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).

  • SENSOR FOR DETECTION OF WRAPPING ON BALE
    Publication number: 20100288140
    Abstract: A baling machine and method for forming a bale is disclosed. A sensor is positioned in the bailing chamber and is positioned to sense an area proximate the perimeter of the bale to determine if material is present, thereby determining if the bale is properly wrapped or not. When the bale is not properly wrapped, material is present in the area proximate the perimeter in which the sensor is active; causing the sensor to send a signal indicating that the bale is not properly wrapped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: CNH AMERICA LLC
    Inventors: Kevin M. SMITH, Christopher A. FOSTER, John POSSELIUS
  • Hydraulic bale kicker with optional weighing device
    Patent number: 7805914
    Abstract: A hydraulically actuated bale kicker apparatus for ejecting a completed bale rearwardly from a round baler without interfering with the opening and closing of the baler tailgate wherein actuators for the tailgate and bale kicker are hydraulically connected in a single, reversible flow hydraulic circuit for coordinated movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventor: Kevin M. Smith
  • OPTIMIZED BALER TAILGATE CYCLE
    Publication number: 20100115911
    Abstract: A round baler has a tailgate moveable between a closed position in which the tailgate extends along the back side of the baling chamber and an open position in which a completely formed bale can be discharged from the baling chamber and a controller programmed to open and close the tailgate in response to a bale discharge signal. The tailgate opens and closes initially relatively quickly and then more slowly as the tailgate approaches the fully open or fully closed position, the rate of opening and closing being determined by the period of time lapsing from the bale discharge signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: CNH AMERICA LLC
    Inventor: Kevin M. SMITH
  • HYDRAULIC SHOCK DISSIPATION FOR IMPLEMENT BOUNCE
    Publication number: 20100051298
    Abstract: To dissipate hydraulic shock created by the bouncing of an implement mounted on a wheeled vehicle, such as a towed tillage implement or the bucket of a vehicle, such as a wheel loader, an electronic control valve, which supplies hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuator that raises and lowers the implement, is actively controlled by an electronic controller. As the vehicle with an implement is transported at higher speeds, the implement tends to bounce creating pressure spikes in the hydraulic system that raises and lowers the implement. The pressure spikes are dissipated by actively generating random or cancelling hydraulic pulses in the hydraulic system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: CNH AMERICA LLC
    Inventors: Kevin M. SMITH, John H. POSSELIUS
  • Self-threading sheet wrapper for round baler
    Patent number: 7644559
    Abstract: A round bale wrapping mechanism that employs a pivoting carrier for two wrapping material rolls, one a stored roll and the other the working roll being dispensed. When the storage roll is to be employed, it is pivoted into contact with the material being dispensed from the working roll and pulled through the threading components of the wrapper. The storage roll thus becomes the working roll and a new storage roll may be installed in place of the empty storage roll (previously the working roll).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventor: Kevin M. Smith
  • Drawbar side cushioning for tractors
    Patent number: 7644946
    Abstract: A removable side impact load cushioning device for use on the hitch on an agricultural tractor or prime mover that allows operator selectable use of the device to dampens side impact loads on a drawbar by enabling slight lateral movement of the drawbar or to retain the drawbar in a generally laterally fixed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventor: Kevin M. Smith
  • HYDRAULIC BALE KICKER WITH OPTIONAL WEIGHING DEVICE
    Publication number: 20090223196
    Abstract: A hydraulically actuated bale kicker apparatus for ejecting a completed bale rearwardly from a round baler without interfering with the opening and closing of the baler tailgate wherein actuators for the tailgate and bale kicker are hydraulically connected in a single, reversible flow hydraulic circuit for coordinated movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventor: KEVIN M. SMITH
  • BUTANOL PRODUCTION BY RECOMBINANT MICROORGANISMS
    Publication number: 20090111154
    Abstract: Provided are microorganisms that catalyze the synthesis of biofuels from a suitable substrate such as glucose. Also provided are methods of generating such organisms and methods of synthesizing biofuels using such organisms. Provided are microorganisms comprising non-naturally occurring metabolic pathway for the production of higher alcohols.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: James C. Liao, Shota Atsumi, Mark P. Brynildsen, Anthony F. Cann, Katherine J. Chou, Roa Pu Claire Shen, Kevin M. Smith, Taizo Hanai, Michael R. Connor
  • Mounting foot assembly for lightbar
    Patent number: 7517120
    Abstract: A mounting foot assembly including a base member with a front wall having a front surface and a foot member with a rear wall having a rear surface. The foot member is adjustably secured to the base member with the rear surface of the rear wall being in facing relationship with the front surface of the front wall of the base member, whereby the angular position of the base member relative to the foot member may be varied. A bracket may be mounted on the foot assembly having a rear crossbar portion adapted to be positioned in a cross channel in the base member and a forward portion extending down in front of the rear wall of the foot member to which a light unit may be attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Whelen Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin M. Smith
  • Suspended drawbar control with selectable operating modes
    Patent number: 7513521
