Patents by Inventor Nicholas O. Michael

Nicholas O. Michael 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).

  • Publication number: 20240130271
    Abstract: A spraying system for an agricultural sprayer includes a plurality of nozzle assemblies configured for positioning along a sprayer boom. Each of the plurality of nozzle assemblies is in communication at least one boom tubes. A nozzle controller is in communication with the plurality of nozzle assemblies, and the nozzle controller is configured to control one or more of the nozzle assemblies of the plurality to provide a targeted application of agricultural product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: Jared Ernest Kocer, Nicholas O. Michael
  • Publication number: 20240130347
    Abstract: A configurable nozzle includes a nozzle body having a reception chamber configured to receive an application mixture. The nozzle body includes a nozzle orifice. At least one orifice assembly is coupled with the nozzle body, the at least one orifice assembly includes an orifice plate movably coupled with the nozzle body. The orifice plate extends along at least a portion of the nozzle orifice, and movement of the orifice plate changes one or more of the size or shape of the nozzle orifice. An orifice actuator is coupled with the orifice plate, and the orifice actuator is configured to move the orifice plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: Jared Ernest Kocer, Nicholas O. Michael
  • Publication number: 20240109094
    Abstract: An agricultural sprayer cleaning assembly includes a cleaning agent reservoir configured to contain a cleaning agent. The agricultural sprayer cleaning assembly includes a cleaning configuration. In an application configuration a boom tube and sprayer nozzles are in communication with an agricultural product reservoir and are isolated from the cleaning agent reservoir. In a cleaning configuration one or more of the boom tube, the sprayer nozzles or the agricultural product reservoir are in communication with the cleaning agent reservoir, and the cleaning agent is circulated through the boom tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Nicholas O. Michael, Jared Ernest Kocer, Jesse Lee Wagers
  • Publication number: 20240023479
    Abstract: In an example, an agricultural slurry is applied to a field, for instance to change a constituent profile of the soil. For instance, a slurry application system includes a slurry applicator configured to apply the agricultural slurry. In another example, characteristics of the agricultural slurry are determined with a sensor. The characteristics of the agricultural slurry are compared with corresponding application thresholds. In yet another example, a slurry application controller cooperates with the slurry applicator or a prime mover to apply the agricultural slurry based on the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Jared Ernest Kocer, Charlie R. Schoenfelder, Nicholas O. Michael, Thomas Lawrence Herbert
  • Patent number: 11744239
    Abstract: A configurable nozzle includes a nozzle body having a reception chamber configured to receive an application mixture. The nozzle body includes a nozzle orifice. At least one orifice assembly is coupled with the nozzle body, the at least one orifice assembly includes an orifice plate movably coupled with the nozzle body. The orifice plate extends along at least a portion of the nozzle orifice, and movement of the orifice plate changes one or more of the size or shape of the nozzle orifice. An orifice actuator is coupled with the orifice plate, and the orifice actuator is configured to move the orifice plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jared Ernest Kocer, Nicholas O. Michael
  • Publication number: 20230049963
    Abstract: A localized product injection system includes a composite boom tube having a carrier fluid passage within a tube body, and at least one injection product passage within the tube body isolated from the carrier fluid passage. A plurality of port stations are provided at locations along the tube body. Each of the port stations includes a carrier fluid outlet port and at least one injection product outlet port. A localized injection interface is coupled at a port station. The injection interface includes a carrier fluid input coupled with the carrier fluid outlet port, and at least one injection product input coupled with the at least one injection product outlet port. The injection interface includes at least one throttling element in communication with the at least one injection product input, a mixing chamber, and an injection port configured for localized coupling and injection to a product dispenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Jared Ernest Kocer, Nicholas O. Michael, John D. Preheim, Brent A. Driesen
  • Publication number: 20220104427
    Abstract: A localized product injection system for use with a product dispensing system includes a product injection reservoir coupled with an injection header. One or more injection boom tubes are coupled with the injection head. A plurality of localized injection interfaces are configured for coupling at corresponding product dispensers of a plurality of product dispensers. The plurality of localized injection interfaces in communication with the one or more injection boom tubes. Each of the localized injection interfaces includes an interface valve and an injection port in communication with the interface valve. The injection port is configured for localized coupling and injection to the corresponding product dispenser. The plurality of localized injection interfaces maintains a controlled pressurized environment of an injection product to the plurality of product dispensers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventor: Nicholas O. Michael
  • Publication number: 20220007569
