Patents by Inventor Larry M. Conrad
Larry M. Conrad 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).
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Publication number: 20220183217Abstract: A system for dispensing liquid agricultural products with seed includes an agricultural product supply system configured to dispense agricultural products. The system includes a seed tube for introducing seed. A tube-mounted nozzle is positioned on the seed tube for introducing liquid agricultural product into the seed tube. A gaseous fluid line is in fluid connection to a source of gaseous fluid. A gaseous fluid bubble generation assembly is in fluid communication with the gaseous fluid line. The gaseous fluid bubble generation assembly is configured to generate bubbles. The gaseous fluid bubble generation assembly is arranged and constructed so that when the gaseous fluid from the gaseous fluid line is passed therethrough bubbles are generated and agglomerated when the gaseous fluid encounters the liquid agricultural product within the seed tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2022Publication date: June 16, 2022Applicant: AMVAC CHEMICAL CORPORATIONInventors: Richard L. Rice, KYLE CECIL, LARRY M. CONRAD, WILLIAM C. MARTIN, MATTHEW T. MILLER, JONATHAN E. STURM, TRAVIS M. SWEHLA
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Publication number: 20220142066Abstract: A supply tube assembly for measuring a liquid agricultural product application rate. An upstream portion of a supply tube has an upstream portion outlet end. A downstream portion has a downstream portion inlet end. The sensor body assembly includes a sensor body, a first sensing plate, and a second sensing plate. The sensor body has a sensor inlet end positioned to receive an inlet flow of the liquid agricultural product from the upstream portion and a sensor outlet end positioned to receive an outlet flow of the liquid agricultural product. The sensor body is an enclosure having a cross sectional area larger than the cross sectional area of the upstream portion of the supply tube and the downstream portion of the supply tube. Electronic components are configured to measure the liquid agricultural product application rate between the first sensing plate and the second sensing plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2022Publication date: May 12, 2022Applicant: AMVAC CHEMICAL CORPORATIONInventors: Larry M. Conrad, RICHARD L. RICE
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Publication number: 20220095531Abstract: A system for dispensing low rate agricultural products, includes a syringe-based agricultural product metering system, at least one agricultural product tube, and an agricultural product metering system. The agricultural product metering system is operably connected to a source of low rate agricultural products. The agricultural product tube is operatively connected to the agricultural product metering system. The agricultural product metering system is configured to dispense liquid low rate agricultural products at a low rate defined as below 3.7 fluid ounces per 1000 row feet.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2021Publication date: March 31, 2022Applicant: AMVAC CHEMICAL CORPORATIONInventors: KEITH WOODRUFF, RICHARD L. RICE, LARRY M. CONRAD
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Patent number: 11231305Abstract: A flow sensor apparatus for monitoring a directed stream of an agricultural product from an application port of a supply tube. The directed stream has a target directed portion and an off-target portion. A sensor housing includes a conical flow receiving element and a sensor body. The receiving element has an inlet orifice at a first end and a receiving element outlet at a second end. The first end is smaller than the second end. The sensor body has a sensor inlet end positioned to receive a target directed portion of the directed stream from the receiving element outlet of the conical flow receiving element wherein an off-target portion of the directed stream is not sensed. The sensor housing and sensor element are positioned external to the application port and thus positioned to provide measurement, targeting, and timing of the agricultural product.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2021Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: AMVAC CHEMICAL CORPORATIONInventors: Larry M. Conrad, Richard L. Rice
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Publication number: 20210289684Abstract: A system for dispensing liquid agricultural products with seed includes a control system; a seed transport mechanism; an agricultural product supply system; and, a seed brush assembly. The seed transport mechanism is affixed to a seed planter row unit. The agricultural product supply system is configured to dispense agricultural products in response to an output signal from the control system. A brush housing structure of the seed brush assembly receives seed from the seed transport mechanism. A brush of the seed brush assembly has bristles positioned within the brush housing structure. The agricultural product supply system is configured to dispense the liquid agricultural products onto the bristles. The bristles are configured to minimize the resistance associated with the passage of seed past the wetted bristles. The liquid agricultural product is transferred from the brushes onto the seed as the seed is dispensed prior to the seed hitting the ground.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2021Publication date: September 23, 2021Applicant: AMVAC CHEMICAL CORPORATIOInventors: RICHARD L. RICE, LARRY M. CONRAD
