Patents by Inventor Keith W. Wendte
Keith W. Wendte 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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Patent number: 11647687Abstract: In one aspect, a system for controlling the direction of travel of agricultural implements may include a work vehicle having a vehicle-based controller configured to control an operation of a valve provided in operative association with the work vehicle. The system may also include an agricultural implement configured to be towed by the work vehicle. The implement may include a sensor configured to detect an operational parameter indicative of a direction of travel of the implement. The implement may also include an actuator configured to adjust the direction of travel of the implement, with the actuator being fluidly coupled to the valve such that the valve is configured to control an operation of the actuator. The implement may further include an implement-based controller configured to initiate control of the operation of the valve based on sensor data received from the sensor to adjust the direction of travel of the implement.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2020Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Jason T. Czapka, Kevin D. McKee, Kevin M. Smith, Robert J. Longua, Keith W. Wendte, Trevor Stanhope, Marvin A. Prickel
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Patent number: 11483957Abstract: An agricultural implement system includes a down force cylinder configured to apply a downward force to a row unit, and a depth control cylinder configured to vary a penetration depth of a ground engaging tool of the row unit. The agricultural implement system also includes a valve assembly in fluid communication with the down force cylinder and the depth control cylinder. The valve assembly is configured to automatically adjust the downward force by varying fluid pressure within the down force cylinder based on fluid pressure within the depth control cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2020Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Brian T. Adams, Keith W. Wendte
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Patent number: 11135915Abstract: In one aspect, a system for providing implement-based speed control for a work vehicle may include a planter controller provided in operative association with a planter towed by the work vehicle and a vehicle controller provided in operative association with the work vehicle. The planter controller may be configured to access an input associated with at least one predetermined threshold value for an operating parameter of the planter and monitor the operating parameter relative to the predetermined threshold value(s) as the planter is being towed at a current ground speed of the work vehicle. In addition, when the operating parameter differs from the predetermined threshold value(s), the planter controller may be configured to adjust a speed control request transmitted to the vehicle controller to cause the current ground speed of the work vehicle to be automatically increased or decreased between predetermined maximum and minimum speed values set for the work vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2019Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Jason T. Czapka, Kevin D. McKee, Kevin M. Smith, Robert J. Longua, Keith W. Wendte, Marvin A. Prickel
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Publication number: 20210059097Abstract: In one aspect, a system for controlling the direction of travel of agricultural implements may include a work vehicle having a vehicle-based controller configured to control an operation of a valve provided in operative association with the work vehicle. The system may also include an agricultural implement configured to be towed by the work vehicle. The implement may include a sensor configured to detect an operational parameter indicative of a direction of travel of the implement. The implement may also include an actuator configured to adjust the direction of travel of the implement, with the actuator being fluidly coupled to the valve such that the valve is configured to control an operation of the actuator. The implement may further include an implement-based controller configured to initiate control of the operation of the valve based on sensor data received from the sensor to adjust the direction of travel of the implement.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2020Publication date: March 4, 2021Inventors: Jason T. Czapka, Kevin D. McKee, Kevin M. Smith, Robert J. Longua, Keith W. Wendte, Trevor Stanhope, Marvin A. Prickel
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Patent number: 10842068Abstract: In one aspect, a system for controlling the direction of travel of agricultural implements may include a work vehicle having a vehicle-based controller configured to control an operation of a valve provided in operative association with the work vehicle. The system may also include an agricultural implement configured to be towed by the work vehicle. The implement may include a sensor configured to detect an operational parameter indicative of a direction of travel of the implement. The implement may also include an actuator configured to adjust the direction of travel of the implement, with the actuator being fluidly coupled to the valve such that the valve is configured to control an operation of the actuator. The implement may further include an implement-based controller configured to initiate control of the operation of the valve based on sensor data received from the sensor to adjust the direction of travel of the implement.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2018Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Jason T. Czapka, Kevin D. McKee, Kevin M. Smith, Robert J. Longua, Keith W. Wendte, Trevor Stanhope, Marvin A. Prickel
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Patent number: 10813278Abstract: A fertilizer row unit including a toolbar coupling, first and second suspension members, a pressure applying device, a wheel assembly, a knife assembly and a wheel down pressure system. The first suspension member has a first end pivotally coupled to the toolbar coupling. The second suspension member is generally parallel to the first suspension member. The pressure applying device is coupled to the first or second suspension member. The wheel assembly has at least one wheel. The knife assembly is pivotally coupled to both the first and second suspension members. The wheel down pressure system is coupled to the wheel assembly, the wheel down pressure system substantially maintaining a selected pressure on the wheel assembly while the pressure applying device applies varying pressure to at least the first suspension member and the second suspension member.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2019Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Brian T. Adams, Keith W. Wendte
