Patents by Inventor James W. Henry

James W. Henry 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).

  • Publication number: 20220295687
    Abstract: A method for determining soil clod size within a field includes receiving an image depicting an imaged portion of the field. Furthermore, the method includes identifying a soil clod present within the imaged portion of the field. Additionally, the method includes determining a maximum height of the identified soil clod above a soil surface of the field. Moreover, the method includes determining a maximum length of the identified soil clod. In addition, the method includes determining a radius of a sphere based on the determined maximum height and the determined maximum length, with the sphere including a first portion approximating a portion of the identified soil clod positioned above the soil surface and a second portion approximating a portion of the identified soil clod positioned below the soil surface. Furthermore, the method includes determining a size of the identified soil clod based on the determined radius.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventor: James W. Henry
  • Publication number: 20220301142
    Abstract: A method for determining soil clod parameters within a field includes receiving, with a computing system, three-dimensional image data depicting an imaged portion of the field. The three-dimensional image data, in turn, includes a first two-dimensional image depicting the imaged portion of the field relative to a first position and a second two-dimensional image depicting the imaged portion of the field relative to a second position, with the first position being spaced apart from the second position. Furthermore, the method includes identifying, with the computing system, a soil clod depicted with the received three-dimensional image data. Additionally, the method includes comparing, with the computing system, the first and second two-dimensional images to identify a shadow surrounding at least a portion of the identified soil clod. Moreover, the method includes determining, with the computing system, a soil clod parameter associated with the identified soil clod based on the identified shadow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventor: James W. Henry
  • Patent number: 11445654
    Abstract: A system for identifying plugging within an agricultural implement is provided. The system includes a ground engaging tool configured to be supported by the agricultural implement. A fluidic actuator is coupled to the ground engaging tool. The fluidic actuator is operable to adjust the ground engaging tool between a lifted position and a ground engaging position. A pressure sensor is configured to measure a pressure of fluid supplied to the fluidic actuator. A controller is communicatively coupled to the pressure sensor. The controller is configured to receive, from the pressure sensor, a signal that corresponds to the pressure of fluid supplied to the fluidic actuator. The controller is further configured to determine when the ground engaging tool is plugged based at least in part on the signal from the pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kevin M. Smith, Trevor Stanhope, Joshua David Harmon, James W. Henry
  • Patent number: 11448873
    Abstract: A system for removing debris from a vision-based sensor of an agricultural machine includes an agricultural machine and a vision-based sensor supported on the agricultural machine. The vision-based sensor is configured to generate vision data. The system further includes a vibration source configured to be a separate component frons the vision-based sensor. The vibration source is supported on the agricultural machine. Moreover, the vibration source is configured to oscillate the vision-based sensor to remove debris from the vision-based sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventor: James W. Henry
  • Publication number: 20220266801
    Abstract: In one aspect, a system for acquiring data associated with an agricultural field. The system includes an agricultural machine and a data acquisition (DAQ) module supported relative to the agricultural machine. The DAQ module includes a module housing and one or more sensing devices housed within the module housing. The one or more sensing device are configured to generate data associated with a condition of a field as the agricultural machine travels across the field. In addition, the system includes an air circulation system provided in operative association with the DAQ module that is configured to direct an airflow into an interior of the module housing for circulation therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventors: James W. Henry, Joshua Knoblauch, Mark Ridley
  • Patent number: 11419254
    Abstract: A system for detecting the levelness of ground engaging tools of a tillage implement including an agricultural implement including a frame and tool assemblies supported relative to the frame. The tool assemblies each include a toolbar coupled to the frame and one or more ground engaging tools coupled to the toolbar. The system further includes sensors coupled to two of the tool assemblies and configured to capture data indicative of a load acting on the one or more ground engaging tools of the tool assemblies. Additionally, the system includes a controller configured to monitor the data received from the sensors and compare at least one monitored value associated with the load acting on the ground engaging tool(s) of each of the tool assemblies. Moreover, the controller is further configured to identify the ground engaging tool(s) are not level when the monitored value(s) differ by a predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher Barrick, James W. Henry, Robert Zemenchik
  • Publication number: 20220262027
    Abstract: A method for determining residue length within a field includes receiving, with a computing system, a captured image depicting an imaged portion of the field from one or more imaging devices. Furthermore, the method includes determining, with the computing system, an image gradient orientation at each of a plurality of pixels within the captured image. Additionally, the method includes identifying, with the computing system, a residue piece present within the image portion of the field based at least in part on the determined image gradient orientations. Moreover, the method includes determining, with the computing system, a length of the identified residue piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: James W. Henry, Christopher Nicholas Warwick, David John Powell
