Patents by Inventor Larry D. Retzlaff

Larry D. Retzlaff 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: 10064339
    Abstract: A system and method for producing a bale having a target weight set by a user. A processor compares stored actual weights to the target weight, and, based on a difference, adjusts the bale-forming process. The processor may calculate a load value for a connecting rod, measure an actual load value for the rod, and, based on a difference, set a new pressure value for the process, and then repeat these steps until the bale is fully formed. The processor may determine a first line relating a calculated load on the connecting rod to a current pressure, determine a second line relating a measured load on the rod to the current pressure, identify a pressure value at the intersection of the first and the second lines, and make this the new pressure value for the process, and then repeat these steps until the bale is fully formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas G. Schrag, Larry D. Retzlaff
  • Patent number: 9913432
    Abstract: A baling system for baling crop material includes a baling chamber. Moveable doors partly define the chamber and the shape of the bale. Hydraulic tension cylinders extend and retract to apply a force to the moveable doors and the growing bale, and transducers measure the lengths of the tension cylinders. An electronic control unit receives the lengths from the transducers, and communicates via a display at least a relative difference between the lengths for consideration in steering the baling system. In particular, the lengths being equal indicates the growing bale is substantially straight and the baling system should be steered straight, and the lengths being unequal indicates the growing bale is developing a curvature and the baling system should be steered in the direction of the cylinder having the shorter length. The transducers may be located external or internal to the cylinders, and may measure the lengths continuously or periodically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas G. Schrag, Larry D. Retzlaff
  • Publication number: 20170156268
    Abstract: A system and method for producing a bale having a target weight set by a user. A processor compares stored actual weights to the target weight, and, based on a difference, adjusts the bale-forming process. The processor may calculate a load value for a connecting rod, measure an actual load value for the rod, and, based on a difference, set a new pressure value for the process, and then repeat these steps until the bale is fully formed. The processor may determine a first line relating a calculated load on the connecting rod to a current pressure, determine a second line relating a measured load on the rod to the current pressure, identify a pressure value at the intersection of the first and the second lines, and make this the new pressure value for the process, and then repeat these steps until the bale is fully formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas G. Schrag, Larry D. Retzlaff