Patents by Inventor Joshua David Harmon
Joshua David Harmon 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: 11711990Abstract: A system for monitoring the installation status of shank attachment members of an agricultural implement includes a shank and a shank attachment member coupled to a distal end of the shank. The system also includes a sensor at least partially embedded within the shank at or adjacent to its distal end, with the sensor providing data indicative of an installation status of the shank attachment member relative to the shank. In addition, the system includes a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor, with the controller being configured to determine the installation status of the shank attachment member based on the data received from the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2019Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventor: Joshua David Harmon
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Patent number: 11707010Abstract: A system for monitoring the operational status of ground-engaging tools of an agricultural implement. The system includes a frame and an assembly including an attachment structure configured to be coupled to the frame and a ground-engaging tool pivotably coupled to the attachment structure at a pivot point. The system further includes a shear pin at least partially extending through both the attachment structure and ground-engaging tool to prevent pivoting of the ground-engaging tool about the pivot point. Additionally, the system includes a sensor configured to detect a load applied through a pivot member extending through at least one of the frame or assembly at any pivot point between the frame and the ground engaging tool. The system further includes a controller, communicatively coupled to the sensor, configured to determine a change in the working condition of the shear pin based on the detected load applied through the pivot member.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2019Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Joshua David Harmon, Christopher A. Foster
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Patent number: 11665991Abstract: A system for monitoring the levelness of a multi-wing agricultural implement may include a central frame section, a wing section pivotably coupled to the central frame section and a field contour sensor configured to generate data indicative of a contour of an aft portion of the field located rearward of the implement relative to a direction of travel of the implement. The system may further include a controller communicatively coupled to the field contour sensor. The controller may be configured to monitor the data received from the field contour sensor and assess a levelness of the implement based at least in part on the contour of the aft portion of the field.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2019Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Trevor Stanhope, Joshua David Harmon
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Patent number: 11530528Abstract: In one aspect, a system for detecting tripping of ground engaging tools on an agricultural implement may include a ground engaging tool coupled to an implement frame. Furthermore, the system may include a motion sensor installed on the implement frame, with the motion sensor configured to capture data indicative of motion of the implement frame. Moreover, the system may include a controller configured to monitor the motion of the implement frame based on the data received from the motion sensor. In addition, the controller may be further configured to determine when the ground engaging tool has tripped based on the monitored motion.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2019Date of Patent: December 20, 2022Assignee: CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLCInventors: Christopher A. Foster, Joshua David Harmon
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Patent number: 11506723Abstract: A system for monitoring the operational status of ground-engaging tools of an agricultural implement. The system includes a frame and an assembly including an attachment structure configured to be coupled to the frame and a ground-engaging tool. The ground-engaging tool is pivotably coupled to the attachment structure. The system further includes a shear pin at least partially extending through both the attachment structure and ground-engaging tool to prevent pivoting of the ground-engaging tool about the pivot point when the shear pin is in an operable working condition. Additionally, the system includes an electrical connection through one or more components of the assembly or the shear pin and associated with the shear pin. The system further includes a controller electrically coupled to the electrical connection. The controller is configured to determine a change in the working condition of the shear pin based on an electrical property of the electrical connection.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2019Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Trevor Stanhope, Joshua David Harmon
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Patent number: 11475717Abstract: In one aspect, a system for detecting worn or damaged components of an agricultural machine may include first and second acoustic sensors positioned at first and second locations on the agricultural machine, respectively, with the second location being spaced apart from the first location. A controller of the system may be configured to determine a first acoustic parameter associated with the first location of the agricultural machine based on acoustic data received from the first acoustic sensor. The controller may also be configured to determine a second acoustic parameter associated with the second location of the agricultural machine based on acoustic data received from the second acoustic sensor. Furthermore, the controller may be configured to determine a component of the agricultural machine is worn or damaged when the first acoustic parameter differs from the second acoustic parameter by a predetermined amount.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2019Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Joshua David Harmon, Huiyan Wu
