Patents by Inventor Malcolm FAERS

Malcolm FAERS 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: 12628730
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method (10) to control weeds comprising the steps of: a) acquiring geopositional information of planted crop seeds on an agricultural field and generating a crop seed map, b) acquiring soil elevation data and the corresponding geopositional information of the soil elevation on the agricultural field where the crop seeds have been planted or are being planted at at least two different time points and generating soil surface profile maps of the agricultural field, the soil surface profile maps showing the soil surface profiles at the at least two different time points, c) comparing the soil surface profile maps and the crop seed map to identify differences in the soil elevation profile that are not associated with seed growth of the planted seeds on the agricultural field, d) generating a weed control agent spray map on the basis of the differences in the identified soil elevations on the agricultural field that are not associated with seed growth of the planted crop seeds on
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2026
    Assignee: BAYER AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Malcolm Faers, Andrew Charles Chapple
  • Patent number: 12611690
    Abstract: The invention relates to a spray unit (10) with an axle (20), an atomising disc (30), a spray direction modifying assembly (40), and a liquid applicator (50). The atomising disc is configured to spin about the axle centred on the centre of the disc. The liquid applicator is configured to apply liquid to a surface of the atomising disc. The spray direction modifying assembly is in proximity to the atomising disc. The spray direction modifying assembly comprises at least one air channel (41). The at least one air channel is configured to provide air in proximity to the atomising disc to modify the subsequent trajectory of the liquid droplets that leave the outer edge of the atomising disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2026
    Assignee: BAYER AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Malcolm Faers, Yoshitaka Sato, Andrew Charles Chapple
  • Patent number: 12347105
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for agricultural field management. The UAV comprises a control and processing unit (20) and a camera (30). The control and processing unit is configured to control the UAV to fly to a location inside the canopy of a crop and below the vertical height of the crop and/or between a row of a plurality of crops and below the vertical height of the plurality of crop. The control and processing unit is configured to control the camera to acquire at least one image relating to the crop at the location inside the canopy of the crop and below the vertical height of the crop and/or between a row of a plurality of crops and below the vertical height of the plurality of crops. The control and processing unit is configured to analyse the at least one image to determine at least one disease, at least one pest and/or at least one nutritional deficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2025
    Assignee: BAYER AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Malcolm Faers, Andrew Charles Chapple
  • Patent number: 12252278
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for agricultural weed management. The UAV comprises a control and processing unit (20), and a camera (30). The control and processing unit is configured to control the UAV to fly to a location inside the canopy of a crop and below the vertical height of the crop and/or between a row of a plurality of crops and below the vertical height of the plurality of crops. The control and processing unit is configured to control the camera to acquire at least one image relating to the ground at the location inside the canopy of a crop and below the vertical height of the crop and/or between a row of a plurality of crops and below the vertical height of the plurality of crops. The control and processing unit is configured to analyse the at least one image to determine the presence of at least one weed and its location on the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: BAYER AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Malcolm Faers, Andrew Charles Chapple
  • Patent number: 12145728
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an aerial vehicle (10). aerial vehicle comprises a liquid chemical tank (20), at least one liquid spray unit (30), at least one actuator (40), a plurality of sensors (50), and a processing unit (60). The liquid chemical tank is configured to hold a liquid chemical. The at least one liquid spray unit is configured to spray the liquid chemical. The at least one actuator is configured to operate the at least one liquid spray unit. At least one sensor (51) of the plurality of sensors is configured to measure a speed of the aerial vehicle relative to the ground. At least one sensor (52) of the plurality of sensors is a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor configured to measure the direction and distance of airborne particles relative to the aerial vehicle with respect to a fore-aft axis of the aerial vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: BAYER AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Malcolm Faers, Andrew Charles Chapple
  • Patent number: 12108757
    Abstract: The present invention relates to agrochemical compositions based on emulsion polymers; their use for foliar application and their application in aqueous crop protection flowable formulations for controlling agricultural pests, weeds or diseases and reducing the wash-off of active ingredients by rainfall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: Bayer CropScience Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Malcolm Faers, Howard Roger Dungworth, James Richard Wickson, Kathryn Marie Knight, James Alexander Flavell