  • Publication number: 20220256759
    Abstract: In one aspect, a method for determining soil clods within a field includes receiving one or more images depicting an imaged portion of an agricultural field. The method also includes classifying a portion of the plurality of pixels that are associated with soil within the imaged portion of the field as soil pixels with each soil pixel being associated with a respective pixel height. The method also includes generating a first ray from a local maximum in a first direction and a second ray from the local maximum in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first ray until opposing endpoints are determined based on a detected edge condition. Lastly, the method includes determining whether a soil clod based at least in part the first ray or the second ray of the candidate soil clod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: James W. Henry, Christopher Nicholas Warwick
  • Publication number: 20220256764
    Abstract: A method for determining residue coverage of a field includes receiving, with a computing system, a captured image depicting an imaged portion of a field from one or more imaging devices. Furthermore, the method includes determining, with the computing system, an image gradient orientation at each of a plurality of pixels within the captured image. Additionally, the method includes determining, with the computing system, a plurality of image gradient orientation densities associated with the captured image based on the determined image gradient orientations. Moreover, the method includes determining, with the computing system, a residue coverage parameter associated with the imaged portion of the field based on the determined plurality of image gradient orientation densities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: James W. Henry, Christopher Nicholas Warwick, David John Powell
  • Publication number: 20220262021
    Abstract: In one aspect, a method for detecting terrain variations within a field includes receiving one or more images depicting an imaged portion of an agricultural field. The method also includes classifying a portion of the plurality of pixels that are associated with soil within the imaged portion of the agricultural field as soil pixels with each soil pixel being associated with a respective pixel height. Additionally, the method includes identifying each soil pixel having a pixel height that exceeds a height threshold as a candidate ridge pixel and each soil pixel having a pixel height that is less than a depth threshold as a candidate valley pixel. The method further includes determining whether a ridge or a valley is present within the imaged portion of the agricultural field based at least in part on the candidate ridge pixels or the candidate valley pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: James W. Henry, Christopher Nicholas Warwick
  • Publication number: 20220240430
    Abstract: A system for controlling an operation of an agricultural implement includes a ground-penetrating tool configured to penetrate soil within a field to a penetration depth. Furthermore, the system includes a sensor configured to capture data indicative of a compaction layer within the field as the implement travels across the field. Additionally, the system includes a computing system configured to generate a representation of a portion of the soil within the field based on the data captured by the sensor. Moreover, the computing system is configured to determine a position of a bottom surface of the compaction layer based on the generated representation. In addition, the computing system is configured to control the penetration depth of the ground-penetrating tool based on the determined position of the bottom surface of the compaction layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventor: James W. Henry
  • Patent number: 11357153
    Abstract: In one aspect, a system for determining soil clod size as an implement is being towed across a field by a work vehicle may include an imaging device provided in operative association with the work vehicle or the implement such that the imaging device is configured to capture images of the field. Furthermore, the system may include a controller communicatively coupled to the imaging device. The controller may be configured to receive, from the imaging device, image data associated with an imaged portion of the field. Moreover, the controller may be configured analyze the received image data to identify at least one edge of a soil clod within the imaged portion of the field. Additionally, the controller may be configured to determine a size of the soil clod based on the identified at least one edge of the soil clod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Foster, James W. Henry, Luca Ferrari
  • Patent number: 11343956
    Abstract: A system for monitoring soil conditions within a field includes an agricultural implement including a frame and a ground-engaging tool coupled to the frame. The system further includes a first sensor coupled to the ground-engaging tool and configured to detect motion of the ground-engaging tool as the agricultural implement is moved across the field. The system additionally includes a second sensor separate from the first sensor. The second sensor is configured to detect an orientation of the ground-engaging tool relative to the frame as the agricultural implement is moved across the field. The system includes a controller communicatively coupled to the first and second sensors. The controller is configured to determine an indication of a soil condition at a given location within the field based at least in part on the detected motion and the detected orientation of the ground-engaging tool at the given location within the field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael G. Kovach, James W. Henry, Yong Deng
  • Patent number: 11297757
