Patents by Inventor KAMALAKANNAN NATARAJAN

KAMALAKANNAN NATARAJAN 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: 20240114816
    Abstract: A wing flex assembly for a frame system of an agricultural implement that includes inner and outer tubes. The outer tube, to which tools of the implement are attached, is slidingly displaceable along the inner tube as the inner tube is downwardly pivotally displaced with a downward flex of a wing frame. A first tool of a center frame can be separated from an adjacent second tool of the wing frame that is attached to the outer tube by a first distance when the outer tube is at a retracted position, and a second distance when the outer tube is slidingly displaced in response to the downward pivotal displacement of the inner tube, the first distance being about equal to the second distance. The wing flex assembly can also prevent contact between the first and second tools when the inner tube is pivotally displaced in an upward direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2022
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Elijah B. Garner, Dnyanesh K. Dhobale, Kamalakannan Natarajan, Andrew W. Harmon
  • Publication number: 20230389465
    Abstract: Example apparatuses, systems, and methods associated with seed double eliminators are disclosed. An example seed double eliminator includes at least one tine that is disposed adjacent to an inner surface of a seed disc. The at least one tine is pivotably movable about an axis of rotation to engage seed doubles located at one or more locations along the inner surface of the seed disc and eliminate excess seeds such that a single seed is retained at the location. The at least one tine is pivotably movable in response to operation of a position selector to cause an angular orientation of the tine to become altered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2022
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Cary S. Hubner, Lee E. Zumdome, Kamalakannan Natarajan
  • Patent number: 11770997
    Abstract: A row unit for a seeding machine includes a seed reservoir and a seed meter assembly having a metering member with a seed side facing the seed reservoir and a non-seed side opposite the seed side. The metering member is operable to selectively move seeds from the seed reservoir. A pump provides a pressure differential between the seed side and the non-seed side for adhering the seeds to the metering member. A conveyor has an inlet for receiving the seeds and an outlet configured to discharge the seeds from the seeding machine. The conveyor includes a belt movable from the inlet to the outlet. A pneumatic seed displacer includes a nozzle disposed adjacent the metering member for concentrating air. The nozzle is configured to eject the air towards the metering member for directing the seeds from the metering member to the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Elijah B. Garner, Stanley R. Borkgren, Cary S. Hubner, Beth A. Wolfs, Michael E. Frasier, Joseph W. Migliorini, Kriss Helmick, Keith L. Felton, Kamalakannan Natarajan
  • Patent number: 11707011
    Abstract: A single disk fertilizer opener assembly for opening a trench in soil includes a frame support and a cutting disk for forming the trench. The cutting disk is coupled to an axle and rotates about the axle as the assembly moves in a working direction. The assembly also includes a first arm pivotally coupled to the frame support and the axle, and a second arm pivotally coupled to the frame support at a location spaced from the first arm. A bracket is coupled to the axle and the second arm, and a scraper is coupled to the bracket and disposed substantially perpendicularly to the working direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Pablo Petenon, Rogerio Kroth, Elijah B. Garner, Dnyanesh Dhobale, Kamalakannan Natarajan
  • Publication number: 20230148469
    Abstract: A row crop planter including a frame, a seed bin supported by the frame, the seed bin configured to hold seeds, and a plurality of agricultural row units coupled to one or more seed bins. Each of the plurality of row units includes a seed deposit assembly, including a disk to cut a furrow in the soil, gage wheel, and a seed deposit chute to direct seeds into the furrow. A bar linkage is operatively connected to the seed deposit assembly. A downforce actuator is operatively connected to the bar linkage and applies a force to the disk and to the gage wheel, to cut the furrow in the soil. A primary actuator is operatively connected to the bar linkage, wherein the primary actuator raises and lowers the seed deposit assemblies, and moves the disk into the soil to cut the furrow at a depth determined by the primary actuator and the gage wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Dnyanesh Dhobale, Elijah B. Garner, Kamalakannan Natarajan
  • Publication number: 20220287226