  • Patent number: 12097960
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle for application of an active ingredient to agricultural crops is configured to hold: a liquid comprising the active ingredient in at least one liquid reservoir housed within or attached to the unmanned aerial vehicle. At least one liquid application unit is housed within or attached to the unmanned aerial vehicle and in fluid communication with the at least one liquid reservoir. The housing of at least one sensor unit which is configured to determine sense information comprising sensing a functioning of one or more of: the at least one liquid reservoir, the at least one liquid application unit, the at least one operating unit. A processing unit determines an instruction to the unmanned aerial vehicle to dock with a base station and get a service from the base station. This determination step comprises utilization of sense information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Malcolm Faers, Andrew Charles Chapple
  • Publication number: 20230406502
    Abstract: The present invention relates to method of spraying a field with a vehicle. The method comprises: moving a vehicle over a plant within a field and spraying the plant with a liquid spray. The liquid spray comprises at least one agrochemical active ingredient and at least one adjuvant. The at least one adjuvant is selected from the group comprising mono-and diesters of sulfosuccinate metal salts with branched or linear alcohols comprising 1-10 carbon atoms, organosilicone ethoxylates, ethoxylated diacetylene-diols with 1 to 6 EO and alcohol ethoxylates. The liquid spray is sprayed at a liquid spray rate such that the volume of liquid spray to be sprayed per area is less than 60 litres per hectare.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2021
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Malcolm FAERS, Andrew Charles CHAPPLE
  • Patent number: 11684065
    Abstract: The present invention relates to new, oil-based suspension concentrates of agrochemical active compounds, a process for the preparation of these formulations and their use for the application of the active compounds contained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: BAYER CROPSCIENCE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Malcolm Faers, Oliver Gaertzen, Andreas Roechling, Arno Ratschinski
  • Publication number: 20230172197
    Abstract: The present invention relates to agrochemical compositions: their use for foliar application; their use at low spray volumes; their use by unmanned aerial systems (UAS), unmanned guided vehicles (UGV), and tractor mounted boom sprayers fitted with conventional nozzles but also pulse width modulation spray nozzles or rotating disc droplet applicators; and their application for controlling agricultural pests, weeds or diseases, in particular on waxy leaves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Applicant: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Malcolm FAERS, Arno RATSCHINSKI, Gorka PERIS URQUIJO, Oliver GAERTZEN, Emilia HILZ, Sybille LAMPRECHT, Silivia CEREZO-GALVEZ
  • Publication number: 20230135631
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for agricultural weed management. The UAV comprises a control and processing unit (20), and a camera (30). The control and processing unit is configured to control the UAV to fly to a location inside the canopy of a crop and below the vertical height of the crop and/or between a row of a plurality of crops and below the vertical height of the plurality of crops. The control and processing unit is configured to control the camera to acquire at least one image relating to the ground at the location inside the canopy of a crop and below the vertical height of the crop and/or between a row of a plurality of crops and below the vertical height of the plurality of crops. The control and processing unit is configured to analyse the at least one image to determine the presence of at least one weed and its location on the ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Malcolm FAERS, Andrew Charles CHAPPLE
  • Publication number: 20230136009
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method (10) to control weeds comprising the steps of: a) acquiring geopositional information of planted crop seeds on an agricultural field and generating a crop seed map, b) acquiring soil elevation data and the corresponding geopositional information of the soil elevation on the agricultural field where the crop seeds have been planted or are being planted at at least two different time points and generating soil surface profile maps of the agricultural field, the soil surface profile maps showing the soil surface profiles at the at least two different time points, c) comparing the soil surface profile maps and the crop seed map to identify differences in the soil elevation profile that are not associated with seed growth of the planted seeds on the agricultural field, d) generating a weed control agent spray map on the basis of the differences in the identified soil elevations on the agricultural field that are not associated with seed growth of the planted crop seeds on
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Malcolm FAERS, Andrew Charles CHAPPLE
  • Publication number: 20230084991
    Abstract: The invention relates to a spray unit comprising an axle (20), a disc (30), a disc shape modifying assembly (40) and a liquid applicator (50). The disc is configured to spin about the axle centred on the centre of the disc. The liquid applicator is configured to apply liquid to a surface of the disc. The disc shape modifying assembly is configured to modify the trajectory of the liquid droplets that leave the spray unit by way of varying the diameter of the disc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: Malcolm FAERS, Yoshitaka SATO, Andrew Charles CHAPPLE