    Abstract: A system for monitoring the displacement of a ground engaging tool of an agricultural implement includes a controller of the system may be configured to monitor a magnitude of a displacement defined between a current position of a ground engaging tool of the implement and a predetermined ground engaging tool position. The controller may also be configured to initiate a first control action when it is determined that the magnitude of the displacement of the ground engaging tool exceeds a first threshold displacement value. Moreover, the controller may further be configured to initiate a second control action when it is determined that the magnitude of the displacement of the ground engaging tool exceeds a second threshold displacement value, with the second threshold displacement value corresponding to a greater displacement relative to the predetermined ground engaging tool position than the first displacement threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Michael G. Kovach, Christopher Barrick, John C. Endlsey, James W. Henry, Tracey D. Meiners, Klint J. Peterson, Alan Forbes, David Long, Christopher A. Lursen
  • Patent number: 11284555
    Abstract: A system for monitoring the levelness of an agricultural implement may include first and second tools rotatably supported on the agricultural implement, with the first and second tools being spaced apart from each other in at least one of a longitudinal direction or a lateral direction of the agricultural implement. The system may further include a first rotational speed sensor configured to detect a rotational speed of the first tool and a second rotational speed sensor configured to detect a rotational speed of the second tool. Additionally, the system may include a controller communicatively coupled to the first and second rotational speed sensors, with the controller being configured to identify a levelness state of at least a portion of the agricultural implement based at least in part on the rotational speeds of the first and second tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kevin M. Smith, James W. Henry
  • Patent number: 11277955
    Abstract: A system for adjusting the alignment of ground engaging tools of an agricultural implement may include a first toolbar configured to support a first plurality of tools aligned along a first tool axis, and a second toolbar configured to support a second plurality of tools aligned along a second tool axis. The second toolbar may be movable relative to the first toolbar between a first toolbar position and a second toolbar position such that the second tool axis is movable relative to the first tool axis. The system may additionally include an actuator configured to actuate the second toolbar between the first toolbar position, where the first and second tool axes are substantially coincident, and the second toolbar position, where the second tool axis is substantially spaced apart from the first tool axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventor: James W. Henry
  • Patent number: 11266053
    Abstract: A system for de-plugging ground engaging tools of an agricultural implement includes a ground engaging tool. A fluid nozzle is in fluid communication with a pressurized fluid source such that pressurized fluid from the pressurized fluid source is flowable to the fluid nozzle. The fluid nozzle is oriented towards the ground engaging tool. Thus, pressurized fluid from the fluid nozzle is flowable towards, next to and/or against the ground engaging tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: James W. Henry, Kevin M. Smith, Joshua David Harmon
  • Patent number: 11259454
    Abstract: In one aspect, a system for detecting ground engaging tool float for an agricultural implement may include an implement having a ground engaging tool pivotally coupled to a frame and a biasing element coupled between the frame and the ground engaging tool. The biasing element may be configured to bias the ground engaging tool to a predetermined ground engaging tool position relative to the frame. The system may also include a sensor configured to detect a parameter indicative of a current position of the ground engaging tool relative to the frame. Additionally, the system may include a controller configured to monitor the current position of the ground engaging tool based on measurement signals received from the sensor and identify a time period across which the ground engaging tool is displaced from the predetermined ground engaging tool position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Michael G. Kovach, Christopher Barrick, John C. Endsley, James W. Henry, Tracey D. Meiners, Klint J. Peterson
  • Patent number: 11250300
    Abstract: A computing system may be configured to perform operations including obtaining image data depicting a flow of soil around a ground-engaging tool of an agricultural implement as the ground-engaging tool is moved through the soil. Furthermore, the operations may include extracting a set of features from the obtained image data. Moreover, the operations may include inputting the set of features into the machine-learned classification model and receiving a soil flow classification of the set of features as an output of the machine-learned classification model. In addition, the operations may include determining when the ground-engaging tool is plugged based on the soil flow classification of the set of features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Trevor Stanhope, James W. Henry
  • Patent number: 11229156
    Abstract: A system for detecting plugging of an agricultural implement includes a frame member and a ground-engaging tool rotatably coupled to the frame member. The ground-engaging tool is configured to engage soil within a field as the agricultural implement is moved across the field. The system also includes a tool scraper positioned relative to the ground-engaging tool such that the tool scraper is configured to remove field materials from the tool as the tool engages the soil. Moreover, the system includes a sensor configured to detect a parameter indicative of a load on the tool scraper and a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor. The controller is configured to monitory the load on the tool scraper based on data received from the sensor and determine when the tool is experiencing a plugged condition based at least in part on the monitored load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Trevor Stanhope, James W. Henry