Patents by Inventor Joshua J. Wolters
Joshua J. Wolters 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: 20150257334Abstract: An improved dual metering tube systems for use in directing liquid to the row units of an agricultural implement uses metering tubes of different diameters, a pressure sensor to sense the pressure in a trunk line through which liquid is fed to the metering tubes and a controller for operating one or more valves to selectively direct liquid through only a set of small diameter tubes, only a set of large diameter tubes or both the small and large diameter tubes. Each of the small diameter tubes is paired with a respective one of the large diameter tubes and flow connected to a common outlet or nozzle associated with a respective row unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2015Publication date: September 17, 2015Applicant: SUREFIRE AG SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Joshua J. Wolters, Blaine C. Ginther, Matthew W. Wolters, Albert E. Popp
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Publication number: 20120264493Abstract: In one embodiment, a straw chopper apparatus of a combine harvester, the straw chopper apparatus comprising plural chopper rotors disposed proximally to a rearward end of the combine harvester, each of the chopper rotors comprising a shaft having an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the direction of travel, the shaft having a length dimension and a diameter dimension, the length dimension greater than the diameter dimension, the shaft comprising plural sets of blades that are pivotably coupled to the shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2011Publication date: October 18, 2012Applicant: AGCO CORPORATIONInventors: Robert A. Matousek, Joshua J. Wolters
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Publication number: 20120168254Abstract: In one embodiment, a lubricant distribution system for a combine harvester, the lubricant distribution system comprising: a plurality of gearboxes coupled to different locations on the combine harvester, each of the plurality of gearboxes comprising lubricating fluid; a reservoir configured to receive the lubricating fluid from the plurality of gearboxes; and a pump configured to pump the lubricating fluid received from the reservoir to the plurality of gearboxes.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2011Publication date: July 5, 2012Applicant: AGCO CORPORATIONInventors: Robert A. Matousek, Joshua J. Wolters
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Patent number: 7896732Abstract: A system for chopping and spreading crop residue produced by an agricultural combine wherein the spreader is advantageously disposed directly rearwardly of a cleaning system of the combine for receiving chaff and other crop residue directly therefrom, without aid of a mechanism to convey the chaff to the spreader, and wherein the chopper is disposed just above and/or rearwardly of the spreader and is configured for discharging crop residue from the threshing system of the combine into the spreader for spreading thereby with the chaff.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2007Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: CNH AmericaInventors: Jason M. Benes, Joshua J. Wolters
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Publication number: 20090156277Abstract: A system for chopping and spreading crop residue produced by an agricultural combine wherein the spreader is advantageously disposed directly rearwardly of a cleaning system of the combine for receiving chaff and other crop residue directly therefrom, without aid of a mechanism to convey the chaff to the spreader, and wherein the chopper is disposed just above and/or rearwardly of the spreader and is configured for discharging crop residue from the threshing system of the combine into the spreader for spreading thereby with the chaff.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2007Publication date: June 18, 2009Inventors: Jason M. Benes, Joshua J. Wolters
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Patent number: 7198450Abstract: An agricultural combine including an unloading system wherein an unloading conduit assembly is, in an operational set-up, rotatable or swivelable through an arc of 360° to permit grain unloading into a grain truck located at any point around the combine, whether the combine is stationary or moving. For road travel or storage the unloading conduit assembly, or some portion of it, is pivoted into a set-up wherein the longitudinal conduit is retracted into nesting relationship against the side of the combine and below the top of the grain tank.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2003Date of Patent: April 3, 2007Assignee: CNH America LLCInventors: Robert A. Matousek, Jonathon E. Ricketts, Joshua J. Wolters, Dennis P. Silver
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Patent number: 6769980Abstract: A multiple finger flow guide for a crop residue spreader including an element disposed in a housing and rotatable in a predetermined direction about an axis for driving a flow of crop residue through a discharge opening or outlet of the housing located at a predetermined angular position around the axis.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2002Date of Patent: August 3, 2004Assignee: Case, LLCInventors: Joshua J. Wolters, Robert A. Matousek, James R. Lucas
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Publication number: 20040127271Abstract: A multiple finger flow guide for a crop residue spreader including an element disposed in a housing and rotatable in a predetermined direction about an axis for driving a flow of crop residue through a discharge opening or outlet of the housing located at a predetermined angular position around the axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2002Publication date: July 1, 2004Inventors: Joshua J. Wolters, Robert A. Matousek, James R. Lucas
