Patents by Inventor Mark D. Dilts
Mark D. Dilts 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: 20160007537Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes a chassis and a residue handling system carried by the chassis. The residue handling system includes a set of rotating knives disposed in a housing, a first set of counter-knives, and a residue pivoting platform and/or a second set of counter-knives. Crop residue travels through the system in a residue flow direction. The first set of counter-knives are configured to enter the housing proximate to the set of rotating knives. The residue pivoting platform is positioned proximate to the first set of counter-knives in an upstream direction relative to the crop residue flow direction. The second set of counter-knives are configured to enter the housing proximate to the set of rotating knives. The second set of counter-knives are in a downstream direction relative to the crop residue flow from at least one of the residue pivoting platform and the first set of counter-knives.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2014Publication date: January 14, 2016Applicant: CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLCInventors: Mark D. Dilts, Nathan E. Isaac, Austin L. Jackson, Cooper W. Linde
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Patent number: 9227193Abstract: A chopper assembly for harvesting equipment including a rotary chopper device with a plurality of knives and a cylindrical chopper grate assembly spaced from the rotary chopper to form a passageway for crop residue. The chopper grate assembly includes a plurality of slots extending in the direction of crop residue flow. A knife bank assembly includes a plurality of knife elements aligned with and insertable in the slots with the knife bank assembly being displaceable toward and between a position where the bank knife elements are fully inserted through the slots into the passageway and a position where they are substantially clear of the passageway. A deflector is provided for covering the slots and the deflector is displaceable with the knife elements to uncover the slots as the knife elements are displaced through the slots and into the passageway.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2014Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Mark D. Dilts, Nathan E. Isaac, Craig E. Murray, Nicholas S. Shane
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Patent number: 9137949Abstract: A chopper assembly for harvesting equipment including a knife bank movable between a first position where knife elements of the knife bank are fully inserted into a passageway for crop residue and a second position where knife elements of the knife bank are fully retracted from the passageway. A body has a slot or profile, the body secured to the knife bank and at least one knife element, the body and the knife element configured to move relative to the knife bank. A resilient device operably connects the slot or profile and the knife bank, the resilient device preventing movement of the knife element away from the first position and toward the second position until the knife element is subjected to a predetermined force. Upon removal of the predetermined force, the resilient device urges the knife element to move toward the first position.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2012Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Nathan E. Isaac, Andrew V. Lauwers, Mark D. Dilts
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Patent number: 9107345Abstract: A shifting method for an inline shaft system of a chopper system of an agricultural harvester is described and illustrated. The method includes the steps of detecting, temporarily rotating and engaging. The detecting step detects a failure to properly engage a shift collar with a splined component. The temporarily rotating step temporarily rotates the inline shaft system. The engaging step engages the shift collar with the splined component.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2013Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Chase Patterson, Mark D. Dilts, Nathan E. Isaac, Michael A. Conrad
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Publication number: 20150208579Abstract: An agricultural harvester residue handling selection method having the steps of: selecting a chop/swath residue handling mode resulting in a mode selection; setting a chopper speed range for a chopper in a residue handling section dependent upon the mode selection; and positioning a windrow door dependent upon the mode selection.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2015Publication date: July 30, 2015Applicant: CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA, LLCInventors: Chase Patterson, Mark D. Dilts, Nathan E. Isaac, Michael A. Conrad
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Publication number: 20140327223Abstract: An agricultural machine includes: a base member; and a step assembly coupled with the base member. The step assembly includes: a support member coupled with the base member and configured for moving relative to the base member between a support member storage position and a support member operating position; and at least one step coupled with the support member and configured for moving relative to the support member between a step storage position and a step operating position, the step assembly being in a step assembly storage position when the support member is in the support member storage position and the at least one step is in the step storage position, the step assembly being in a step assembly operating position when the support member is in the support member operating position and the at least one step is in the step operating position.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2013Publication date: November 6, 2014Applicant: CNH America LLCInventors: Mark D. Dilts, Nathan E. Isaac