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Patent number: 10709059Abstract: A system for planting multiple types of seed and automatically switching between the varieties during planting in a single planting pass of a planting session of row-crop planting of an agricultural field while controlling seed delivery speed to mitigate seed bounce and/or provide desired seed spacing distances. The system may include a bulk storage system, an on-row storage system, and a charging system that selectively delivers seeds of different varieties from the bulk storage system to the on-row storage system and a seed delivery speed control system that regulates seed delivery speed.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2018Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Keith W. Wendte, Monte Gene Weller, Brian T. Adams
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Publication number: 20200163270Abstract: An agricultural implement system includes a down force cylinder configured to apply a downward force to a row unit, and a depth control cylinder configured to vary a penetration depth of a ground engaging tool of the row unit. The agricultural implement system also includes a valve assembly in fluid communication with the down force cylinder and the depth control cylinder. The valve assembly is configured to automatically adjust the downward force by varying fluid pressure within the down force cylinder based on fluid pressure within the depth control cylinder.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2020Publication date: May 28, 2020Applicant: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Brian T. Adams, Keith W. Wendte
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Patent number: 10660257Abstract: In one aspect, a method for automatically actuating wing assemblies an agricultural implement associated with a work vehicle may include monitoring, with one or more computing devices, a first wing movement parameter associated with folding or unfolding a wing assembly of the agricultural implement during the performance of a wing movement operation. The method may also include determining, with the one or more computing devices, whether the first wing movement parameter satisfies a first condition associated with a first predetermined threshold value defined for the wing movement operation. The method may include, automatically initiating, with the one or more computing devices, movement of the work vehicle relative to a surface on which the work vehicle is supported to assist the folding or unfolding of the wing assembly during the performance of the wing movement operation when it is determined that the first wing movement parameter satisfies the first condition.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2017Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Jason T. Czapka, Kevin D. McKee, Kevin M. Smith, Robert J. Longua, Keith W. Wendte, Marvin A. Prickel
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Patent number: 10588252Abstract: An agricultural implement system includes a down force cylinder configured to apply a downward force to a row unit, and a depth control cylinder configured to vary a penetration depth of a ground engaging tool of the row unit. The agricultural implement system also includes a valve assembly in fluid communication with the down force cylinder and the depth control cylinder. The valve assembly is configured to automatically adjust the downward force by varying fluid pressure within the down force cylinder based on fluid pressure within the depth control cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2017Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Brian T. Adams, Keith W. Wendte
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Publication number: 20200045871Abstract: In one aspect, a system for controlling the direction of travel of agricultural implements may include a work vehicle having a vehicle-based controller configured to control an operation of a valve provided in operative association with the work vehicle. The system may also include an agricultural implement configured to be towed by the work vehicle. The implement may include a sensor configured to detect an operational parameter indicative of a direction of travel of the implement. The implement may also include an actuator configured to adjust the direction of travel of the implement, with the actuator being fluidly coupled to the valve such that the valve is configured to control an operation of the actuator. The implement may further include an implement-based controller configured to initiate control of the operation of the valve based on sensor data received from the sensor to adjust the direction of travel of the implement.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2018Publication date: February 13, 2020Inventors: Jason T. Czapka, Kevin D. McKee, Kevin M. Smith, Robert J. Longua, Keith W. Wendte, Trevor Stanhope, Marvin A. Prickel
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Patent number: 10512202Abstract: An agricultural implement system includes a down force cylinder configured to apply a downward force to a row unit, and a depth control cylinder configured to vary a penetration depth of a ground engaging tool of the row unit. The agricultural implement system also includes a valve assembly in fluid communication with the down force cylinder and the depth control cylinder. The valve assembly is configured to automatically adjust the downward force by varying fluid pressure within the down force cylinder based on fluid pressure within the depth control cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2018Date of Patent: December 24, 2019Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Brian T. Adams, Keith W. Wendte
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Patent number: 10477758Abstract: A seed meter for planting multiple types of seed and rapidly switching between the types being planted in a single planting pass of a planting session of row-crop planting has a segmented seed meter reservoir with multiple seed meter chambers arranged between two pairs of seed disks that may be parallel to each other or angled with respect to each other to define an X-shaped arrangement of the seed disks in the seed meter. Activation and deactivation of the seed disks within the seed meter are synchronized to selectively deliver a single one of the multiple types of seed from the respective seed meter chamber for delivery out of a single seed tube of the seed meter, which may provide absolute and instantaneous on-the-go seed switching within a single row from each seed meter.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2017Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Keith W. Wendte, Brian T. Adams
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Publication number: 20190191620Abstract: A seed meter is provided for planting multiple types of seed and rapidly switching between the types being planted in a single planting pass of a planting session of row-crop planting. The seed meter has a segmented seed meter reservoir with multiple seed meter chambers arranged between two pairs of seed disks that may be better parallel to each other or angled with respect to each other to define an X-shaped arrangement of the seed disks in the seed meter. Activation and deactivation of the seed disks within the seed meter are synchronized to selectively deliver a single one of the multiple types of seed from the respective seed meter chamber for delivery out of a single seed tube of the seed meter, which may provide absolute and instantaneous on-the-go seed switching within a single row from each seed meter.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2017Publication date: June 27, 2019Applicant: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Keith W. Wendte, Brian T. Adams