  • Publication number: 20230081762
    Abstract: The invention relates to a spray unit (10) with an axle (20), an atomising disc (30), a spray direction modifying assembly (40), and a liquid applicator (50). The atomising disc is configured to spin about the axle centred on the centre of the disc. The liquid applicator is configured to apply liquid to a surface of the atomising disc. The spray direction modifying assembly is in proximity to the atomising disc. The spray direction modifying assembly comprises at least one air channel (41). The at least one air channel is configured to provide air in proximity to the atomising disc to modify the subsequent trajectory of the liquid droplets that leave the outer edge of the atomising disc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: Malcolm FAERS, Yoshitaka SATO, Andrew Charles CHAPPLE
  • Publication number: 20230063444
    Abstract: The invention relates to a spray unit comprising an axle (10), a disc (20), a liquid applicator (40) and a spray direction assembly (50). The disc is configured to spin about the axle centred on the centre of the disc. The liquid applicator is configured to apply liquid to a surface of the disc. The spray direction assembly partially surrounds the disc. The inner surface of the spray direction assembly is configured to modify the trajectory of all liquid that leaves the outer edge of the disc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Malcolm FAERS, Andrew Charles CHAPPLE, Walter MAYER
  • Publication number: 20230029636
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for agricultural field management. The UAV comprises a control and processing unit (20) and a camera (30). The control and processing unit is configured to control the UAV to fly to a location inside the canopy of a crop and below the vertical height of the crop and/or between a row of a plurality of crops and below the vertical height of the plurality of crop. The control and processing unit is configured to control the camera to acquire at least one image relating to the crop at the location inside the canopy of the crop and below the vertical height of the crop and/or between a row of a plurality of crops and below the vertical height of the plurality of crops. The control and processing unit is configured to analyse the at least one image to determine at least one disease, at least one pest and/or at least one nutritional deficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Malcolm FAERS, Andrew Charles CHAPPLE
  • Publication number: 20220340278
    Abstract: The present invention relates to method of spraying a field with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The method comprises: flying an UAV over a crop within a field and spraying the crop with a liquid spray, wherein the UAV comprises a wing extending in directions perpendicular to a fore-aft axis of the UAV, wherein the wing has a span extending from one side of the fore-aft axis to the other side of the fore-aft axis, and wherein spraying the crop comprises spraying substantially all of the crop at a height of the wing above the crop that is less a length of the span of the wing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Malcolm FAERS, Andrew Charles CHAPPLE
  • Publication number: 20220340277
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an aerial vehicle (10). aerial vehicle comprises a liquid chemical tank (20), at least one liquid spray unit (30), at least one actuator (40), a plurality of sensors (50), and a processing unit (60). The liquid chemical tank is configured to hold a liquid chemical. The at least one liquid spray unit is configured to spray the liquid chemical. The at least one actuator is configured to operate the at least one liquid spray unit. At least one sensor (51) of the plurality of sensors is configured to measure a speed of the aerial vehicle relative to the ground. At least one sensor (52) of the plurality of sensors is a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor configured to measure the direction and distance of airborne particles relative to the aerial vehicle with respect to a fore-aft axis of the aerial vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Malcolm FAERS, Andrew Charles CHAPPLE
  • Publication number: 20220250101
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a disc (10) for a spinning disc liquid atomizer. A surface (20) of the disc comprises a plurality of concentric rings (30) having different radii centred on the centre of the disc. A first concentric ring (40) of an adjacent pair of concentric rings has a surface configured to exhibit a first level of adhesion to the liquid. A second concentric ring (50) of the adjacent pair of concentric rings has a surface configured to exhibit a second level of adhesion to the liquid, and wherein the first level of adhesion is less than the second level of adhesion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Malcolm FAERS, Andrew Charles CHAPPLE
  • Publication number: 20220217977
    Abstract: The present invention relates to agrochemical compositions: their use for foliar application; their use at low spray volumes; their use by unmanned aerial systems (UAS), unmanned guided vehicles (UGV), and tractor mounted boom sprayers fitted with conventional nozzles but also pulse width modulation spray nozzles or rotating disc droplet applicators; and their application for controlling agricultural pests, 10 weeds or diseases, in particular on waxy leaves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Applicants: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft, Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Malcolm FAERS, Arno RATSCHINSKI, Andreas RÖCHLING, Gorka PERIS URQUIJO, Oliver GAERTZEN, Emilia HILZ, Sybille LAMPRECHT, Elisabeth ASMUS, Udo BICKERS, Silvia CEREZO-GALVEZ