Patents by Inventor Kevin M. Smith

Kevin M. Smith 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: 12349633
    Abstract: A bale release assembly for an agricultural baler includes: a pair of spaced apart side sheets defining a bale release opening with an opening width therebetween; a tailgate associated with the bale release opening and defining a closed position where the tailgate closes the bale release opening and an open position where the bale release opening is open; and a pair of grasping arms associated with the bale release opening and pivotable about a pivot axis. The grasping arms are each movable between a respective ramp position to form a ramp from the bale release opening to the ground and a respective grasping position where a grasping width defined between the grasping arms is greater than the opening width. The grasping arms define a ramp width therebetween that is less than the grasping width when each grasping arm is in its respective ramp position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Scott C. Simmons, Kevin M. Smith, Albert Childs, Daniel M. Geesey
  • Patent number: 12272134
    Abstract: A system for identifying weeds present within a field includes an imaging device configured to capture an image depicting a plurality of plants present within the field. Furthermore, the system includes a computing system communicatively coupled to the imaging device, with the computing system configured to receive the image captured by the imaging device. Additionally, the computing system is configured to identify a stalk of each of the plurality of the plants depicted within the received image. Moreover, the computing system is configured to determine a parameter associated with each identified stalk. In addition, the computing system is configured to identify each plant of the plurality of plants as a crop or a weed based on the corresponding determined parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Andrew W. Harmon, Kevin M. Smith, Trevor Stanhope
  • Patent number: 12201108
    Abstract: An agricultural sprayer includes a boom assembly having first and second wing boom sections. Additionally, the sprayer includes an actuator configured to adjust a fore/aft tilt angle of the boom assembly, with the fore/aft tilt angle defined between a central axis of the boom assembly and a vertical direction. Moreover, the sprayer includes a sensor configured to capture data associated with a position of the second boom section relative to the first boom section. In this respect, a computing system is configured to determine an angle defined between the first and second boom sections or a height of a tip of the second boom section based on the data captured by the sensor. In addition, the computing system is configured to control an operation of the actuator to adjust the fore/aft tilt angle of the boom assembly based on the determined angle or the determined height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Kevin M. Smith, Roy A. Bittner
  • Patent number: 12181136
    Abstract: A directionally manipulatable view enhancement apparatus including a fixed base, a rotatable support supported on the fixed base and rotatable about a pan axis, a yoke disposed on and pivotable with respect to the rotatable support about a tilt axis substantially perpendicular to the pan axis, a pan motor that rotates the rotatable support and yoke about the pan axis, a tilt motor that rotates the yoke about the tilt axis, and a first clutch between the rotatable support and the pan motor permitting the rotatable support to rotate relative to the fixed base independently of the pan motor or a second clutch between the yoke and the tilt motor allowing the yoke to rotate relative to the rotatable support independently of the tilt motor. The yoke retains an electrical component and the pan motor and tilt motor are in electrical communication with a controller remote from the fixed base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: WHELEN ENGINEERING COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: David J. Sousa, Kevin M. Smith, Sean Brown, Tomasz J. Walczak
  • Publication number: 20240407286
    Abstract: A method of determining a crop yield of a field harvested by a windrower includes receiving, from a header sensor, header data indicative of a load experienced by a header of the windrower, the header including a cutter configured to cut plant material and a conditioning system configured to condition the plant material. The method further includes receiving, from a location sensor, location data indicative of a location of the windrower, and determining the crop yield at the location of the windrower based on the header data and the location data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2023
    Publication date: December 12, 2024
    Applicants: CNH Industrial America LLC, CNH Industrial Belgium N.V.