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Patent number: 6729637Abstract: A side swing hitch for a rear end of an agricultural combine. The hitch includes a hitch support bracket having opposite end portions and an intermediate portion therebetween, a first of the end portions including at least one element for mounting to a rear chassis member of the combine with the other end portion suspended in a position rearward of the rear axle assembly connected to the chassis member. A draw bar is pivotally mounted to the second end portion of the hitch support bracket for pivotal movement between a rearwardly extending towing position generally perpendicular to the rear axle assembly and at least one generally transversely extending stored position at least generally perpendicular to the towing position and beside the rear axle assembly, the draw bar having an opposite end including a hitch element connectable to a tongue of a vehicle such as a trailer or cart to be towed by the combine.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2002Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: Case CorporationInventors: Joshua J. Wolters, Robert A. Matousek, Dohn Pfeiffer
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Patent number: 6719627Abstract: A crop residue spreader for an agricultural harvesting machine, including a housing at least partially containing a rotor rotatable about an rotational axis, the housing including at least one inlet opening for receiving a flow of crop residue from the harvesting machine and a discharge opening through which the flow will be propelled by the rotor when rotated, and a linkage arrangement movably connecting the housing containing the rotor to the agricultural machine for allowing the housing and rotor to be moved between at least one position in relation to the harvesting machine for receiving a flow of crop residue from a threshing mechanism of the machine and a flow of crop residue from a cleaning mechanism of the machine through the at least one inlet opening, at least one position for receiving a flow of crop residue from the cleaning mechanism of the harvesting machine through the at least one inlet opening while preventing a flow of crop residue from the threshing mechanism from entering the at least oneType: GrantFiled: December 17, 2001Date of Patent: April 13, 2004Assignee: Case CorporationInventors: Joshua J. Wolters, Jason M Benes
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Patent number: 6692351Abstract: A crop residue chopper for an agricultural combine including a spaced array of stationary knives. A rotor of the chopper is rotatable about an axis therethrough and includes mounting elements in axially spaced relation, and a plurality of offset knives, each of the offset knives including a mounting end portion fixedly mountable on one of the mounting elements and a an opposite free end portion disposed so as to extend radially outwardly in axially offset relation to the mounting end portion when mounted on the mounting element.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2002Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Case CorporationInventors: Orlin W. Johnson, Robert A Matousek, Joshua J. Wolters, Jason Hull
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Publication number: 20040014511Abstract: A crop residue chopper for an agricultural combine including a spaced array of stationary knives. A rotor of the chopper is rotatable about an axis therethrough and includes mounting elements in axially spaced relation, and a plurality of offset knives, each of the offset knives including a mounting end portion fixedly mountable on one of the mounting elements and a an opposite free end portion disposed so as to extend radially outwardly in axially offset relation to the mounting end portion when mounted on the mounting element.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2002Publication date: January 22, 2004Inventors: Orlin W. Johnson, Robert A. Matousek, Joshua J. Wolters, Jason Hull
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Patent number: 6669558Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine includes a tailings conveyor housing. The agricultural harvesting machine provides a cleaning device for cleaning threshed and separated grain. The tailings conveyor housing collects tailings from the cleaning device and propels the tailings with a first impeller against a first rethreshing member and radially to a second impeller. The second impeller propels the tailings against a second rethreshing member and radially to a conduit in the tailings conveyer housing, where the tailings are redirected back to the cleaning device and spread out over the cleaning device.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2002Date of Patent: December 30, 2003Assignee: Case, LLCInventors: Joshua J. Wolters, Daniel J. Reints, Robert A. Matousek
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Publication number: 20030222427Abstract: A side swing hitch for a rear end of an agricultural combine. The hitch includes a hitch support bracket having opposite end portions and an intermediate portion therebetween, a first of the end portions including at least one element for mounting to a rear chassis member of the combine with the other end portion suspended in a position rearward of the rear axle assembly connected to the chassis member. A draw bar is pivotally mounted to the second end portion of the hitch support bracket for pivotal movement between a rearwardly extending towing position generally perpendicular to the rear axle assembly and at least one generally transversely extending stored position at least generally perpendicular to the towing position and beside the rear axle assembly, the draw bar having an opposite end including a hitch element connectable to a tongue of a vehicle such as a trailer or cart to be towed by the combine.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2002Publication date: December 4, 2003Inventors: Joshua J. Wolters, Robert A. Matousek, Dohn Pfeiffer
