Patents by Inventor Keith L. Felton

Keith L. Felton 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).

  • 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
  • Publication number: 20230157201
    Abstract: A work vehicle with a metering system, airflow system, and a covering structure moveable between various positions for user access includes features that facilitate assembly and/or disassembly of the metering system. The work vehicle has a venturi structure with a plurality of venturi tubes that are disposed in a compact arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2023
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Inventors: Elijah B. Garner, Stanley R. Borkgren, Keith L. Felton, Andrew W. Harmon
  • Patent number: 11576299
    Abstract: A work vehicle with a metering system, airflow system, and a covering structure moveable between various positions for user access includes features that facilitate assembly and/or disassembly of the metering system. The work vehicle has a venturi structure with a plurality of venturi tubes that are disposed in a compact arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Elijah B. Garner, Stanley R. Borkgren, Keith L. Felton, Andrew W. Harmon
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20200137947
    Abstract: A work vehicle with a metering system, airflow system, and a covering structure moveable between various positions for user access includes features that facilitate assembly and/or disassembly of the metering system. The work vehicle has a venturi structure with a plurality of venturi tubes that are disposed in a compact arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: Elijah B. Garner, Stanley R. Borkgren, Keith L. Felton, Andrew W. Harmon
  • Patent number: 10575457
    Abstract: A method of operating a volumetric metering system for a work vehicle includes detecting, with a sensor as the work vehicle moves, a tilt condition of the volumetric metering system relative to a reference horizontal plane. The method also includes generating, by a processor, a control command for a metering element based, at least partly, on the detected tilt condition. Furthermore, the method includes varying an actuation speed of the metering element according to the control command. A system for this method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Keith L. Felton, Elijah B. Garner, Stanley R. Borkgren
  • Patent number: 10555455
    Abstract: A work vehicle with a metering system, airflow system, and a covering structure moveable between various positions for user access includes features that facilitate assembly and/or disassembly of the metering system. The work vehicle has a venturi structure with a plurality of venturi tubes that are disposed in a compact arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Elijah B. Garner, Stanley R. Borkgren, Keith L. Felton, Andrew W. Harmon
  • Publication number: 20190082585
    Abstract: A method of operating a volumetric metering system for a work vehicle includes detecting, with a sensor as the work vehicle moves, a tilt condition of the volumetric metering system relative to a reference horizontal plane. The method also includes generating, by a processor, a control command for a metering element based, at least partly, on the detected tilt condition. Furthermore, the method includes varying an actuation speed of the metering element according to the control command. A system for this method is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Inventors: Keith L. Felton, Elijah B. Garner, Stanley R. Borkgren
  • Publication number: 20190037764
    Abstract: A work vehicle with a metering system, airflow system, and a covering structure being moveable between various positions for user access. The work vehicle also includes features that facilitate assembly and/or disassembly of the metering system. Furthermore, the work vehicle provides a venturi structure with a plurality of venturi tubes that are disposed in a compact arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Elijah B. Garner, Stanley R. Borkgren, Keith L. Felton, Andrew W. Harmon
  • 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
  • Patent number: 9883624
    Abstract: A row unit for a seeding machine has a seed meter assembly having first and second reservoirs for holding a first pool of seeds and a second pool of seeds, respectively. The seed meter assembly is operable to selectively transport seeds from the first pool and seeds from the second pool. The row unit also has a conveyor with a conduit for receiving seeds and configured to discharge the seeds from the seeding machine, and a seed loader disposed between the seed meter assembly and the conveyor for directing the seeds from the seed meter assembly to the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Kriss Helmick, Keith L. Felton, Elijah B. Garner, Kamalakannan Natarajan
  • Patent number: 9801328