    Inventors: Glenn M. Bird, Jonathan Eaby, Grant Garber, Geert Mortier, Shawn O'Neal, Kevin M. Smith
  • Publication number: 20240326076
    Abstract: An agricultural system for monitoring spray booms of an agricultural applicator includes a boom assembly having a wing frame section pivotably coupled to a central frame section, with the wing frame section extending along a length. Further, the agricultural system includes a sensor having a field of view directed along a portion of the length of the wing frame section and configured to generate data indicative of a pitch of the wing frame section along the portion of the length of the wing frame section. Additionally, the agricultural system includes a computing system configured to receive the data, determine variation in the pitch of the wing frame section along the portion of the length of the wing frame section based at least in part on the data, and control an operation associated with the agricultural applicator based at least in part on the variation in the pitch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2023
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Inventor: Kevin M. Smith
  • Patent number: 12097850
    Abstract: An agricultural sprayer includes a computing system configured to receive a first input associated with a target application rate at which agricultural fluid is to be dispensed onto the field. Moreover, the computing system is configured to receive a second input associated with a turn being made or to be made by the sprayer. Additionally, the computing system is configured to determine a maximum ground speed for the turn at which a selected nozzle dispenses the agricultural fluid onto the field at the target application rate based on the received first and second inputs. Furthermore, when the turn is being made, the computing system is configured to control an operation of the sprayer such that the ground speed of the sprayer is at or below the determined maximum ground speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Inventor: Kevin M. Smith
  • Publication number: 20240206450
    Abstract: An agricultural system can include a product application system including a first set of nozzle assemblies and a second set of nozzle assemblies. A target sensor can be configured to capture data indicative of one or more features within a field. A computing system can be communicatively coupled to the product application system and the target sensor. The computing system can be configured to activate the first set of nozzle assemblies to apply an agricultural product to an underlying field, identify a target within the field based on the data from the target sensor, determine a characteristic of the target, compare the characteristic of the target to a defined threshold, and activate at least one nozzle assembly of the second set of nozzle assemblies when the characteristic of the target is varied from the defined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2022
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Inventor: Kevin M. Smith
  • Publication number: 20240188552
    Abstract: An agricultural system can include a product application system including one or more nozzle assemblies an actuator configured to move the one or more nozzle assemblies between a first position and a second position. A target sensor can be configured to capture data indicative of one or more features within a field. A computing system can be communicatively coupled to the product application system and the target sensor. The computing system can be configured to identify a target within the field based on the data from the target sensor, determine a nozzle activation time defined by a period between capturing of the data from the target sensor and a nozzle spray fan aligning with the target, and activate the actuator to move the one or more nozzle assemblies between the first position and the second position based on the nozzle activation time deviating from a defined nozzle time range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2022
    Publication date: June 13, 2024
    Inventor: Kevin M. Smith
  • Patent number: 12004439
    Abstract: A bale retriever includes: a chassis; a steering assembly carried by the chassis and configured to steer the bale retriever; a bale pick up carried by the chassis; and a controller operatively coupled to the steering assembly. The controller is configured to: receive a field signal corresponding to a field map; receive a baler travel signal corresponding to at least one of a baler planned path or a baler travel path of at least one baler; define an expected location of at least one bale on the field map based at least partially on the baler travel signal; generate a steering control signal based at least partially on the expected location of the at least one bale; and output the steering control signal to the steering assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Devin Cooley, Scott C. Simmons, Kevin M. Smith
  • Patent number: 11974522
    Abstract: A method for forming a bale of crop material in an agricultural baler. The method includes rotating a baler power-take-off (PTO) shaft at a rotational speed, rotating a bale of crop material in a bale chamber, and sensing, by at least one sensor, at least one bale ejection condition. The at least one sensor is configured to provide at least one bale ejection condition value corresponding to the at least one sensed bale ejection condition. The method further includes receiving, by a controller, the at least one bale ejection condition value, and adjusting, by the controller, the rotational speed of the baler PTO shaft responsive to the at least one bale ejection condition value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Kevin M. Smith, John R. McClure
  • Patent number: 11950537
    Abstract: A crop conditioning device for an agricultural harvesting machine. The crop conditioning device includes a frame, a first conditioning roll connected to the frame, and a second conditioning roll connected to the frame such that the second conditioning roll is movable relative to the first conditioning roll. The crop conditioning device also includes a tension mechanism connected to the second conditioning roll. The crop conditioning device also includes a roll-gap mechanism connected to the second conditioning roll. The crop conditioning device also includes a controller which is configured for automatically setting at least one of an initial tension force and an initial roll gap dependent upon at least one of a type of crop material and at least one operational setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin Steidinger, Jeffrey B. Fay, II, Kevin M. Smith, Jeffrey Laux
  • Patent number: 11903379