    Abstract: A control for a drawbar of a hitch for a work machine, and at least one method of operation thereof, which provides operator selectable operating modes having different characteristics for different operating conditions and operator preferences, some of which modes being automatically adaptable for changing conditions, such as loading conditions and the like. Selectable operating modes can include, but are not limited to, a locked out mode; a stiffness mode; a position limited mode; a varying load mode; and an active mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: John H. Posselius, Christopher A. Foster, Kevin M. Smith
  • BIOFUEL PRODUCTION BY RECOMBINANT MICROORGANISMS
    Publication number: 20090081746
    Abstract: Provided herein are metabolically-modified microorganisms useful for producing biofuels. More specifically, provided herein are methods of producing high alcohols including isobutanol, 1-butanol, 1-propanol, 2-methyl-1-butanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol and 2-phenylethanol from a suitable substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: James C. Liao, Shota Atsumi, Kevin M. Smith, Roa Pu Claire Shen, Anthony F. Cann, Michael R. Connor
  • LED Warning Light
    Publication number: 20090045933
    Abstract: A compact warning light employs LED lamps as a light source and has a lighthead configured for insertion into the reflector shells of a motor vehicle such as a sedan or SUV. The lighthead has a base and cover which define a sealed interior space surrounding the LED lamps. The base is constructed of heat conducting material and the LED lamps are secured to the base so that heat generated by the lamps is conducted away and dissipated by the base. The base may include a post for supporting a plurality of individually energized arrays of LED lamps. The cover may be optically clear, tinted or provided with facets or a surface texture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: Whelen Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin M. Smith, Todd J. Smith
  • ELECTRONIC DRAFT CONTROL FOR SEMI-TRAILED IMPLEMENTS
    Publication number: 20080257570
    Abstract: A draft load control system for an agricultural tractor coupled to a semi-trailed, ground-engaging implement that monitors implement height using sensors located on the tractor or sensors coupled to an on-board control communications system and adjusts the implement position in relation to the ground through coordinated action of the three-point hitch and the on-implement position actuator based on draft load, implement height, and tractor wheel-slip to maintain a more accurate, consistent draft load on the tractor while maintaining the implement engaged with the ground and preventing the tractor-implement ground speed from being reduced to zero.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventors: Johnny Keplinger, Chris Foster, Kevin M. Smith
  • ELECTRONIC DRAFT CONTROL FOR TRAILED IMPLEMENTS
    Publication number: 20080257569
    Abstract: A draft load control system for an agricultural tractor towing a trailed, ground-engaging implement that monitors implement height using sensors located on the tractor or sensors coupled to an on-board control communications system and adjusts the implement position in relation to the ground based on draft load, implement height, and tractor wheel-slip to maintain a more accurate, consistent draft load on the tractor while maintaining the implement engaged with the ground and preventing the tractor-implement ground speed from being reduced to zero.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventors: Chris Foster, Johnny Keplinger, Kevin M. Smith, John Posselius
  • Sensor for bale shape monitoring in round balers
    Patent number: 7437866
    Abstract: A bale shape indicator includes a sensor configured for use with a substantially cylindrical bale being formed, to indicate, in a non-contacting manner, the presence of crop components corresponding to a predetermined area of an end region of the bale. The indications are capable of being manipulated to determine a density value for the end region of the bale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Kevin M. Smith, John H. Posselius, Christopher A. Foster
  • DRAWBAR SIDE CUSHIONING FOR TRACTORS
    Publication number: 20080185161
    Abstract: A removable side impact load cushioning device for use on the hitch on an agricultural tractor or prime mover that allows operator selectable use of the device to dampens side impact loads on a drawbar by enabling slight lateral movement of the drawbar or to retain the drawbar in a generally laterally fixed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventor: Kevin M. Smith
  • Sensor For Bale Shape Monitoring In Round Balers
    Publication number: 20080148703
    Abstract: A bale shape indicator includes a sensor configured for use with a substantially cylindrical bale being formed, to indicate, in a non-contacting manner, the presence of crop components corresponding to a predetermined area of an end region of the bale. The indications are capable of being manipulated to determine a density value for the end region of the bale.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Kevin M. Smith, John H. Posselius, Christopher A. Foster
  • Mounting foot assembly for lightbar
    Publication number: 20080137356
    Abstract: A mounting foot assembly including a base member with a front wall having a front surface and a foot member with a rear wall having a rear surface. The foot member is adjustably secured to the base member with the rear surface of the rear wall being in facing relationship with the front surface of the front wall of the base member, whereby the angular position of the base member relative to the foot member may be varied. A bracket may be mounted on the foot assembly having a rear crossbar portion adapted to be positioned in a cross channel in the base member and a forward portion extending down in front of the rear wall of the foot member to which a light unit may be attached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventor: Kevin M. Smith
  • Warning light and flange
    Patent number: D616780
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Whelen Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin M. Smith
  • Warning light and flange
    Patent number: D624449
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Whelen Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin M. Smith