Patents by Inventor Michael E. Frasier
Michael E. Frasier 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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Patent number: 12156492Abstract: A row unit has a seed meter and a seed delivery system. A target seed population is obtained and a motor that drives at least one of the seed meter and the seed delivery system is intermittently pulsed to plant seeds in groupings based on machine speed and target seed population.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2021Date of Patent: December 3, 2024Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Lee E. Zumdome, Michael E. Frasier, Elijah B. Garner, Cary S. Hubner
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Patent number: 12127497Abstract: A row unit for a seeding machine includes a ground view sensor coupled to the frame. The ground view sensor is operable to sense the furrow and generate depth signals corresponding to actual sensed depth of the furrow. The row unit also includes a controller configured to receive the signals, and a downforce adjustment mechanism coupled to the frame and to the controller. The controller is configured to activate the downforce adjustment mechanism to adjust a downforce on the frame based on the signals received by the controller.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2021Date of Patent: October 29, 2024Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Jason D. Walter, Michael E. Frasier, Lawrence D. Green, James Z. Liu, Donald K. Landphair
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Publication number: 20240334863Abstract: A product on demand nozzle assembly includes a chamber at least partially defined by an external wall and an array of vertically spaced nozzles. Each nozzle has an air inlet, an air and entrained product outlet extending from the external wall, and an entrainment zone between the air inlet and the air and entrained product outlet to receive a product therein to be distributed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2024Publication date: October 10, 2024Inventors: Stanley R. Borkgren, William D. Graham, Terry L. Snipes, Elijah B. Garner, Robert T. Casper, Scott C. McCartney, Michael E. Frasier
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Publication number: 20240298567Abstract: A row unit for a seeding machine includes a frame supporting a gauge wheel and a seed meter. A depth stop assembly includes a stop setting an upward travel limit of the gauge wheel with respect to the frame, and a handle that is lockable and releasable to move the stop to select among seeding depths. A downforce actuator is operable to generate downforce to be applied through a gauge wheel arm and the gauge wheel to the soil. A downforce sensor is incorporated into the depth stop assembly and movable therewith. The depth stop assembly includes a multi-piece body having a first piece receiving the handle, and a second piece defining a pivot. The first piece of the multi-piece body includes a handle-receiving receptacle portion, a fastening portion for fastening to the second body piece adjacent the pivot, and a portion therebetween forming a housing of the downforce sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2024Publication date: September 12, 2024Inventors: Jacob D. Salowitz, Michael E. Frasier, Pranay Bajjuri, Matt Bartelson
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Publication number: 20240180068Abstract: A row unit for a seeding machine includes a seed reservoir and a seed meter assembly having a metering member with a seed side facing the seed reservoir and a non-seed side opposite the seed side. The metering member is operable to selectively move seeds from the seed reservoir. A pump provides a pressure differential between the seed side and the non-seed side for adhering the seeds to the metering member. A conveyor has an inlet for receiving the seeds and an outlet configured to discharge the seeds from the seeding machine. The conveyor includes a belt movable from the inlet to the outlet. A pneumatic seed displacer includes a nozzle disposed adjacent the metering member for concentrating air. The nozzle is configured to eject the air towards the metering member for directing the seeds from the metering member to the conveyor.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2023Publication date: June 6, 2024Inventors: Elijah B. Garner, Stanley R. Borkgren, Cary S. Hubner, Beth A. Wolfs, Michael E. Frasier, Joseph W. Migliorini, Kriss Helmick, Keith L. Felton, Kamalakannan Natarajan
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Patent number: 11950526Abstract: A product on demand nozzle assembly includes a chamber at least partially defined by an external wall and an array of vertically spaced nozzles. Each nozzle has an air inlet, an air and entrained product outlet extending from the external wall, and an entrainment zone between the air inlet and the air and entrained product outlet to receive a product therein to be distributed.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2019Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Stanley R. Borkgren, William D. Graham, Terry L. Snipes, Elijah B. Garner, Robert T. Casper, Scott C. McCartney, Michael E. Frasier
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Patent number: 11925137Abstract: A row unit for a seeding machine includes a frame supporting a gauge wheel and a seed meter. A depth stop assembly includes a stop setting an upward travel limit of the gauge wheel with respect to the frame, and a handle that is lockable and releasable to move the stop to select among seeding depths. A downforce actuator is operable to generate downforce to be applied through a gauge wheel arm and the gauge wheel to the soil. A downforce sensor is incorporated into the depth stop assembly and movable therewith. The depth stop assembly includes a multi-piece body having a first piece receiving the handle, and a second piece defining a pivot. The first piece of the multipiece body includes a handle-receiving receptacle portion, a fastening portion for fastening to the second body piece adjacent the pivot, and a portion therebetween forming a housing of the downforce sensor.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2021Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Jacob D. Salowitz, Michael E. Frasier, Pranay Bajjuri, Matt Bartelson