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Publication number: 20140325953Abstract: A shifting method for an inline shaft system of a chopper system of an agricultural harvester is described and illustrated. The method includes the steps of detecting, temporarily rotating and engaging. The detecting step detects a failure to properly engage a shift collar with a splined component. The temporarily rotating step temporarily rotates the inline shaft system. The engaging step engages the shift collar with the splined component.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2013Publication date: November 6, 2014Applicant: CNH America LLCInventors: Chase Patterson, Mark D. Dilts, Nathan E. Isaac, Michael A. Conrad
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Publication number: 20140326815Abstract: A chopper assembly for harvesting equipment including a rotary chopper device with a plurality of knives and a cylindrical chopper grate assembly spaced from the rotary chopper to form a passageway for crop residue. The chopper grate assembly includes a plurality of slots extending in the direction of crop residue flow. A knife bank assembly includes a plurality of knife elements aligned with and insertable in the slots with the knife bank assembly being displaceable toward and between a position where the bank knife elements are fully inserted through the slots into the passageway and a position where they are substantially clear of the passageway. A deflector is provided for covering the slots and the deflector is displaceable with the knife elements to uncover the slots as the knife elements are displaced through the slots and into the passageway.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2014Publication date: November 6, 2014Applicant: CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLCInventors: Mark D. Dilts, Nathan E. Isaac, Craig E. Murray, Nicholas S. Shane
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Publication number: 20140179383Abstract: A chopper assembly for harvesting equipment including a knife bank movable between a first position where knife elements of the knife bank are fully inserted into a passageway for crop residue and a second position where knife elements of the knife bank are fully retracted from the passageway. A body has a slot or profile, the body secured to the knife bank and at least one knife element, the body and the knife element configured to move relative to the knife bank. A resilient device operably connects the slot or profile and the knife bank, the resilient device preventing movement of the knife element away from the first position and toward the second position until the knife element is subjected to a predetermined force. Upon removal of the predetermined force, the resilient device urges the knife element to move toward the first position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 26, 2012Publication date: June 26, 2014Applicant: CNH AMERICA LLCInventors: Nathan E. ISAAC, Andrew V. LAUWERS, Mark D. DILTS
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Patent number: 8512114Abstract: A material chopper may include a counter shear bar, a plurality of stationary knives associated with the counter shear bar, a shaft, at least one rotor section operatively connected to the shaft, each of the at least one rotor section configured to rotate with the shaft, at least one knife holder in each of the at least one rotor section, at least one knife operatively connected to each of the at least one knife holder, and slots in each of the at least one knife holder, wherein edges of the slot provide counter shear surfaces for the plurality of stationary knives. The material chopper may be added to or incorporated into a harvesting machine such as a combine.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2008Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Stuart J. Birrell, Benjamin J. Schlesser, Mark D. Dilts
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Publication number: 20120245802Abstract: A harvesting machine, a method for harvesting using the harvesting machine, a crop residue harvesting system for the harvesting machine, and an apparatus are provided. The arrangement described herein spreads crop residue over the ground. It uses sensors to monitor the amount of crop residue spread over the ground.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2012Publication date: September 27, 2012Inventors: Benjamin J. Schlesser, Stuart J. Birrell, Mark D. Dilts
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Patent number: 8177610Abstract: A crop residue harvesting system for a harvesting machine is provided. The crop residue harvesting system includes a blower and a transition member having a first position and a second position. In a first position the transition member directs at least a portion of the crop residue to the blower for harvesting of the crop residue. In a second position the transition member allows for spreading at least a portion of the crop residue. A lever or actuator may be operatively connected to the transition member for selecting between the first position and the second position or selecting an intermediate position to control the proportions of the crop residue harvested and the crop residue spread.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2008Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Stuart J. Birrell, Benjamin J. Schlesser, Mark D. Dilts
