Patents by Inventor Kurt Townsend

Kurt Townsend 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: 12653085
    Abstract: A steerable toolbar system including a steerable implement. The steerable implement including a toolbar in operable communication with a first end of a hitch, at least one link extending between a second end of the hitch and the toolbar, at least one actuator in communication with the at least one link, and a pivot disposed at a connection point between the hitch and the toolbar. The system also including a controller in electronic communication with the at least one actuator, where the controller is configured to adjust the angle of the toolbar relative to the hitch via actuation of the at least one actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2026
    Assignee: Ag Leader Technology
    Inventors: Alan F. Barry, Loren Leusink, Jacob Christensen, Kurt Townsend
  • Publication number: 20250008874
    Abstract: A system for automatic or assisted steering of an agricultural harvester, comprising one or more snoot sensors configured to sense alignment of the harvester with a harvest row, at least one processor in communication with the one or more snoot sensors, a control system in communication with the at least one processor and an automatic steering system, wherein the control system is configured to command the automatic steering system to drive the harvester along the row in response to feedback from the one or more snoot sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2024
    Publication date: January 9, 2025
    Inventor: Kurt Townsend
  • Patent number: 12144282
    Abstract: Various methods, systems, and devices for flexible and accurate seed spacing control in a seed planting system. The various embodiments receive singulated seed from a metering device and control movement of the seed toward a seed spacing device that receives the seed. The seed spacing device, which is disposed near the soil surface, independently controls the ejection of the seed from the device and thus the spacing of the seed in the furrow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: Ag Leader Technology
    Inventors: Travis Campbell, Kurt Townsend, Loren Leusink, Richard K. Kaufman, Alan F. Barry, Douglas Gilbert
  • Patent number: 11277961
    Abstract: Various methods, systems, and devices for flexible and accurate seed spacing control in a seed planting system. The various embodiments receive singulated seed from a metering device and control movement of the seed toward a seed spacing device that receives the seed. The seed spacing device, which is disposed near the soil surface, independently controls the ejection of the seed from the device and thus the spacing of the seed in the furrow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Ag Leader Technology
    Inventors: Travis Campbell, Kurt Townsend, Loren Leusink, Richard K. Kaufman, Alan F. Barry, Douglas Gilbert
  • Publication number: 20220061208
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods, systems, and devices for flexible and accurate seed spacing control in a seed planting system. The various embodiments receive singulated seed from a metering device and control movement of the seed toward a seed spacing device that receives the seed. The seed spacing device, which is disposed near the soil surface, independently controls the ejection of the seed from the device and thus the spacing of the seed in the furrow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Travis Campbell, Kurt Townsend, Loren Leusink, Richard K. Kaufman, Alan F. Barry, Douglas Gilbert
  • Publication number: 20210051837
    Abstract: The disclosed apparatus, systems and methods relate to a steerable toolbar. The toolbar is able to rotate relative to the tractor or other driving vehicle to reduce misalignment and/or cross-track error. Actuators can be utilized with draft links to pivot the toolbar around a central pivot point and improve the following path of the toolbar implement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: Alan F. Barry, Loren Leusink, Jacob Christensen, Kurt Townsend
  • Publication number: 20190246551
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods, systems, and devices for flexible and accurate seed spacing control in a seed planting system. The various embodiments receive singulated seed from a metering device and control movement of the seed toward a seed spacing device that receives the seed. The seed spacing device, which is disposed near the soil surface, independently controls the ejection of the seed from the device and thus the spacing of the seed in the furrow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Travis Campbell, Kurt Townsend, Loren Leusink, Richard K. Kaufman, Alan F. Barry, Douglas Gilbert
  • Patent number: 9763375
    Abstract: A planter downforce system includes a plurality of hydraulic accumulators. Each of the plurality of hydraulic accumulators is operatively connected to a pressure line associated with a row unit of a planter. A pressure sensor is operatively connected to the pressure line. An orifice is operatively connected to the pressure line to limit flow of fluid within the pressure line to a hydraulic zero-pressure tank. A controller is operatively connected to the pressure sensor and configured to determine accumulator charge pressure of the accumulators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Ag Leader Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kurt Townsend
  • Publication number: 20170013771
    Abstract: A planter downforce system includes a plurality of hydraulic accumulators, each of the plurality of hydraulic accumulators operatively connected to a pressure line associated with a row unit of a planter, a pressure sensor operatively connected to the pressure line, an orifice operatively connected to the pressure line to limit flow of fluid within the pressure line to a hydraulic zero-pressure tank, and a controller operatively connected to the pressure sensor and configured to determine accumulator charge pressure of the accumulators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventor: Kurt Townsend