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Publication number: 20220322597Abstract: A system for identifying a failed shear pin of a ground-engaging system of an agricultural implement may include a ground-engaging system having an attachment structure coupled to a frame of an agricultural implement, a ground-engaging tool pivotably coupled to the attachment structure at a pivot joint, and a shear pin at least partially extending through the attachment structure and the ground-engaging tool to prevent pivoting of the ground-engaging tool about the pivot joint. The system may further include an operator notification member provided in association with the ground-engaging system and movable between a non-triggered position and a triggered position. Additionally, the system may include a linkage that, upon failure of the shear pin, allows the operator notification member to be moved from the non-triggered position to the triggered position.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2021Publication date: October 13, 2022Inventors: Joshua David Harmon, Craig Pavlich, Brittany Schroeder
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Patent number: 11445654Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 16, 2020Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.Inventors: Kevin M. Smith, Trevor Stanhope, Joshua David Harmon, James W. Henry
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Patent number: 11357156Abstract: A system for adjusting the spacing between ground engaging tools of an agricultural implement may include a plurality of ground engaging tools including a first end tool, a second end tool, and at least one intermediate tool positioned between the first and second end tools, with an adjustable ground engaging width being defined between the first and second end tools. The system may further include a biasing element positioned between each respective pair of adjacent engaging tools and configured to apply a biasing force against its respective pair of adjacent tools such that an inter-tool spacing between each respective pair of adjacent tools is maintained substantially uniform across the plurality of ground engaging tools as the ground engaging width is adjusted.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2019Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Joshua David Harmon, Trevor Stanhope
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Patent number: 11266053Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 7, 2019Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.Inventors: James W. Henry, Kevin M. Smith, Joshua David Harmon
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Patent number: 11246257Abstract: In one aspect, a method for reducing material accumulation relative to a closing assembly of an agricultural implement may include receiving an input associated with an amount of material accumulation relative to the closing assembly. Additionally, the method may include controlling an operation of the implement based on the received input such that at least one of a first closing tool or a second closing tool of the closing assembly moves from a working position to a material removal position to reduce an amount of material accumulation relative to the closing assembly. The method may also include controlling an operation of an actuator of the implement to actuate the at least one of the first closing tool or the second closing tool from the material removal position back to the working position.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2019Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Trevor Stanhope, Joshua David Harmon
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Patent number: 11234355Abstract: A system for managing material accumulation relative to an agricultural implement may include a ground engaging tool supported on an agricultural implement and an infrared sensor having a field of view directed towards the ground engaging tool. The infrared sensor may be configured to generate data indicative of a temperature gradient of field materials at the ground engaging tool. A controller of the system may be communicatively coupled to the infrared sensor. The controller may monitor the data received from the infrared sensor and determine a presence of material accumulation relative to the ground engaging tool based at least in part on the temperature gradient of the field materials at the ground engaging tool.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2019Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Kevin M. Smith, Joshua David Harmon
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Patent number: 11225778Abstract: A system for monitoring wear of shank attachment members of an agricultural implement includes a shank extending between a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end configured to be pivotally coupled to a portion of the agricultural implement, a shank attachment member coupled to the distal end of the shank, a non-contact sensor positioned remote to the shank attachment member, the non-contact sensor configured to detect a parameter indicative of wear of the shank attachment member, and a controller communicatively coupled to the non-contact sensor. The controller is configured to determine a status of the wear of the shank attachment member based on sensor data received from the non-contact sensor while the shank attachment member is above ground.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2019Date of Patent: January 18, 2022Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventor: Joshua David Harmon
