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).
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Publication number: 20240114816Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2022Publication date: April 11, 2024Inventors: Elijah B. Garner, Dnyanesh K. Dhobale, Kamalakannan Natarajan, Andrew W. Harmon
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Publication number: 20230389465Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2022Publication date: December 7, 2023Inventors: Cary S. Hubner, Lee E. Zumdome, Kamalakannan Natarajan
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Patent number: 11770997Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 1, 2022Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: 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
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Patent number: 11707011Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 3, 2019Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Pablo Petenon, Rogerio Kroth, Elijah B. Garner, Dnyanesh Dhobale, Kamalakannan Natarajan
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Publication number: 20230148469Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2021Publication date: May 18, 2023Inventors: Dnyanesh Dhobale, Elijah B. Garner, Kamalakannan Natarajan
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Publication number: 20220287226Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2022Publication date: September 15, 2022Inventors: 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
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Patent number: 11350559Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 20, 2019Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Elijah B. Garner, Kamalakannan Natarajan
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Publication number: 20200344936Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2019Publication date: November 5, 2020Inventors: Pablo Petenon, Rogerio Kroth, Elijah B. Garner, Dnyanesh Dhobale, Kamalakannan Natarajan
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Patent number: 10806077Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 7, 2018Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Kamalakannan Natarajan, Karthikeyan Narayanan, Anupam Mukhopadhyay
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Publication number: 20200120859Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2019Publication date: April 23, 2020Inventors: Elijah B. Garner, Kamalakannan Natarajan
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Patent number: 10555454Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 31, 2017Date of Patent: February 11, 2020Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Elijah B. Garner, Kamalakannan Natarajan, Dnyanesh Dhobale
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Patent number: 10531605Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 26, 2017Date of Patent: January 14, 2020Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Kamalakannan Natarajan, Dnyanesh Dhobale, Elijah B. Garner, Cary Hubner
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Patent number: 10517205Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 29, 2015Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Elijah B. Garner, Kamalakannan Natarajan
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Publication number: 20190141892Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2018Publication date: May 16, 2019Inventors: Kamalakannan Natarajan, Karthikeyan Narayanan, Anupam Mukhopadhyay
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Patent number: 10257973Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 14, 2017Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Cary S. Hubner, Elijah B. Garner, Kamalakannan Natarajan
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Patent number: 10091927Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 8, 2017Date of Patent: October 9, 2018Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Elijah B. Garner, Jacob D. Salowitz, Kamalakannan Natarajan, Mark Underwood, Drew Whitcomb, Charles T. Graham, Dnyanesh Dhobale
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Publication number: 20180228078Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2017Publication date: August 16, 2018Inventors: CARY S. HUBNER, ELIJAH B. GARNER, KAMALAKANNAN NATARAJAN
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Patent number: 10010023Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 3, 2016Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventor: Kamalakannan Natarajan
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Publication number: 20180160615Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 26, 2017Publication date: June 14, 2018Inventors: Kamalakannan Natarajan, Dnyanesh Dhobale, Elijah B. Garner, Cary Hubner
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Publication number: 20180153096Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2018Publication date: June 7, 2018Inventors: 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