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Patent number: 8113929Abstract: A crop residue harvesting system for a harvesting machine is provided. The crop residue harvesting system includes a blower and a transition member having a first position and a second position. In a first position the transition member directs at least a portion of the crop residue to the blower for harvesting of the crop residue. In a second position the transition member allows for spreading at least a portion of the crop residue. A lever or actuator may be operatively connected to the transition member for selecting between the first position and the second position or selecting an intermediate position to control the proportions of the crop residue harvested and the crop residue spread.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2008Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Stuart J. Birrell, Benjamin J. Schlesser, Mark D. Dilts
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Publication number: 20100248801Abstract: A harvesting machine includes a self-propelled vehicle adapted for separating grain from non-grain material, a cleaning shoe and a fan for controlling air flow. The fan is positioned downstream of the cleaning shoe and the fan having an air inlet for providing air to the fan and an aspiration outlet for providing air from the fan. The fan assists in reducing static air pressure within the harvesting machine. The fan may be a centrifugal fan. The harvesting machine may further include a chopper operatively connected to the vehicle and adapted for receiving the non-grain material and chopping the non-grain material and a blower adapted for assisting in conveying the non-grain material from the chopper such as for collection in a collection container.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2010Publication date: September 30, 2010Applicant: IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.Inventors: STUART J. BIRRELL, MARK D. DILTS, BENJAMIN J. SCHLESSER
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Patent number: 7731578Abstract: A harvesting machine includes a self-propelled vehicle adapted for separating grain from non-grain material, a cleaning shoe and a fan for controlling air flow. The fan is positioned downstream of the cleaning shoe and the fan having an air inlet for providing air to the fan and an aspiration outlet for providing air from the fan. The fan assists in reducing static air pressure within the harvesting machine. The fan may be a centrifugal fan. The harvesting machine may further include a chopper operatively connected to the vehicle and adapted for receiving the non-grain material and chopping the non-grain material and a blower adapted for assisting in conveying the non-grain material from the chopper such as for collection in a collection container.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2008Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Stuart J. Birrell, Mark D. Dilts, Benjamin J. Schlesser
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Publication number: 20090113867Abstract: A harvesting machine includes a self-propelled vehicle adapted for separating grain from non-grain material, a cleaning shoe and a fan for controlling air flow. The fan is positioned downstream of the cleaning shoe and the fan having an air inlet for providing air to the fan and an aspiration outlet for providing air from the fan. The fan assists in reducing static air pressure within the harvesting machine. The fan may be a centrifugal fan. The harvesting machine may further include a chopper operatively connected to the vehicle and adapted for receiving the non-grain material and chopping the non-grain material and a blower adapted for assisting in conveying the non-grain material from the chopper such as for collection in a collection container.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2008Publication date: May 7, 2009Applicant: IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.Inventors: STUART J. BIRRELL, MARK D. DILTS, BENJAMIN J. SCHLESSER
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Publication number: 20080268928Abstract: A material chopper for chopping a material is provided. The double shear chopper may include a counter shear bar, a plurality of stationary knives associated with the counter shear bar, a shaft, at least one rotor section operatively connected to the shaft, each of the at least one rotor section configured to rotate with the shaft, at least one knife holder in each of the at least one rotor section, at least one knife operatively connected to each of the at least one knife holder, and slots in each of the at least one knife holder, wherein edges of the slot provide counter shear surfaces for the plurality of stationary knives. The material chopper may be added to or incorporated into a harvesting machine such as a combine.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2008Publication date: October 30, 2008Applicant: IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.Inventors: STUART J. BIRRELL, BENJAMIN J. SCHLESSER, MARK D. DILTS
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Publication number: 20080248843Abstract: A crop residue harvesting system for a harvesting machine is provided. The crop residue harvesting system includes a blower and a transition member having a first position and a second position. In a first position the transition member directs at least a portion of the crop residue to the blower for harvesting of the crop residue. In a second position the transition member allows for spreading at least a portion of the crop residue. A lever or actuator may be operatively connected to the transition member for selecting between the first position and the second position or selecting an intermediate position to control the proportions of the crop residue harvested and the crop residue spread.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2008Publication date: October 9, 2008Applicant: IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.Inventors: STUART J. BIRRELL, BENJAMIN J. SCHLESSER, MARK D. DILTS