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Patent number: 11122730Abstract: A system for dispensing multiple low rate agricultural products, includes a syringe-based agricultural product metering system, a number of agricultural product tubes, and an agricultural product metering system. The agricultural product metering system is operably connected to sources of low rate agricultural products. The agricultural product tubes are operatively connected to the agricultural product metering system. The agricultural product metering system is configured to dispense liquid low rate agricultural products at a low rate defined as below 3.7 fluid ounces per 1000 row feet.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2021Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: AMVAC CHEMICAL CORPORATIONInventors: Keith Woodruff, Richard L. Rice, Larry M. Conrad
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Patent number: 11058046Abstract: A system for dispensing multiple low rate agricultural products that includes a multiple low rate agricultural (MLRA) product application device configured to cooperate with a planting equipment monitor assembly positioned to sense a seed being discharged from high speed planting equipment. Each MLRA product application device comprises a common housing for a number of low rate agricultural product input assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2019Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: AMVAC CHEMICAL CORPORATIONInventors: Larry M. Conrad, Richard L. Rice, Keith Woodruff
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Publication number: 20210199481Abstract: A flow sensor apparatus for monitoring a directed stream of an agricultural product from an application port of a supply tube. The directed stream has a target directed portion and an off-target portion. A sensor housing includes a conical flow receiving element and a sensor body. The receiving element has an inlet orifice at a first end and a receiving element outlet at a second end. The first end is smaller than the second end. The sensor body has a sensor inlet end positioned to receive a target directed portion of the directed stream from the receiving element outlet of the conical flow receiving element wherein an off-target portion of the directed stream is not sensed. The sensor housing and sensor element are positioned external to the application port and thus positioned to provide measurement, targeting, and timing of the agricultural product.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2021Publication date: July 1, 2021Applicant: AMVAC CHEMICAL CORPORATIONInventors: Larry M. Conrad, RICHARD L. RICE
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Patent number: 11026362Abstract: A system for dispensing liquid agricultural products with seed includes a control system; a seed transport mechanism; an agricultural product supply system; and, a seed brush assembly. The seed transport mechanism is affixed to a seed planter row unit. The agricultural product supply system is configured to dispense agricultural products in response to an output signal from the control system. A brush housing structure of the seed brush assembly receives seed from the seed transport mechanism. A brush of the seed brush assembly has bristles positioned within the brush housing structure. The agricultural product supply system is configured to dispense the liquid agricultural products onto the bristles. The bristles are configured to minimize the resistance associated with the passage of seed past the wetted bristles. The liquid agricultural product is transferred from the brushes onto the seed as the seed is dispensed prior to the seed hitting the ground.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2020Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: AMVAC CHEMICAL CORPORATIONInventors: Richard L. Rice, Larry M. Conrad
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Publication number: 20210153422Abstract: A system for dispensing multiple low rate agricultural products, includes a syringe-based agricultural product metering system, a number of agricultural product tubes, and an agricultural product metering system. The agricultural product metering system is operably connected to sources of low rate agricultural products. The agricultural product tubes are operatively connected to the agricultural product metering system. The agricultural product metering system is configured to dispense liquid low rate agricultural products at a low rate defined as below 3.7 fluid ounces per 1000 row feet.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2021Publication date: May 27, 2021Applicant: AMVAC CHEMICAL CORPORATIONInventors: KEITH WOODRUFF, RICHARD L. RICE, LARRY M. CONRAD