    Abstract: A row unit for a seeding machine includes a seed reservoir and a seed meter assembly having a metering member with a seed side facing the seed reservoir and a non-seed side opposite the seed side. The metering member is operable to selectively move seeds from the seed reservoir. A pump provides a pressure differential between the seed side and the non-seed side for adhering the seeds to the metering member. A conveyor has an inlet for receiving the seeds and an outlet configured to discharge the seeds from the seeding machine. The conveyor includes a belt movable from the inlet to the outlet. A pneumatic seed displacer includes a nozzle disposed adjacent the metering member for concentrating air. The nozzle is configured to eject the air towards the metering member for directing the seeds from the metering member to the conveyor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Elijah B. Garner, Stanley R. Borkgren, Cary S. Hubner, Beth A. Wolfs, Michael E. Frasier, Joseph W. Migliorini, Kriss Helmick, Keith L. Felton, Kamalakannan Natarajan
  • Patent number: 11350559
    Abstract: A seed meter assembly for a seeding machine. The seed meter assembly has a metering member mounted for rotation about a meter axis and driven to rotate in a direction of travel, the metering member having an inner surface configured to receive seeds and an outer surface and apertures passing through the metering member between the inner surface and the outer surface at a radial distance from the meter axis. The seed meter assembly also has a seed delivery mechanism configured to discharge the seeds from the seeding machine, and a loader including at least one non-cylindrical loader surface movable into and out of a position in which the loader surface is disposed at the radial distance adjacent one of the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Elijah B. Garner, Kamalakannan Natarajan
  • Publication number: 20200344936
    Abstract: A single disk fertilizer opener assembly for opening a trench in soil includes a frame support and a cutting disk for forming the trench. The cutting disk is coupled to an axle and rotates about the axle as the assembly moves in a working direction. The assembly also includes a first arm pivotally coupled to the frame support and the axle, and a second arm pivotally coupled to the frame support at a location spaced from the first arm. A bracket is coupled to the axle and the second arm, and a scraper is coupled to the bracket and disposed substantially perpendicularly to the working direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Pablo Petenon, Rogerio Kroth, Elijah B. Garner, Dnyanesh Dhobale, Kamalakannan Natarajan
  • Patent number: 10806077
    Abstract: An agricultural combine includes a self-propelled agricultural harvesting vehicle and a feederhouse extending forward from the vehicle. The combine further includes a rotor and concave arrangement for threshing and separating grain received in the feederhouse. A cleaning shoe is disposed below the rotor and concave arrangement. The combine moreover includes a grain tank for receiving and accumulating grain from the cleaning shoe and an unloading conveyor for conveying grain from the grain tank. An electrostatic grain cleaner is coupled to a distal end of the conveyor for electrostatically cleaning grain from the grain tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Kamalakannan Natarajan, Karthikeyan Narayanan, Anupam Mukhopadhyay
  • Publication number: 20200120859
    Abstract: A seed meter assembly for a seeding machine. The seed meter assembly has a metering member mounted for rotation about a meter axis and driven to rotate in a direction of travel, the metering member having an inner surface configured to receive seeds and an outer surface and apertures passing through the metering member between the inner surface and the outer surface at a radial distance from the meter axis. The seed meter assembly also has a seed delivery mechanism configured to discharge the seeds from the seeding machine, and a loader including at least one non-cylindrical loader surface movable into and out of a position in which the loader surface is disposed at the radial distance adjacent one of the apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Elijah B. Garner, Kamalakannan Natarajan
  • Patent number: 10555454
    Abstract: A row unit for a seeding machine. The row unit includes a frame, a first gauge wheel arm pivotally coupled to the frame, a first gauge wheel coupled to the first gauge wheel arm, a second gauge wheel arm pivotally coupled to the frame, a second gauge wheel coupled to the second gauge wheel arm, and a depth sensor having a potentiometer coupled to the first gauge wheel arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Elijah B. Garner, Kamalakannan Natarajan, Dnyanesh Dhobale
  • Patent number: 10531605
    Abstract: A seed firmer includes an attachment bracket having a portion provided for attachment to a row unit of a planting machine. A non-compliant arm is provided with a ground-facing surface for engagement with the soil during planting. The seed firmer includes a mount through which the non-compliant arm is connected to the attachment bracket. The mount is a compliant mount operable to deflect and exert an elastic bias force during operation, without deflection of the non-compliant arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Kamalakannan Natarajan, Dnyanesh Dhobale, Elijah B. Garner, Cary Hubner
  • Patent number: 10517205