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Patent number: 11895944Abstract: A brush belt including a base member having a first side with a traction surface and a second side opposite the first side defining a mounting surface presenting a first edge and a second edge and having a longitudinal axis therebetween and parallel thereto and a plurality of bristles coupled to the mounting surface and arranged in a first section of bristles and a second section of bristles, the bristles of the first section each having a first diameter and the bristles of the second section each having a second diameter that is different than the first diameter. The first section abuts the second section.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2020Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Elijah B. Garner, Michael E. Frasier, Michael E. Friestad
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Patent number: 11770997Abstract: A row unit for a seeding machine includes a seed reservoir and a seed meter assembly having a metering member with a seed side facing the seed reservoir and a non-seed side opposite the seed side. The metering member is operable to selectively move seeds from the seed reservoir. A pump provides a pressure differential between the seed side and the non-seed side for adhering the seeds to the metering member. A conveyor has an inlet for receiving the seeds and an outlet configured to discharge the seeds from the seeding machine. The conveyor includes a belt movable from the inlet to the outlet. A pneumatic seed displacer includes a nozzle disposed adjacent the metering member for concentrating air. The nozzle is configured to eject the air towards the metering member for directing the seeds from the metering member to the conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2022Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Elijah B. Garner, Stanley R. Borkgren, Cary S. Hubner, Beth A. Wolfs, Michael E. Frasier, Joseph W. Migliorini, Kriss Helmick, Keith L. Felton, Kamalakannan Natarajan
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Patent number: 11730078Abstract: A row unit for a work vehicle includes a row unit frame with a closer frame. The closer frame defines a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis. The closer frame is supported for rotational movement about a substantially vertical steering axis to vary a turning angle between the longitudinal axis the vehicle longitudinal axis. The row unit includes a closer implement assembly with first and second closer implements and a walking beam construction. The first and second closer implements are attached to opposite areas of the walking beam construction. The walking beam construction is rotationally attached to the closer frame to support rotation of the closer implement assembly about the transverse axis. The first and second closer implements are configured to move ground material into a ground opening from opposites sides as the work vehicle moves across the field.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2021Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Mark E. Barker, Cole L. Murray, Grant J. Wonderlich, Michael E. Frasier, Nathan A. Mariman
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Publication number: 20230068227Abstract: A commodity debris guard for a commodity delivery apparatus may comprise a debris guard configured to mitigate debris from engaging with an endless member. The debris guard may comprise a first debris guard operably connected to a housing. The first debris guard may comprise a base and upwardly extending side portions. The first debris guard may be configured to mitigate debris from contacting an endless member positioned at least partially within the housing. A second debris guard may be operably connected to the housing and disposed forward and below the first debris guard. The second debris guard may be configured to mitigate debris from contacting the endless member comprising. The second debris guard may comprise a base, upwardly extending side portions, and an extension portion configured to channel commodity as it exits the extension member to an associated furrow of an underlying surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2021Publication date: March 2, 2023Applicant: Deere & CompanyInventors: Lee E. Zumdome, Michael E. Frasier, Matt Arnold
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Publication number: 20220287225Abstract: A row unit has a seed meter and a seed delivery system. A target seed population is obtained and a motor that drives at least one of the seed meter and the seed delivery system is intermittently pulsed to plant seeds in groupings based on machine speed and target seed population.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2021Publication date: September 15, 2022Inventors: Lee E. ZUMDOME, Michael E. Frasier, Elijah B. Garner, Cary S. Hubner
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Publication number: 20220287226Abstract: A row unit for a seeding machine includes a seed reservoir and a seed meter assembly having a metering member with a seed side facing the seed reservoir and a non-seed side opposite the seed side. The metering member is operable to selectively move seeds from the seed reservoir. A pump provides a pressure differential between the seed side and the non-seed side for adhering the seeds to the metering member. A conveyor has an inlet for receiving the seeds and an outlet configured to discharge the seeds from the seeding machine. The conveyor includes a belt movable from the inlet to the outlet. A pneumatic seed displacer includes a nozzle disposed adjacent the metering member for concentrating air. The nozzle is configured to eject the air towards the metering member for directing the seeds from the metering member to the conveyor.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2022Publication date: September 15, 2022Inventors: Elijah B. Garner, Stanley R. Borkgren, Cary S. Hubner, Beth A. Wolfs, Michael E. Frasier, Joseph W. Migliorini, Kriss Helmick, Keith L. Felton, Kamalakannan Natarajan