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Patent number: 6616528Abstract: A crop residue chopper and spreader for an agricultural combine. The chopper and spreader includes a disk mounted for rotation in a predetermined rotational direction about an axis oriented horizontally or at a small acute angle to horizontal, the disk including at least one radially outwardly extending impeller having a radial outermost periphery. The chopper and spreader includes a housing at least partially containing the disk and including an upwardly facing inlet opening located generally above the disk for receiving a flow of crop residue from a threshing mechanism of the combine, and a radially facing discharge opening located generally below the disk for discharging the flow of crop residue. The chopper and spreader additionally includes cutting elements mounted on the housing and on the radially outermost periphery of the at least one impeller cooperable for cutting the crop residue when passing through the housing from the inlet opening to the discharge opening.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2001Date of Patent: September 9, 2003Assignee: Case CorporationInventors: Joshua J. Wolters, Robert A. Matousek
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Patent number: 6602131Abstract: A mult-tier crop residue flow guide for a rotary crop residue spreader of an agricultural combine including an element disposed in a housing and rotatable in a predetermined direction about an axis which is oriented horizontally or at a small acute angle to horizontal for driving a flow of crop residue through a discharge opening of the housing located at a predetermined angular position around the axis, the flow guide including at least two guide surfaces or tiers having inlet ends disposed in at least generally axially side by side relation adjacent to the discharge opening in position for directing portions of the flow of crop residue in generally the predetermined direction radially outwardly.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2001Date of Patent: August 5, 2003Assignee: Case CorporationInventor: Joshua J. Wolters
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Patent number: 6598812Abstract: A crop residue spreader for an agricultural combine including a unique support element which is an elongate tube, including a center portion and a pair of legs extending outwardly in opposite directions from the center portion, each of the legs including an end portion opposite the center portion and an intermediate portion. The end portions include pivot elements coaxially aligned about a pivotal axis for pivotal connection to a rear end of the combine for movement between spreading and non-spreading positions. The intermediate portions include mounting elements for supporting rotatable crop accelerators in side-by-side relation, and the center portion includes at least one mount for mounting a pair of crop residue deflectors in cantilever relation to the tube and extending partially around the crop residue accelerators, respectively. The tube can also include mounts or supports for holding a shield in desired relation to the crop residue accelerators.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2003Date of Patent: July 29, 2003Assignee: Case CorporationInventors: Robert A. Matousek, Joshua J. Wolters, Jason M. Benes
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Patent number: 6582298Abstract: A variably positionable chaff pan for attachment to an oscillating element of a cleaning apparatus or system of an agricultural combine for oscillation therewith for conveying chaff from the oscillating element to a non-oscillating chopper or spreader mounted to a fixed frame of the combine. The chaff pan is also sidewardly tiltable with the cleaning apparatus or system, if so capable.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2001Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Assignee: Case CorporationInventor: Joshua J. Wolters
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Publication number: 20030114207Abstract: A crop residue spreader for an agricultural harvesting machine, including a housing at least partially containing a rotor rotatable about an rotational axis, the housing including at least one inlet opening for receiving a flow of crop residue from the harvesting machine and a discharge opening through which the flow will be propelled by the rotor when rotated, and a linkage arrangement movably connecting the housing containing the rotor to the agricultural machine for allowing the housing and rotor to be moved between at least one position in relation to the harvesting machine for receiving a flow of crop residue from a threshing mechanism of the machine and a flow of crop residue from a cleaning mechanism of the machine through the at least one inlet opening, at least one position for receiving a flow of crop residue from the cleaning mechanism of the harvesting machine through the at least one inlet opening while preventing a flow of crop residue from the threshing mechanism from entering the at least oneType: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2001Publication date: June 19, 2003Inventors: Joshua J. Wolters, Jason M. Banes
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Publication number: 20030109294Abstract: A crop residue chopper and spreader for an agricultural combine. The chopper and spreader includes a disk mounted for rotation in a predetermined rotational direction about an axis oriented horizontally or at a small acute angle to horizontal, the disk including at least one radially outwardly extending impeller having a radial outermost periphery. The chopper and spreader includes a housing at least partially containing the disk and including an upwardly facing inlet opening located generally above the disk for receiving a flow of crop residue from a threshing mechanism of the combine, and a radially facing discharge opening located generally below the disk for discharging the flow of crop residue. The chopper and spreader additionally includes cutting elements mounted on the housing and on the radially outermost periphery of the at least one impeller cooperable for cutting the crop residue when passing through the housing from the inlet opening to the discharge opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2001Publication date: June 12, 2003Inventors: Joshua J. Wolters, Robert A. Matousek