    Abstract: A product dispensing system includes at least one recirculation network configured for communication with a system pump. The at least one recirculation network includes at least one sprayer boom tube and a plurality of product dispensers distributed along the at least one sprayer boom tube. A network pump is in communication with the at least one sprayer boom tube. The at least one recirculation network includes a dispensing configuration and a recirculation configuration. In the dispensing configuration the recirculation network is configured for communication with a supply tank and an agricultural product reservoir. In the recirculation configuration the recirculation network is isolated from the supply tank and the agricultural product reservoir, and the recirculation network includes a recirculation loop continuously extending through the network pump and the at least one sprayer boom tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Jesse Lee Wagers, Nicholas O. Michael
  • Patent number: 11160204
    Abstract: A localized product injection system for use with a product dispensing system includes a product injection reservoir coupled with an injection header. One or more injection boom tubes are coupled with the injection head. A plurality of localized injection interfaces are configured for coupling at corresponding product dispensers of a plurality of product dispensers. The plurality of localized injection interfaces in communication with the one or more injection boom tubes. Each of the localized injection interfaces includes an interface valve and an injection port in communication with the interface valve. The injection port is configured for localized coupling and injection to the corresponding product dispenser. The plurality of localized injection interfaces maintains a controlled pressurized environment of an injection product to the plurality of product dispensers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas O. Michael
  • Patent number: 11125681
    Abstract: An agricultural composition sensor includes a sensor housing including a flow passage configured to conduct an agricultural product. A sensor assembly is coupled with the sensor housing. The sensor assembly is configured to detect one or more injection products in the agricultural product. The sensor assembly includes an emanator configured to generate at least one light beam and a sensing element configured to receive the at least one light beam. A directing element is configured to deliver the light beam through the flow of the agricultural product. The sensing element is configured to generate a spectral plot from the light beam delivered through the flow of the agricultural product having one or more spectral signatures corresponding to the one or more injection products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Harry Harlow, Jared Ernest Kocer, Nicholas O. Michael
  • Publication number: 20200240904
    Abstract: An agricultural composition sensor includes a sensor housing including a flow passage configured to conduct an agricultural product. A sensor assembly is coupled with the sensor housing. The sensor assembly is configured to detect one or more injection products in the agricultural product. The sensor assembly includes an emanator configured to generate at least one light beam and a sensing element configured to receive the at least one light beam. A directing element is configured to deliver the light beam through the flow of the agricultural product. The sensing element is configured to generate a spectral plot from the light beam delivered through the flow of the agricultural product having one or more spectral signatures corresponding to the one or more injection products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Harry Harlow, Jared Ernest Kocer, Nicholas O. Michael
  • Publication number: 20190373880
    Abstract: A localized product injection system includes a composite boom tube having a carrier fluid passage within a tube body, and at least one injection product passage within the tube body isolated from the carrier fluid passage. A plurality of port stations are provided at locations along the tube body. Each of the port stations includes a carrier fluid outlet port and at least one injection product outlet port. A localized injection interface is coupled at a port station. The injection interface includes a carrier fluid input coupled with the carrier fluid outlet port, and at least one injection product input coupled with the at least one injection product outlet port. The injection interface includes at least one throttling element in communication with the at least one injection product input, a mixing chamber, and an injection port configured for localized coupling and injection to a product dispenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Inventors: Jared Ernest Kocer, Nicholas O. Michael, John D, Preheim, Brent A. Driesen
  • Publication number: 20190350187
    Abstract: A configurable nozzle includes a nozzle body having a reception chamber configured to receive an application mixture. The nozzle body includes a nozzle orifice. At least one orifice assembly is coupled with the nozzle body, the at least one orifice assembly includes an orifice plate movably coupled with the nozzle body. The orifice plate extends along at least a portion of the nozzle orifice, and movement of the orifice plate changes one or more of the size or shape of the nozzle orifice. An orifice actuator is coupled with the orifice plate, and the orifice actuator is configured to move the orifice plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Applicant: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jared Ernest KOCER, Nicholas O. MICHAEL
  • Patent number: 10173236
    Abstract: A system for controlling nozzle flow rate includes a master node having an expected overall flow rate module configured to generate an expected overall flow rate of an agricultural product based on one or more sprayer characteristics, and an adjustment module configured to generate an error correction based on a difference between the expected overall flow rate and an actual overall flow rate of the agricultural product. A plurality of smart nozzles are in communication with the master node, each of the smart nozzles includes an electronic control unit in communication with one or more control valves and one or more nozzle assemblies. Each of the smart nozzles includes a target smart nozzle flow rate module configured to generate a target smart nozzle flow rate of the agricultural product based on the one or more sprayer characteristics. The target smart nozzle flow rate is adjusted according to the error correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Preheim, Brent A. Driesen, Nicholas O. Michael, Jared Ernest Kocer