    Abstract: A row unit for a seeding machine includes a first seed meter having a first metering member for singulating seeds and a second seed meter having a second metering member for singulating seeds. A motor is operably coupled to the first and second seed meters to selectively drive the first seed meter or the second seed meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Elijah B. Garner, Keith L. Felton, Kriss Helmick, Kamalakannan Natarajan
  • Patent number: 9795078
    Abstract: A row unit for a seeding machine includes a frame and a seed meter coupled to the frame. The seed meter has a metering member for singulating seeds. The metering member has a groove recessed from a surface of the metering member. The row unit also includes a ramp surface for guiding the singulated seeds from the metering member, the ramp surface being at least partially disposed in the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Elijah B. Garner, Keith L. Felton, Kriss Helmick, Kamalakannan Natarajan
  • Patent number: 9648800
    Abstract: A row unit for a seeding machine includes a frame and first and second seed meters. The first seed meter has a first metering member for singulating seeds, and the second seed meter has a second metering member for singulating seeds. A conveyor having a conduit defining a path for receiving seeds from the first and second seed meters is configured to discharge the seeds from the seeding machine. A wall is movably mounted with respect to the frame between a first position and a second position. In the first position the wall intersects the path of the conduit for guiding a seed into the conduit, and in the second position the wall is spaced from the path of the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Elijah B. Garner, Keith L. Felton, Kriss Helmick, Kamalakannan Natarajan
  • Publication number: 20160128269
    Abstract: A row unit for a seeding machine has a seed meter assembly having first and second reservoirs for holding a first pool of seeds and a second pool of seeds, respectively. The seed meter assembly is operable to selectively transport seeds from the first pool and seeds from the second pool. The row unit also has a conveyor with a conduit for receiving seeds and configured to discharge the seeds from the seeding machine, and a seed loader disposed between the seed meter assembly and the conveyor for directing the seeds from the seed meter assembly to the conveyor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: Kriss Helmick, Keith L. Felton, Elijah B. Garner, Kamalakannan Natarajan
  • Publication number: 20160128273
    Abstract: A row unit for a seeding machine includes a frame and a seed meter coupled to the frame. The seed meter has a metering member for singulating seeds. The metering member has a groove recessed from a surface of the metering member. The row unit also includes a ramp surface for guiding the singulated seeds from the metering member, the ramp surface being at least partially disposed in the groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: Elijah B. Garner, Keith L. Felton, Kriss Helmick, Kamalakannan Natarajan
  • Publication number: 20160128267
    Abstract: A row unit for a seeding machine includes a frame and first and second seed meters. The first seed meter has a first metering member for singulating seeds, and the second seed meter has a second metering member for singulating seeds. A conveyor having a conduit defining a path for receiving seeds from the first and second seed meters is configured to discharge the seeds from the seeding machine. A wall is movably mounted with respect to the frame between a first position and a second position. In the first position the wall intersects the path of the conduit for guiding a seed into the conduit, and in the second position the wall is spaced from the path of the conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: Elijah B. Garner, Keith L. Felton, Kriss Helmick, Kamalakannan Natarajan
  • Publication number: 20160128268
    Abstract: A row unit for a seeding machine includes a first seed meter having a first metering member for singulating seeds and a second seed meter having a second metering member for singulating seeds. A motor is operably coupled to the first and second seed meters to selectively drive the first seed meter or the second seed meter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: Elijah B. Garner, Keith L. Felton, Kriss Helmick, Kamalakannan Natarajan
  • Patent number: 8196534
    Abstract: A volumetric meter for seed or fertilizer having a plurality of roller segments driven by a common drive shaft is provided with clutch mechanisms radially between each roller segment and the drive shaft to enable the roller segments to be individually shut-off to provide section or swath control to the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Bradley J. Meyer, Keith L. Felton, Charles T. Graham
  • Publication number: 20110132244
    Abstract: A volumetric meter for seed or fertilizer having a plurality of roller segments driven by a common drive shaft is provided with clutch mechanisms radially between each roller segment and the drive shaft to enable the roller segments to be individually shut-off to provide section or swath control to the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Bradley J. Meyer, Keith L. Felton, Charles T. Graham