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Patent number: 11206753Abstract: A system for controlling an implement during a tillage operation may include a frame and a ground-engaging tool pivotally coupled to the frame and movable relative to the frame between a retracted position and an extended position. An actuator may be configured to bias the ground-engaging tool towards the extended position during the tillage operation. An adjustable valve may be configured to permit flow out of the actuator when a fluid pressure of the actuator exceeds a reset pressure such that the actuator allows the ground-engaging tool to pivot towards the retracted position. A controller may be configured to determine at least one of an actuator position or a load value indicative of a force applied by the ground-engaging tool against the soil during the tillage operation and adjust the reset pressure based on the at least one of the actuator position or the load value.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2019Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Kevin M. Smith, John H. Posselius, Christopher A. Foster, Joshua David Harmon, Bruce Anderson
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Patent number: 11199845Abstract: In one aspect, a method for distributing crop material for ensilage may include determining, with a computing device, a storage volume for the crop material. The method may also include dividing, with the computing device, the determined storage volume into a plurality of planes. Each plane of the plurality of planes may be spaced apart from each other plane of the plurality of planes along a vertical direction. Furthermore, the method may include controlling, with the computing device, an operation of at least one of a work vehicle or an associated implement in a manner that distributes a portion of the crop material on a given plane of the plurality of planes.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2019Date of Patent: December 14, 2021Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Kevin M. Smith, John H. Posselius, Cory Douglas Hunt, Christopher A. Foster, Joshua David Harmon
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Patent number: 11076626Abstract: In one aspect, a method for compressing crop material for ensilage may include monitoring, with a computing device, a location of a work vehicle within a silage heap as the work vehicle traverses a layer of crop material within the silage heap. The method may also include determining, with the computing device, a current density of the layer of crop material as the work vehicle traverses the layer of crop material. Furthermore, the method may include controlling, with the computing device, an operation of the work vehicle based on the monitored location and the determined current density such that the work vehicle compresses the layer of crop material.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2019Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Kevin M. Smith, John H. Posselius, Christopher A. Foster, Joshua David Harmon
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Publication number: 20210219482Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2020Publication date: July 22, 2021Inventors: Kevin M. Smith, Trevor Stanhope, Joshua David Harmon, James W. Henry
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Patent number: 11058045Abstract: In one aspect, a system for detecting accumulations of field materials between ground engaging components of an agricultural implement may include first and second ground engaging components configured to rotate relative to soil within a field as the implement is moved across the field. The first and second ground engaging components may be spaced apart from each other along an axial direction of the shaft. The system may also include a sensor configured to detect field materials within a detection zone defined directly between the first and second ground engaging components and above the axis of rotation in a vertical direction of the agricultural implement. Furthermore, the system may include a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor, with the controller configured to determine a parameter associated with an accumulation of the field materials between the first and second ground engaging components based on data received from the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2018Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventor: Joshua David Harmon
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Publication number: 20210185884Abstract: A system for calibrating tool depth as an agricultural implement is moved across a field may include an implement frame and a ground-engaging tool supported on the implement frame, with the ground-engaging tool configured to penetrate soil present within the field to a penetration depth. Additionally, the system may also include a frame position sensor configured to capture data indicative of a distance between the implement frame and a surface of the field. Furthermore, a controller of the disclosed system may be configured to determine a penetration depth value of the ground-engaging tool based on a received input. Moreover, the controller may be configured to determine a correction factor based on the data captured by the frame position sensor. In addition, the controller may be configured to adjust the determined penetration depth value based on the determined correction factor to calibrate the penetration depth value.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2019Publication date: June 24, 2021Inventors: Douglas James Rylander, Trevor Stanhope, Joshua David Harmon
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Publication number: 20210176912Abstract: A system for assessing agricultural operation performance may include an imaging device configured to capture image data associated with a portion of a field present within a field of view. The field of view may, in turn, include a first section directed at one of a processed or an unprocessed portion of the field and a second section directed at the other of the processed or the unprocessed portion of the field. Furthermore, a controller may be configured to determine a first value of a field characteristic for the processed portion of the field based on a first portion of the image data associated with the processed portion of the field. Additionally, the controller may be configured to determine a second value of a field characteristic for the unprocessed portion of the field based on a second portion of the image data associated with the unprocessed portion of the field.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2019Publication date: June 17, 2021Inventor: Joshua David Harmon