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Patent number: 10948323Abstract: An electric measurement method and apparatus for detecting a mass by an electric capacity (permittivity) or a material's dielectric constant, or alternatively, electric inductance (permeability). The mass may be any phase or combination of phases. The mass may be stationary or flowing. It may comprise discrete particles such as grain, or manufactured products such as ball bearings or threaded fasteners, etc. The mass may be a flow element in a rotameter or similar flow measurement device. The sensor comprises a volume which may be completely full or only partially full of the material. The material may be discrete components or a continuum. Sensor signals may be received by existing planter monitoring systems. In some embodiments the flow sensors are positioned external to the application port. In some embodiments sensors may be utilized which are responsive to the refractive index variation of specific chemicals.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2020Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: AMVAC CHEMICAL CORPORATIONInventors: Larry M. Conrad, Robert J. Weber
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Publication number: 20210029869Abstract: A system for dispensing agricultural products includes an agricultural product container having a memory circuit associated therewith for storing data, the stored data including data unique to the container and the quantity of material dispensed including specific rates of application. An application rate meter device is operatively connected to the agricultural product container and is configured to dispense the agricultural product from the agricultural product container. Precision placement equipment includes a placement tube assembly operatively connected to the application rate meter device to place the agricultural products in the desired locations for efficient activity of the agricultural product. Each placement tube assembly is mounted between depth wheels of a depth control wheel assembly of a planter for placement of product in-furrow between the depth wheels.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2020Publication date: February 4, 2021Inventors: LARRY M. CONRAD, REX A. RYSDAM, NATHANIEL R. CLAUSSEN, RICHARD M. PORTER
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Publication number: 20200383263Abstract: A system for dispensing liquid agricultural products with seed includes a control system; a seed transport mechanism; an agricultural product supply system; and, a seed brush assembly. The seed transport mechanism is affixed to a seed planter row unit. The agricultural product supply system is configured to dispense agricultural products in response to an output signal from the control system. A brush housing structure of the seed brush assembly receives seed from the seed transport mechanism. A brush of the seed brush assembly has bristles positioned within the brush housing structure. The agricultural product supply system is configured to dispense the liquid agricultural products onto the bristles. The bristles are configured to minimize the resistance associated with the passage of seed past the wetted bristles. The liquid agricultural product is transferred from the brushes onto the seed as the seed is dispensed prior to the seed hitting the ground.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2020Publication date: December 10, 2020Applicant: AMVAC CHEMICAL CORPORATIONInventors: RICHARD L. RICE, LARRY M. CONRAD
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Publication number: 20200363244Abstract: An electric measurement method and apparatus for detecting a mass by an electric capacity (permittivity) or a material's dielectric constant, or alternatively, electric inductance (permeability). The mass may be any phase or combination of phases. The mass may be stationary or flowing. It may comprise discrete particles such as grain, or manufactured products such as ball bearings or threaded fasteners, etc. The mass may be a flow element in a rotameter or similar flow measurement device. The sensor comprises a volume which may be completely full or only partially full of the material. The material may be discrete components or a continuum. Sensor signals may be received by existing planter monitoring systems. In some embodiments the flow sensors are positioned external to the application port. In some embodiments sensors may be utilized which are responsive to the refractive index variation of specific chemicals.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2020Publication date: November 19, 2020Applicant: AMVAC CHEMICAL CORPORATIONInventors: Larry M. Conrad, Robert J. Weber
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Patent number: 10806073Abstract: A system for dispensing agricultural products includes an agricultural product container having a memory circuit associated therewith for storing data, the stored data including data unique to the container and the quantity of material dispensed including specific rates of application. An application rate meter device is operatively connected to the agricultural product container and is configured to dispense the agricultural product from the agricultural product container. Precision placement equipment includes a placement tube assembly operatively connected to the application rate meter device to place the agricultural products in the desired locations for efficient activity of the agricultural product. Each placement tube assembly is mounted between depth wheels of a depth control wheel assembly of a planter for placement of product in-furrow between the depth wheels.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2019Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: AMVAC CHEMICAL CORPORATIONInventors: Larry M. Conrad, Rex A. Rysdam, Nathaniel R. Claussen, Richard M. Porter
