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: 10024762
    Abstract: The present invention is a system for controlling the dynamic performance of wheels on an agricultural vehicle. A sensor is mounted on the agricultural vehicle that generates a signal corresponding to the deflection of the tire as the wheel is traveling along a surface. A controller receives the signal corresponding to the deflection of the tire and generates a control signal to an air regulator to either supply additional air to or remove air from the tire. An additional sensor may provide a signal corresponding to a variable load carried by the agricultural vehicle. An accelerometer may also be mounted on the agricultural vehicle and provide to the controller a signal corresponding to acceleration perpendicular to the surface. The controller is further configured to generate control the air regulator as a function of the varying load on the agricultural vehicle and/or based on the signal from the accelerometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: John Posselius, Kevin M. Smith
  • Patent number: 9980437
    Abstract: A system includes a baling chamber designed to form a round bale and a tailgate rotatably coupled to the baling chamber. The tailgate rotates between a closed position that facilitates formation of the round bale and an open position that facilitates ejection of the round bale from the baling chamber. The system includes a ramp coupled to the baling chamber. The ramp is designed to receive the round bale upon ejection from the baling chamber and to direct the round bale away from the baling chamber to a cleared position on the ramp that enables the tailgate to rotate from the open position to the closed position without contacting the round bale. The system also includes a sensor coupled to a distal end of the ramp. The sensor is designed to detect presence of the round bale in the cleared position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial American LLC
    Inventor: Kevin M. Smith
  • Patent number: 9949438
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a harvester capable of continuous bailing of crop material, particularly to a harvester comprising a crop supply chamber positioned in front of a bale chamber, capable of storing crop material during the wrapping of a bale of harvested crop material. The crop supply chamber further comprises a supply inlet at the bottom of the crop supply chamber, a movable control plate positioned within the crop supply chamber, and a movable rear wall capable of adjusting the size of the supply inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Kevin M. Smith
  • Patent number: 9894843
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a harvester capable of continuous bailing of crop material, particularly to a harvester comprising a crop supply chamber positioned in front of a bale chamber, capable of storing crop material during the wrapping of a bale of harvested crop material, and a deflection system, capable of allowing crop material to enter into the bale chamber. The crop supply chamber further comprises a supply inlet at the bottom of the crop supply chamber and a movable control plate positioned within the crop supply chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Kevin M. Smith
  • Patent number: 9877432
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a harvester capable of continuous bailing of crop material, particularly to a harvester comprising a crop supply chamber positioned in front of a bale chamber, capable of storing crop material during the wrapping of a bale of harvested crop material, and a conveyor system, capable of transporting crop material into the bale chamber. The crop supply chamber further comprises a supply inlet at the bottom of the crop supply chamber and a movable control plate positioned within the crop supply chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Kevin M. Smith
  • Patent number: 9854744
    Abstract: A bale density adjustment system for adjusting the density pressure on bale during formation comprising: a bale chamber, at least a first density adjuster, at least a first weight sensor, at least a first diameter sensor, at least a first operator interface, and a controller, in operable communication with and configured to process digital and/or analog information from the at least first weight sensor, the at least first diameter sensor, the at least first density adjuster, and the at least first operator interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Kevin M. Smith
  • Publication number: 20170273247
    Abstract: Monitoring current draw of an actuator associated with a rotating arm on a round baler during a net wrapping cycle is used to determine the position of the rotating arm and actuator, as well as to determine the net tension. The current draw of the actuator may be correlated with the home and insert positions of the rotating arm during the net wrapping cycle; thus by monitoring the current draw, the rotating arm and actuator position is determined and may be provided to aid an operator. The net tension during the net wrapping cycle is a function of the rotating arm and actuator current. A calculation of net tension is determined and provided to an operator, allowing the operator to verify performance issues related to the net tension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventors: Kevin M. Smith, Mark K. Chow, Carl Brewer, James D. Walker, Justin J. Snook, Larry L. Hoover
  • Publication number: 20170202151
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a harvester capable of continuous bailing of crop material, particularly to a harvester comprising a crop supply chamber positioned in front of a bale chamber, capable of storing crop material during the wrapping of a bale of harvested crop material. The crop supply chamber further comprises a supply inlet at the bottom of the crop supply chamber, a movable control plate positioned within the crop supply chamber, and a movable rear wall capable of adjusting the size of the supply inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventor: Kevin M. Smith
  • Publication number: 20170202150
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a harvester capable of continuous bailing of crop material, particularly to a harvester comprising a crop supply chamber positioned in front of a bale chamber, capable of storing crop material during the wrapping of a bale of harvested crop material, and a deflection system, capable of allowing crop material to enter into the bale chamber. The crop supply chamber further comprises a supply inlet at the bottom of the crop supply chamber and a movable control plate positioned within the crop supply chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventor: Kevin M. Smith
  • Publication number: 20170202149