    Abstract: A method for performing spraying operations includes monitoring a field condition of a first swath based on data received from a sensor as an agricultural sprayer makes a first pass across a field, the sensor being associated with a first boom section assembly extending over the first swath during the first pass. The method further includes controlling a nozzle assembly as the sprayer makes a second pass across the field to perform a spraying operation along the first swath based on the monitored field condition of the first swath, the nozzle assembly being associated with a second boom section assembly extending over the first swath during the second pass. Additionally, the method includes monitoring a field condition of a second swath based on data received from the sensor as the sprayer makes the second pass across the field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Kevin M. Smith
  • Publication number: 20230380330
    Abstract: A system for a row unit of a planting implement can include a frame. A residue manager assembly can be operably coupled with the frame. The residue manager assembly can include a ground-engaging tool. An actuator can be configured to alter a position of the ground-engaging tool relative to the frame. A sensor assembly can be configured to capture data indicative of a parameter associated with the ground-engaging tool. A computing system can be communicatively coupled to the actuator and the sensor assembly. The computing system can be configured to receive the data indicative of the parameter associated with the ground-engaging tool and activate the actuator to alter the position of the ground-engaging tool relative to the frame based on a deviation of the detected position of the ground-engaging tool from a defined tool position range of the ground-engaging tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2022
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Kevin M. Smith, Trevor Stanhope
  • Publication number: 20230366530
    Abstract: A directionally manipulatable view enhancement apparatus including a fixed base, a rotatable support supported on the fixed base and rotatable about a pan axis, a yoke disposed on and pivotable with respect to the rotatable support about a tilt axis substantially perpendicular to the pan axis, a pan motor that rotates the rotatable support and yoke about the pan axis, a tilt motor that rotates the yoke about the tilt axis, and a first clutch between the rotatable support and the pan motor permitting the rotatable support to rotate relative to the fixed base independently of the pan motor or a second clutch between the yoke and the tilt motor allowing the yoke to rotate relative to the rotatable support independently of the tilt motor. The yoke retains an electrical component and the pan motor and tilt motor are in electrical communication with a controller remote from the fixed base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Applicant: WHELEN ENGINEERING COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: David J. SOUSA, Kevin M. SMITH, Sean BROWN, Tomasz J. WALCZAK
  • Patent number: 11761757
    Abstract: A system for detecting plugging of ground-engaging tools of agricultural implements includes an aft sensor(s) configured to capture data indicative of a post-worked residue coverage of a portion of a field aft of a ground-engaging tool(s). The system includes a controller configured to monitor the data received from the aft sensor(s) and determine the post-worked residue coverage for the portion of the field. The controller is configured to identify when the ground-engaging tool(s) is experiencing a plugged condition based at least in part on the determined post-worked residue coverage for the field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Kevin M. Smith
  • Patent number: 11751556
    Abstract: A system for actuating a boom assembly of an agricultural sprayer, the system having a frame, a boom assembly supported relative to the frame, and a linkage assembly configured to couple the boom assembly to the frame. The linkage assembly includes a support arm pivotably coupled between the frame and the boom assembly, a lift actuator pivotably coupled between the frame and the support arm and configured to raise and lower the boom assembly in a vertical direction, and a nit actuator pivotably coupled between the frame and the boom assembly and configured to adjust a tilt angle of the boom assembly relative to the vertical direction. The system further includes a controller configured to selectively actuate the tilt actuator to adjust the tilt angle of the boom assembly to an operational tilt angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLC
    Inventor: Kevin M. Smith
  • Patent number: 11751511
    Abstract: A method of controlling formation of a bale includes: forming a bale from crop material by rotating the bale in a bale chamber; receiving with a controller of a control system at least one operating condition value corresponding to at least one operating condition sensed by a sensor when the bale is forming; automatically determining with the controller a power take-off speed of a drive mechanism responsive to receiving the at least one received operating condition value; and applying with the control system the determined power take-off speed to the drive mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Kevin M. Smith, John D. Gardus, John Posselius, Jan C. Van Groenigen
  • Patent number: 11747000
    Abstract: A directionally manipulatable view enhancement apparatus including a fixed base, a rotatable support supported on the fixed base and rotatable about a pan axis, a yoke disposed on and pivotable with respect to the rotatable support about a tilt axis substantially perpendicular to the pan axis, a pan motor that rotates the rotatable support and yoke about the pan axis, a tilt motor that rotates the yoke about the tilt axis, and a first clutch between the rotatable support and the pan motor permitting the rotatable support to rotate relative to the fixed base independently of the pan motor or a second clutch between the yoke and the tilt motor allowing the yoke to rotate relative to the rotatable support independently of the tilt motor. The yoke retains an electrical component and the pan motor and tilt motor are in electrical communication with a controller remote from the fixed base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: WHELEN ENGINEERING COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: David J. Sousa, Kevin M. Smith, Sean Brown, Tomasz J. Walczak
  • Publication number: 20230240188
    Abstract: An agricultural machine includes: a machine frame; and a feeder system coupled with the machine frame and including a windguard assembly, the windguard assembly being configured for selectively occupying a first position and a second position by moving therebetween, the first position being associated with a normal flow direction of a crop material relative to the feeder system, the second position being associated with a reversal of the normal flow direction of the crop material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Applicant: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Albert Childs, Kevin M. Smith