    Abstract: A seed meter assembly for a seeding machine. The seed meter assembly has a metering member mounted for rotation about a meter axis and driven to rotate in a direction of travel, the metering member having an inner surface configured to receive seeds and an outer surface and apertures passing through the metering member between the inner surface and the outer surface at a radial distance from the meter axis. The seed meter assembly also has a loader including at least one loader surface movable into and out of a position in which the loader surface is disposed at the radial distance adjacent one of the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Elijah B. Garner, Kamalakannan Natarajan
  • Publication number: 20190141892
    Abstract: An agricultural combine has an electrostatic grain cleaner for additionally cleaning grain that has been harvested and cleaned by the agricultural combine, stored in a grain tank and conveyed through an unloading conveyor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Kamalakannan Natarajan, Karthikeyan Narayanan, Anupam Mukhopadhyay
  • Patent number: 10257973
    Abstract: A planter row unit comprises a frame, a furrow opener mounted to the frame to open a furrow, a seed delivery mechanism mounted to the frame to deposit seed into the furrow, a furrow shaper, and a sensor configured to detect a parameter related to seed planting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Cary S. Hubner, Elijah B. Garner, Kamalakannan Natarajan
  • Patent number: 10091927
    Abstract: A seed firmer for pressing seeds into soil during planting. The seed firmer includes a mount for attachment to a row unit of a planting machine. An arm defines a ground-facing surface having at least one point of contact with the ground, including a rearmost ground contact point with respect to a direction of forward travel during planting operation. The ground-facing surface has a transition section directly trailing a rearmost ground contact point, the transition section can extending upwardly from the rearmost ground contact point with a radius no less than 25 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Elijah B. Garner, Jacob D. Salowitz, Kamalakannan Natarajan, Mark Underwood, Drew Whitcomb, Charles T. Graham, Dnyanesh Dhobale
  • Publication number: 20180228078
    Abstract: A planter row unit comprises a frame, a furrow opener mounted to the frame to open a furrow, a seed delivery mechanism mounted to the frame to deposit seed into the furrow, a furrow shaper, and a sensor configured to detect a parameter related to seed planting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: CARY S. HUBNER, ELIJAH B. GARNER, KAMALAKANNAN NATARAJAN
  • Patent number: 10010023
    Abstract: A seed metering system comprising a housing, a seed pick-up disc with a singulating member and one or more resilient members. The housing defines a space therewith which is partitioned by a rotating seed pick-up disc. The seed pick-up disc is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart seed holding grooves. The housing accommodates seeds within a portion of the space which are picked up by the seed holding grooves during rotation of the seed pick-up disc. The singulating member cooperates with the seed pick-up disc to eliminate excess seed within each of the seed holding grooves to ensure sowing of single seed at regular intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Kamalakannan Natarajan
  • Publication number: 20180160615
    Abstract: A furrow following device includes an attachment bracket having a portion provided for attachment to a row unit of a planting machine. An arm is provided with a ground-facing surface for engagement with the soil during planting. A mount of the furrow following device has a first portion coupled to the attachment bracket, and a second portion at least partially defining a pivot connection with the arm. The pivot connection provides relative rotation between the arm and the mount. The mount is a compliant mount provided with a spring that exhibits an elastic bias force as the arm is raised toward the attachment bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2017
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Inventors: Kamalakannan Natarajan, Dnyanesh Dhobale, Elijah B. Garner, Cary Hubner
  • Publication number: 20180153096
    Abstract: A row unit for a seeding machine includes a seed reservoir and a seed meter assembly having a metering member with a seed side facing the seed reservoir and a non-seed side opposite the seed side. The metering member is operable to selectively move seeds from the seed reservoir. A pump provides a pressure differential between the seed side and the non-seed side for adhering the seeds to the metering member. A conveyor has an inlet for receiving the seeds and an outlet configured to discharge the seeds from the seeding machine. The conveyor includes a belt movable from the inlet to the outlet. A pneumatic seed displacer includes a nozzle disposed adjacent the metering member for concentrating air. The nozzle is configured to eject the air towards the metering member for directing the seeds from the metering member to the conveyor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: Elijah B. Garner, Stanley R. Borkgren, Cary S. Hubner, Beth A. Wolfs, Michael E. Frasier, Joseph W. Migliorini, Kriss Helmick, Keith L. Felton, Kamalakannan Natarajan