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Patent number: 10739173Abstract: An electric measurement method and apparatus for detecting a mass by an electric capacity (permittivity) or a material's dielectric constant, or alternatively, electric inductance (permeability). The mass may be any phase or combination of phases. The mass may be stationary or flowing. It may comprise discrete particles such as grain, or manufactured products such as ball bearings or threaded fasteners, etc. The mass may be a flow element in a rotameter or similar flow measurement device. The sensor comprises a volume which may be completely full or only partially full of the material. The material may be discrete components or a continuum. Sensor signals may be received by existing planter monitoring systems. In some embodiments the flow sensors are positioned external to the application port. In some embodiments sensors may be utilized which are responsive to the refractive index variation of specific chemicals.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2019Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: AMERICAN CHEMICAL CORPORATIONInventors: Larry M. Conrad, Robert J. Weber
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Publication number: 20200120862Abstract: A system for dispensing crop input products from multiple meters per crop row, including: a) a georeferencing module configured to receive and process georeferenced location information; b) a prescriptive control module configured to receive the processed georeferenced location information from the georeferencing module and utilize the georeferenced location information to generate specific prescriptive rate information for individual meters in the field; and, c) a meter controller module operatively connected to the prescriptive control module. The meter controller module is configured to utilize the specific prescriptive rate information to individually control multiple meters per crop row, to simultaneously dispense crop input products at specific prescriptive rates at georeferenced locations throughout the field.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2019Publication date: April 23, 2020Applicant: AMVAC Chemical CorporationInventors: ERIC G. WINTEMUTE, JOHN J. RICHARDSON, RICHARD L. RICE, LARRY M. CONRAD, REX A. RYSDAM, NATHANIEL R. CLAUSSEN, RICHARD M. PORTER
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Publication number: 20200037497Abstract: A system for dispensing agricultural products includes an agricultural product container having a memory circuit associated therewith for storing data, the stored data including data unique to the container and the quantity of material dispensed including specific rates of application. An application rate meter device is operatively connected to the agricultural product container and is configured to dispense the agricultural product from the agricultural product container. Precision placement equipment includes a placement tube assembly operatively connected to the application rate meter device to place the agricultural products in the desired locations for efficient activity of the agricultural product. Each placement tube assembly is mounted between depth wheels of a depth control wheel assembly of a planter for placement of product in-furrow between the depth wheels.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2019Publication date: February 6, 2020Inventors: LARRY M. CONRAD, REX A. RYSDAM, NATHANIEL R. CLAUSSEN, RICHARD M. PORTER
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Publication number: 20200037492Abstract: A system for dispensing multiple low rate agricultural products that includes a multiple low rate agricultural (MLRA) product application device configured to cooperate with a planting equipment monitor assembly positioned to sense a seed being discharged from high speed planting equipment. Each MLRA product application device comprises a common housing for a number of low rate agricultural product input assemblies.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2019Publication date: February 6, 2020Applicant: AMVAC CHEMICAL CORPORATIONInventors: LARRY M. CONRAD, RICHARD L. RICE, KEITH WOODRUFF
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Patent number: 10517206Abstract: A system for dispensing crop input products from multiple meters per crop row, including: a) a georeferencing module configured to receive and process georeferenced location information; b) a prescriptive control module configured to receive the processed georeferenced location information from the georeferencing module and utilize the georeferenced location information to generate specific prescriptive rate information for individual meters in the field; and, c) a meter controller module operatively connected to the prescriptive control module. The meter controller module is configured to utilize the specific prescriptive rate information to individually control multiple meters per crop row, to simultaneously dispense crop input products at specific prescriptive rates at georeferenced locations throughout the field.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2017Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: AMVAC CHEMICAL CORPORATIONInventors: Eric G. Wintemute, John J. Richardson, Richard L. Rice, Larry M. Conrad, Rex A. Rysdam, Nathaniel R. Claussen, Richard M. Porter