  • Publication number: 20170348718
    Abstract: A system for controlling nozzle flow rate includes a master node having an expected overall flow rate module configured to generate an expected overall flow rate of an agricultural product based on one or more sprayer characteristics, and an adjustment module configured to generate an error correction based on a difference between the expected overall flow rate and an actual overall flow rate of the agricultural product. A plurality of smart nozzles are in communication with the master node, each of the smart nozzles includes an electronic control unit in communication with one or more control valves and one or more nozzle assemblies. Each of the smart nozzles includes a target smart nozzle flow rate module configured to generate a target smart nozzle flow rate of the agricultural product based on the one or more sprayer characteristics. The target smart nozzle flow rate is adjusted according to the error correction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: John D. Preheim, Brent A. Driesen, Nicholas O. Michael, Jared Ernest Kocer
  • Patent number: 9580256
    Abstract: This application discusses, among other things, granular spreaders. In an example, a granular spreader can include a blower configured to provide a flow of air, a metering device configured to provide a flow of granular material to the flow of air to provide a hybrid flow of air and granular material, a plurality of sections configured to release the granular material using the flow of air, wherein each section is configured to release an adjustable portion of the hybrid flow and a controller. The controller can be configured to receive control information for each section, to enable or disable each section responsive to the control information, and to adjust a speed of the blower based on the control information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse Lee Wagers, Jared Ernest Kocer, Nicholas O. Michael
  • Patent number: 9581394
    Abstract: A heat exchange unit for a heat exchanger system includes a heat exchange tube. The heat exchange tube including a heat exchange tube inlet and one or more heat exchange fins coupled along the heat exchange tube. The heat exchange tube extends from the heat exchange tube inlet to a refrigerant return. A heat exchange jacket is interposed between the heat exchange tube and a unit housing. The heat exchange jacket includes a jacket passage in communication with the refrigerant return. A first product passage extends from the product inlet to a product return. The heat exchange fins turbulate agricultural product in the first product passage while heat is transferred from the agricultural product to refrigerant in one or more of the heat exchange tube or the heat exchange jacket. Heat is transferred from the agricultural product to the refrigerant through the heat exchange jacket in the second product passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve S. Jensen, Patrick A. Hansen, Warren L. Thompson, Nicholas O. Michael
  • Patent number: 9380773
    Abstract: This application discusses, among other things, agricultural equipment and more particularly agricultural chemical applicators. In an example, an agricultural sprayer system can include a first boom section configured to receive a carrier material and a chemical material and to provide an agricultural chemical mixture, the boom section having a plurality of nozzles for spraying the chemical mixture; and a first rod insert coupled to an end cap of the boom section, the rod insert configured to reduce the volume of the boom section and to provide increased flow velocity of the chemical mixture to each of the plurality of nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Amanda Marie Hebbert, Michael Jordan Sukalski, Colin James Taylor, Jaclyn Marie Clark, Nicholas O. Michael
  • Patent number: 9259745
    Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, apparatus and methods for a multi-section applicator having variable-rate sections. In an example, an apparatus can include at least one distribution manifold, a user interface, and an applicator controller. The at least one distribution manifold distributes a substance and can include an inlet port configured to receive the substance, a plurality of outlet ports, one or more sensors located at an outlet port, a controllable valve that supplies the substance to the inlet port. The applicator controller measures a value of the distribution parameter using the sensor signal produced by the at least one sensor of an outlet port, detects when the measured value differs from a specified target value by more than a specified error threshold value, and presents an indication, using the user interface, that the measured value differs from the target value according to the detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jared Ernest Kocer, Joshua D. Grabow, Warren L. Thompson, Steve S. Jensen, Patrick A. Hansen, Nicholas O. Michael, Scott Porter, Clarence Walt Fowler, David Anthony Fowler
  • Publication number: 20150114610
    Abstract: A heat exchange unit for a heat exchanger system includes a heat exchange tube. The heat exchange tube including a heat exchange tube inlet and one or more heat exchange fins coupled along the heat exchange tube. The heat exchange tube extends from the heat exchange tube inlet to a refrigerant return. A heat exchange jacket is interposed between the heat exchange tube and a unit housing. The heat exchange jacket includes a jacket passage in communication with the refrigerant return. A first product passage extends from the product inlet to a product return. The heat exchange fins turbulate agricultural product in the first product passage while heat is transferred from the agricultural product to refrigerant in one or more of the heat exchange tube or the heat exchange jacket. Heat is transferred from the agricultural product to the refrigerant through the heat exchange jacket in the second product passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Steve S. Jensen, Patrick A. Hansen, Warren L. Thompson, Nicholas O. Michael