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Publication number: 20190191619Abstract: A fertilizer row unit including a toolbar coupling, first and second suspension members, a pressure applying device, a wheel assembly, a knife assembly and a wheel down pressure system. The first suspension member has a first end pivotally coupled to the toolbar coupling. The second suspension member is generally parallel to the first suspension member. The pressure applying device is coupled to the first or second suspension member. The wheel assembly has at least one wheel. The knife assembly is pivotally coupled to both the first and second suspension members. The wheel down pressure system is coupled to the wheel assembly, the wheel down pressure system substantially maintaining a selected pressure on the wheel assembly while the pressure applying device applies varying pressure to at least the first suspension member and the second suspension member.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2019Publication date: June 27, 2019Applicant: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Brian T. Adams, Keith W. Wendte
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Patent number: 10308116Abstract: In one aspect, a system for providing implement-based speed control for a work vehicle may include a planter controller provided in operative association with a planter towed by the work vehicle and a vehicle controller provided in operative association with the work vehicle. The planter controller may be configured to access an input associated with at least one predetermined threshold value for an operating parameter of the planter and monitor the operating parameter relative to the predetermined threshold value(s) as the planter is being towed at a current ground speed of the work vehicle. In addition, when the operating parameter differs from the predetermined threshold value(s), the planter controller may be configured to adjust a speed control request transmitted to the vehicle controller to cause the current ground speed of the work vehicle to be automatically increased or decreased between predetermined maximum and minimum speed values set for the work vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2017Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Jason T. Czapka, Kevin D. McKee, Kevin M. Smith, Robert J. Longua, Keith W. Wendte, Marvin A. Prickel
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Publication number: 20190143814Abstract: In one aspect, a system for providing implement-based speed control for a work vehicle may include a planter controller provided in operative association with a planter towed by the work vehicle and a vehicle controller provided in operative association with the work vehicle. The planter controller may be configured to access an input associated with at least one predetermined threshold value for an operating parameter of the planter and monitor the operating parameter relative to the predetermined threshold value(s) as the planter is being towed at a current ground speed of the work vehicle. In addition, when the operating parameter differs from the predetermined threshold value(s), the planter controller may be configured to adjust a speed control request transmitted to the vehicle controller to cause the current ground speed of the work vehicle to be automatically increased or decreased between predetermined maximum and minimum speed values set for the work vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2019Publication date: May 16, 2019Inventors: Jason T. Czapka, Kevin D. McKee, Kevin M. Smith, Robert J. Longua, Keith W. Wendte, Marvin A. Prickel
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Publication number: 20190124822Abstract: In one aspect, a method for automatically actuating wing assemblies an agricultural implement associated with a work vehicle may include monitoring, with one or more computing devices, a first wing movement parameter associated with folding or unfolding a wing assembly of the agricultural implement during the performance of a wing movement operation. The method may also include determining, with the one or more computing devices, whether the first wing movement parameter satisfies a first condition associated with a first predetermined threshold value defined for the wing movement operation. The method may include, automatically initiating, with the one or more computing devices, movement of the work vehicle relative to a surface on which the work vehicle is supported to assist the folding or unfolding of the wing assembly during the performance of the wing movement operation when it is determined that the first wing movement parameter satisfies the first condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2017Publication date: May 2, 2019Inventors: Jason T. Czapka, Kevin D. McKee, Kevin M. Smith, Robert J. Longua, Keith W. Wendte, Marvin A. Prickel
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Patent number: 10264724Abstract: A fertilizer row unit including a toolbar coupling, first and second suspension members, a pressure applying device, a wheel assembly, a knife assembly and a wheel down pressure system. The first suspension member has a first end pivotally coupled to the toolbar coupling. The second suspension member is generally parallel to the first suspension member. The pressure applying device is coupled to the first or second suspension member. The wheel assembly has at least one wheel. The knife assembly is pivotally coupled to both the first and second suspension members. The wheel down pressure system is coupled to the wheel assembly, the wheel down pressure system substantially maintaining a selected pressure on the wheel assembly while the pressure applying device applies varying pressure to at least the first suspension member and the second suspension member.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2017Date of Patent: April 23, 2019Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Brian T. Adams, Keith W. Wendte
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Patent number: 10182522Abstract: A fertilizer row unit including a toolbar coupling, first and second suspension members, a pressure applying device, a tensioned wheel assembly, a knife assembly and a depth control system. The first suspension member has a first end pivotally coupled to the toolbar coupling. The second suspension member is generally parallel to the first suspension member. The pressure applying device is coupled to the first or second suspension member. The tensioned wheel assembly has at least one wheel. The knife assembly is pivotally coupled to both the first and second suspension members. The depth control system is coupled to the knife assembly for controlling the depth of penetration of the knife into the soil. The depth control system includes a sensor that provides a measured depth signal representative of a depth of the knife. The depth control system controls the pressure applying device dependent upon the measured depth signal.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2017Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Brian T. Adams, Keith W. Wendte