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a harvester capable of continuous bailing of crop material, particularly to a harvester comprising a crop supply chamber positioned in front of a bale chamber, capable of storing crop material during the wrapping of a bale of harvested crop material, and a conveyor system, capable of transporting crop material into the bale chamber. The crop supply chamber further comprises a supply inlet at the bottom of the crop supply chamber and a movable control plate positioned within the crop supply chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventor: Kevin M. Smith
  • Patent number: 9706716
    Abstract: Monitoring current draw of an actuator associated with a rotating arm on a round baler during a net wrapping cycle is used to determine the position of the rotating arm and actuator, as well as to determine the net tension. The current draw of the actuator may be correlated with the home and insert positions of the rotating arm during the net wrapping cycle; thus by monitoring the current draw, the rotating arm and actuator position is determined and may be provided to aid an operator. The net tension during the net wrapping cycle is a function of the rotating arm and actuator current. A calculation of net tension is determined and provided to an operator, allowing the operator to verify performance issues related to the net tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Kevin M. Smith, Mark K. Chow, Carl Brewer, James D. Walker, Justin J. Snook, Larry L. Hoover
  • Publication number: 20170188520
    Abstract: An improved belt tensioning system for an agricultural round baler that increases belt tension to reduce slippage between the belts and the driving rolls during the initial stage of a bale forming cycle when the bale chamber is empty and as the belts are beginning to be rolled. The system includes an accumulator that is pressurized by the tensioning system as a bale is being formed. The accumulator pressure may then be directed to a hydraulic cylinder included in a bale density system to increase tension in the belts after a completed bale is ejected and the bale chamber is being reset for the next bale.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Scott C. Simmons, Michael J. Cooper, Kevin M. Smith
  • Publication number: 20170164558
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a system for adjusting the rotational speed of a hydraulic powered feed roll in a harvester, and specifically to a system where a controller adjusts the rotational speed of the feed roll by adjusting the position of a control valve, which adjusts the rate hydraulic fluid flow through a motor to adjust the rotational speed of the feed roll. In some embodiments, the controller adjusts the position of the control valve so that the rotation of the feed roll matches that of the mechanical drive of an associated tractor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventor: Kevin M. Smith
  • Patent number: 9622417
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a system for maintaining proper tension in the one or more fluidly movable belts during the tailgate closing process of a baling cycle. Sensors are used to obtain position data of the bale density system and tailgate system. This information is used by a controller, which then calculates if an adjustment to the speed of the tailgate is necessary to maintain proper tension in the movable belts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Kevin M. Smith, James D. Walker
  • Patent number: 9622418
    Abstract: An apparatus for inserting a tag into a bale of agricultural material during bale production is configured such that the tag is inserted within the bale material within reading distance of an outer surface of the final bale. In square bales, the tag is placed in either the first or last slice of the bale. In round bales, the tag is place in the outer circumferential layer of the bale as it is formed. The tag may be gravity fed or forcibly fed into the stream of crop material as it passes from the baling apparatus pick-up to the baling chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Kevin M. Smith, Christopher A. Foster
  • Patent number: 9622419
    Abstract: An improved belt tensioning system for an agricultural round baler that increases belt tension to reduce slippage between the belts and the driving rolls during the initial stage of a bale forming cycle when the bale chamber is empty and as the belts are beginning to be rolled. The system includes an accumulator that is pressurized by the tensioning system as a bale is being formed. The accumulator pressure may then be directed to a hydraulic cylinder included in a bale density system to increase tension in the belts after a completed bale is ejected and the bale chamber is being reset for the next bale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Scott C. Simmons, Michael J. Cooper, Kevin M. Smith
  • Patent number: 9585310
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to weighing a bale formed by a round baler. One or more load cells, but not including load cells at each support of the baler, are used to obtain a measurement of the baler containing the bale and a measurement of the baler empty. Factors related to the slope of the surface on which the baler is located, the size of the bale, and the shape of the bale are used to adjust the measured weight of the bale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: John H. Posselius, Kevin M. Smith, Douglas S. Fitzkee, Robrecht M. K. Dumarey, Bart M. A. Missotten, Didier O. M. Verhaeghe
  • Patent number: 9526212
    Abstract: A system is provided that automatically stops a tractor based on position of a twine arm assembly in a round baler. A control system monitors position(s) of the twine arm assembly when an automatic twine-wrapping cycle is initiated. This may include starting a twine arm position monitoring procedure when an initial position change of the twine arms is detected. One or more sensors may be mounted on the baler to detect position characteristics of twine arm assembly, which may include presence or absence of the twine arm assembly at certain locations relative to a bale chamber of the baler and/or movement of the twine arm assembly. When the control system determines that the twine arm assembly is in an insert preparatory position, the control system sends a tractor halt command which automatically stops tractor at the same time that the wrapping procedure begins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Kevin M. Smith, Carl M. Brewer
  • Publication number: 20160316633
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a system for maintaining proper tension in the one or more fluidly movable belts during the tailgate closing process of a baling cycle. Sensors are used to obtain position data of the bale density system and tailgate system. This information is used by a controller, which then calculates if an adjustment to the speed of the tailgate is necessary to maintain proper tension in the movable belts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: Kevin M. Smith, James D. Walker
  • Patent number: 9416378
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: 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