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Publication number: 20220174859Abstract: A row unit for a seeding machine includes a ground view sensor coupled to the frame. The ground view sensor is operable to sense the furrow and generate depth signals corresponding to actual sensed depth of the furrow. The row unit also includes a controller configured to receive the signals, and a downforce adjustment mechanism coupled to the frame and to the controller. The controller is configured to activate the downforce adjustment mechanism to adjust a downforce on the frame based on the signals received by the controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2021Publication date: June 9, 2022Inventors: Jason D. Walter, Michael E. Frasier, Lawrence D. Green, James Z. Liu, Donald K. Landphair
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Patent number: 11297762Abstract: A row unit for a seeding machine includes a seed reservoir and a seed meter having a metering member with a seed side facing the seed reservoir, a non-seed side opposite the seed side, and a plurality of apertures. The seed meter is operable by pressure differential between the non-seed side and the seed side to adhere seeds to the seed side and move seeds from the seed reservoir. A conduit has a venturi with a throat disposed adjacent the metering member. The throat presents an opening directed toward the seed side and the plurality of apertures. The opening is configured to receive a seed adhered to one aperture of the plurality of apertures. An air pressure source is configured to provide greater than atmospheric air pressure on the non-seed side such that during operation of the row unit an air stream passes through the one aperture toward the opening.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2018Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Elijah B. Garner, Stanley R. Borkgren, Cary S. Hubner, Beth A. Wolfs, Michael E. Frasier, Joseph W. Migliorini
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Publication number: 20220022366Abstract: A row unit for a seeding machine includes a frame supporting a gauge wheel and a seed meter. A depth stop assembly includes a stop setting an upward travel limit of the gauge wheel with respect to the frame, and a handle that is lockable and releasable to move the stop to select among seeding depths. A downforce actuator is operable to generate downforce to be applied through a gauge wheel arm and the gauge wheel to the soil. A downforce sensor is incorporated into the depth stop assembly and movable therewith. The depth stop assembly includes a multi-piece body having a first piece receiving the handle, and a second piece defining a pivot. The first piece of the multipiece body includes a handle-receiving receptacle portion, a fastening portion for fastening to the second body piece adjacent the pivot, and a portion therebetween forming a housing of the downforce sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2021Publication date: January 27, 2022Inventors: Jacob D. Salowitz, Michael E. Frasier, Pranay Bajjuri, Matt Bartelson
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Patent number: 11202404Abstract: A row unit for a seeding machine includes a ground view sensor coupled to the frame. The ground view sensor is operable to sense the furrow and generate depth signals corresponding to actual sensed depth of the furrow. The row unit also includes a controller configured to receive the signals, and a downforce adjustment mechanism coupled to the frame and to the controller. The controller is configured to activate the downforce adjustment mechanism to adjust a downforce on the frame based on the signals received by the controller.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2019Date of Patent: December 21, 2021Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Jason D. Walter, Michael E. Frasier, Lawrence D. Green, James Z. Liu, Donald K. Landphair
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Patent number: 11140811Abstract: A work vehicle includes a commodity container and an actuator system with a plurality of actuators. The work vehicle includes a delivery system with a plurality of tubes. Furthermore, the work vehicle includes a metering system with a plurality of metering rollers that are configured to be individually actuated by respective ones of the plurality of actuators to meter out a commodity from the commodity container to respective ones of the plurality of tubes. The plurality of metering rollers are arranged substantially parallel to each other. The plurality of metering rollers are disposed in a staggered arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2018Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Andrew W. Harmon, Michael E. Frasier, Robert T. Casper, William Douglas Graham
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Publication number: 20210307239Abstract: A brush belt including a base member having a first side with a traction surface and a second side opposite the first side defining a mounting surface presenting a first edge and a second edge and having a longitudinal axis therebetween and parallel thereto and a plurality of bristles coupled to the mounting surface and arranged in a first section of bristles and a second section of bristles, the bristles of the first section each having a first diameter and the bristles of the second section each having a second diameter that is different than the first diameter. The first section abuts the second section.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2020Publication date: October 7, 2021Inventors: Elijah B. Garner, Michael E. Frasier, Michael E. Friestad
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Patent number: 11134606Abstract: A row unit for a seeding machine includes a frame supporting a gauge wheel and a seed meter. A depth stop assembly includes a stop setting an upward travel limit of the gauge wheel with respect to the frame, and a handle that is lockable and releasable to move the stop to select among seeding depths. A downforce actuator is operable to generate downforce to be applied through a gauge wheel arm and the gauge wheel to the soil. A downforce sensor is incorporated into the depth stop assembly and movable therewith. The depth stop assembly includes a multi-piece body having a first piece receiving the handle, and a second piece defining a pivot. The first piece of the multi-piece body includes a handle-receiving receptacle portion, a fastening portion for fastening to the second body piece adjacent the pivot, and a portion therebetween forming a housing of the downforce sensor.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2019Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Jacob D. Salowitz, Michael E. Frasier, Pranay Bajjuri, Matt Bartelson