Patents by Inventor Joshua J. Engelbrecht

Joshua J. Engelbrecht 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: 20230354799
    Abstract: A multi-tank spray system includes a first tank, a second tank, a pump, and a plurality of valves including a first valve, a second valve, and an equalizing valve. A first end of the first valve is in fluid communication with the first tank, a second end of the first valve is in fluid communication with (i) a first end of the equalizing valve and (ii) an inlet of the pump. A first end of the second value is in fluid communication with the second tank. A second end of the second valve is in fluid communication with a second end of the equalizing valve. A tank module is configured to receive a spray mode, receive a measurement from at least one sensor of a plurality sensors, and control operation of the plurality of valves and the pump based on (i) the received spray mode and (ii) the received measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: PARESH BHARATIYA, DAVID A. HANSON, LESTER J. MCMACKIN, IV, DENNIS J. SULLIVAN, JOSHUA J. ENGELBRECHT, DAVID L. WILLIAMS
  • Patent number: 11148158
    Abstract: An agricultural sprayer system includes a solution circuit including solution lines and a fluid pump to pump a solution from the solution tank through the solution lines to the spray nozzles; an air circuit including air lines and a source of compressed air to selectively introduce air pressure into the solution circuit; and a control system including a controller configured to control flow of the solution and the compressed air. The controller is configured to perform a spray cycle in which, during a primary portion, a control valve is controlled to isolate the air circuit from the solution circuit so that the solution is pumped by the fluid pump from the solution tank to the spray nozzles, and in which, during an air pressure application portion, the control valve is controlled so that the solution is forced through the solution circuit by the compressed air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Joshua J. Engelbrecht, Pierre van Raaij, Julien Saint Laurent
  • Patent number: 10631531
    Abstract: Embodiments of a spray fluid operation system include a fluid flow circuit that provides several sprayer features while using a minimum number of fluid pumps. In an agricultural setting, a first pump (one function of which is filling) is integrated with a second pump (one function of which is spraying) and both located compactly underneath the solution tank. In some embodiments that include only two pumps, they are centrifugal impeller pumps. Each of the two pumps is capable of performing more than one function. Together, they provide self-primed filling, auto dilution, eductor rinsing, and so on, in a fluid-isolated manner to avoid fluid contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Joshua J. Engelbrecht, Martijn Van Gils
  • Publication number: 20180369851
    Abstract: An agricultural sprayer system includes a solution circuit including solution lines and a fluid pump to pump a solution from the solution tank through the solution lines to the spray nozzles; an air circuit including air lines and a source of compressed air to selectively introduce air pressure into the solution circuit; and a control system including a controller configured to control flow of the solution and the compressed air. The controller is configured to perform a spray cycle in which, during a primary portion, a control valve is controlled to isolate the air circuit from the solution circuit so that the solution is pumped by the fluid pump from the solution tank to the spray nozzles, and in which, during an air pressure application portion, the control valve is controlled so that the solution is forced through the solution circuit by the compressed air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Joshua J. Engelbrecht, Pierre van Raaij, Julien Saint Laurent
  • Publication number: 20170006852
    Abstract: Embodiments of a spray fluid operation system include a fluid flow circuit that provides several sprayer features while using a minimum number of fluid pumps. In an agricultural setting, a first pump (one function of which is filling) is integrated with a second pump (one function of which is spraying) and both located compactly underneath the solution tank. In some embodiments that include only two pumps, they are centrifugal impeller pumps. Each of the two pumps is capable of performing more than one function. Together, they provide self-primed filling, auto dilution, eductor rinsing, and so on, in a fluid-isolated manner to avoid fluid contamination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Joshua J. Engelbrecht, Martijn Van Gils
  • Patent number: 9131674
    Abstract: A trailed agricultural implement is disclosed. The trailed agricultural implement includes a hydraulically-driven pump for moving a fluid at an actual fluid rate. An electro-hydraulic valve is configured to regulate an implement hydraulic pressure to the hydraulically-driven pump. The hydraulically-driven pump regulates the actual fluid rate. The electro-hydraulic valve is configured to receive a vehicle hydraulic pressure. The electro-hydraulic valve communicates with a vehicle load sense system. The load sense system senses the implement hydraulic pressure and communicates with a vehicle hydraulic pump. The vehicle hydraulic pump adjusts the vehicle hydraulic pressure to correspond to the implement hydraulic pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Joshua J. Engelbrecht, Michael L. Gardner, Peter Hloben
  • Publication number: 20140093397
    Abstract: A trailed agricultural implement is disclosed. The trailed agricultural implement includes a hydraulically-driven pump for moving a fluid at an actual fluid rate. An electro-hydraulic valve is configured to regulate an implement hydraulic pressure to the hydraulically-driven pump. The hydraulically-driven pump regulates the actual fluid rate. The electro-hydraulic valve is configured to receive a vehicle hydraulic pressure. The electro-hydraulic valve communicates with a vehicle load sense system. The load sense system senses the implement hydraulic pressure and communicates with a vehicle hydraulic pump. The vehicle hydraulic pump adjusts the vehicle hydraulic pressure to correspond to the implement hydraulic pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicants: JOHN DEERE FABRIEK HORST B.V., DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: JOSHUA J. ENGELBRECHT, MICHAEL L. GARDNER, PETER HLOBEN
  • Patent number: 6550566
    Abstract: A dual counterbalance valve is added in the hydraulic lines between the steering unit and the steering cylinders on an implement to maintain pressure in the steering lines by metering hydraulic fluid to and from the cylinders under pressure so that the steered wheels stay in phase. Since the steering system is kept under constant pressure, the wheels can only be steered by the steering unit and not by tractive soil forces so toe in and toe out problems are eliminated without need for a mechanical tie rod connecting the steered wheels. The valve is added in-line to the system so that current machines can be easily retrofitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Joshua J. Engelbrecht
  • Publication number: 20030070865
    Abstract: A dual counterbalance valve is added in the hydraulic lines between the steering unit and the steering cylinders on an implement to maintain pressure in the steering lines by metering hydraulic fluid to and from the cylinders under pressure so that the steered wheels stay in phase. Since the steering system is kept under constant pressure, the wheels can only be steered by the steering unit and not by tractive soil forces so toe in and toe out problems are eliminated without need for a mechanical tie rod connecting the steered wheels. The valve is added in-line to the system so that current machines can be easily retrofitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Joshua J. Engelbrecht