assemblies. The two or more panels extend from a first side of the roof assembly to and second side of the roof assembly in a louvered configuration. Each of the two or more panels are moveable between a first position and a second position. Further aspects of the disclosure are directed towards multipurpose transport systems and methods for transporting forest biomass and wood residuals using systems according to the disclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: WEYERHAEUSER NR COMPANY
    Inventors: James R. Leist, Frank Corley
  • Patent number: 8066043
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a combination forest biomass and tree harvester, a harvesting head assembly, and methods for harvesting trees and forest biomass. In some embodiments, the combination forest biomass and tree harvester includes a self-propelled vehicle base, a moveable arm, and a harvesting head assembly. The harvesting head assembly may include a frame member, a grabbing assembly, and a cutting assembly. The cutting assembly may include a primary cutting mechanism and a secondary cutting mechanism. As the combination forest biomass and tree harvester moves through a forest area, the cutting assembly may be used to cut trees and mow biomass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR Company
    Inventor: James R. Leist
  • Publication number: 20110239607
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: Weyerhaeuser NR Company
    Inventors: Robert G. Campbell, Howard Duzan, James R. Leist
  • Publication number: 20110186481
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed generally a biomass conditioning system and methods for conditioning biomass to remove undesirable material for further processing and applications. In some embodiments, the disclosure includes a biomass conditioning system including a conditioning tank, a water input device, a biomass input device, a containment device, a spillway, and a moving separation device. In some embodiments, methods according to the disclosure include pumping water into a conditioning tank, depositing biomass into the conditioning tank, allowing the biomass to soak in the water and separate into a bark portion and a non-bark portion, allowing the bark portion to float to a water line, containing the bark portion to one side of the conditioning tank, moving the bark portion into a bark storage area, separating the non-bark portion into a biomass portion and a debris portion, and moving the conditioned biomass portion into a storage area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: Weyerhaeuser NR Company
    Inventor: James R. Leist
  • Publication number: 20110155283
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a combination forest biomass and tree harvester, a harvesting head assembly, and methods for harvesting trees and forest biomass. In some embodiments, the combination forest biomass and tree harvester includes a self-propelled vehicle base, a moveable arm, and a harvesting head assembly. The harvesting head assembly may include a frame member, a grabbing assembly, and a cutting assembly. The cutting assembly may include a primary cutting mechanism and a secondary cutting mechanism. As the combination forest biomass and tree harvester moves through a forest area, the cutting assembly may be used to cut trees and mow biomass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: WEYERHAEUSER NR COMPANY
    Inventor: JAMES R. LEIST