Patents by Inventor Paul Wildermuth

Paul Wildermuth 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: 20250133982
    Abstract: A seed boot (700) having a leading edge (701): a channel (702) for transporting seed opposite the leading edge (701), wherein the channel (702) has a first end (703) and a second end (704), and further comprising a channel exit (705) at the second end (704): a wedge (707) for forming a trench disposed at a bottom of the seed boot (700)), wherein the wedge (707) extends from the leading edge (701) and terminates before the channel exit (705).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2022
    Publication date: May 1, 2025
    Inventors: Jeremy J. Hodel, Paul Wildermuth
  • Publication number: 20250136315
    Abstract: A sample unloading system comprising: a sample staging rack comprising at least one inclined feed ramp configured for receiving an elongated sample tube configured for holding the sample, the sample tube including a first end cap and a second end cap; an unloading apparatus coupled to the staging rack, the unloading apparatus configured to receive the sample tube from the staging rack; and a transfer mechanism operable to transfer the sample tube from the staging rack to the unloading apparatus. Method for unloading a sample container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2022
    Publication date: May 1, 2025
    Inventors: Nicholas Minarich, Todd Swanson, Paul Wildermuth, Adam Vaccari, Joshua SEELYE, DALE M. KOCH
  • Patent number: 12274189
    Abstract: A system having a boom; a plurality of cameras attached to the boom; and a plurality of lenses on each camera; wherein not all lenses have a same field of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Winkler, Paul Wildermuth
  • Patent number: 12256662
    Abstract: Implements and application units include a trench closer for closing a trench during applications with respect to agricultural plants of agricultural fields. In one embodiment, a trench closer for a fertilizer applicator includes a bar moved through a field transverse to a direction of travel, a fertilizer applicator connected to the bar for forming a trench in soil. The fertilizer applicator comprises a coulter, a knife, or a coulter and a knife, and a trench closer disposed behind the fertilizer applicator in the direction of travel and connected to the fertilizer applicator or the bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: PRECISION PLANTING LLC
    Inventor: Paul Wildermuth
  • Publication number: 20240423121
    Abstract: Described herein are implements and applicators for placement of fluid applications with respect to agricultural plants of agricultural fields. In one embodiment, a fluid applicator for applying fluid to plants in rows in a field includes at least one applicator arm that is actuated by an actuator to move the applicator arm from a position in the row between plants to a position adjacent to the plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2024
    Publication date: December 26, 2024
    Inventors: Paul Wildermuth, Jason Stoller, Ian Radtke
  • Publication number: 20240397852
    Abstract: A trench opener having a row unit comprising a frame and a shank; a disc rotatingly attached to the frame, wherein the disc has an angle ? from vertical greater than zero degrees to 10 degrees; a wedge attached to the shank, the wedge having a disc facing side that is parallel with the disc, a second side opposite the disc facing side, wherein the second side is perpendicular to a ground surface, and a leading edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2022
    Publication date: December 5, 2024
    Inventors: Jeremy J. Hodel, Paul Wildermuth
  • Publication number: 20240345117
    Abstract: A sample unloading system comprising: a wash-down enclosure defining an inner chamber; a rotatable carriage disposed in the inner chamber, the carriage configured to receive a sample tube containing an agricultural material and rotate the sample tube between a plurality of rotational positions; a tube gripper mechanism disposed on the carriage, the tube gripper mechanism configured to selectively engage the sample tube when positioned in the carriage; wherein the tube gripper mechanism retains the sample tube in the carriage when the sample tube is in an inverted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2022
    Publication date: October 17, 2024
    Inventors: Nicholas Minarich, Todd Swanson, Paul Wildermuth, DALE M. KOCH
  • Patent number: 12108699
    Abstract: Described herein are implements and applicators for placement of fluid applications with respect to agricultural plants of agricultural fields. In one embodiment, a fluid applicator for applying fluid to plants in rows in a field includes at least one applicator arm that is actuated by an actuator to move the applicator arm from a position in the row between plants to a position adjacent to the plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: PRECISION PLANTING LLC
    Inventors: Paul Wildermuth, Jason Stoller, Ian Radtke
  • Patent number: 11985915
    Abstract: An implement having a frame and a soil moving implement that is attached to the frame. The soil moving implement is disposed in a row between plants for moving soil from between rows of plants to at least the rhizosphere of the plants to cover fluid that is deposited in the rhizosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Jason Stoller, Paul Wildermuth, Ian Radtke, Cory Muhlbauer
  • Patent number: 11968923
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for monitoring soil properties and applying fertilizer during a planting operation. Various sensors are disposed in ground engaging components for monitoring soil properties. The ground engaging components may have structure for opening a side trench in the sidewalls of the seed trench and may include liquid application conduits for injecting liquid into the sidewalls of the resulting side trenches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Jason Stoller, Justin Koch, Brian McMahon, Derek Sauder, Ian Radtke, Michael Strnad, Dale Koch, Matthew Morgan, Tracy Leman, Paul Wildermuth
  • Publication number: 20230356249
    Abstract: A spraying system that includes at least one camera to determine for at least one nozzle spray angle, average of spray angle, standard deviation of spray angle, relative pressure, absolute pressure, relative flow rate, absolute flow rate, percent plugged, and/or spray pattern uniformity/variability of the spray from the at least one nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Jason J. Stoller, Paul Wildermuth, Nicholas WINKLER
  • Publication number: 20230328397
    Abstract: A system having a boom; a plurality of cameras attached to the boom; and a plurality of lenses on each camera; wherein not all lenses have a same field of view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Nicholas Winkler, Paul Wildermuth
  • Publication number: 20230320342
    Abstract: A system having: a boom; at least one nozzle assembly attached to the boom; and a nozzle or a second nozzle assembly; wherein the at least one nozzle assembly and the second nozzle assembly each comprise a nozzle and at least one light; wherein the at least one light is disposed to illuminate a spray from an adjacent nozzle assembly or nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Nicholas Winkler, Paul Wildermuth, Justin McMenamy
  • Publication number: 20230320256
    Abstract: A liquid application apparatus for applying liquid to soil during a planting operation, having: a ground-engaging component mounted to a planter row unit, the planter row unit opening a planting trench, the planter row unit depositing seeds in the planting trench, the ground-engaging component disposed at least partially within said planting trench as the planter row unit traverses the field; a first liquid injection conduit mounted to said ground-engaging component and disposed to inject liquid into a first sidewall of said planting trench, and wherein said ground-engaging component is mounted in a housing via at least one of a height adjustment arm that is pivotably mounted in the housing to allow for height adjustment of said ground-engaging component, and a spring that is pivotably mounted in the housing to allow for vertical deflection of said ground-engaging component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Jason Stoller, Justin Koch, Brian McMahon, Derek Sauder, Ian Radtke, Michael Strnad, Dale Koch, Matthew Morgan, Tracy Leman, Paul Wildermuth
  • Publication number: 20230255128
    Abstract: A system having a boom; an arm attached to the boom; and a camera connected to the arm; wherein at least one of i) a distance between the boom and the camera is adjustable, ii), an angle between the arm and the boom is adjustable, and iii) the camera is rotatably connected to the arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: Paul Wildermuth, Jason J. Stoller
  • Patent number: 11672195
    Abstract: A ground-engaging component disposed at least partially within a planting trench formed by a planter row unit in a soil surface. The ground engaging component is capable of pivoting laterally side-to-side about a pivot axis as the ground engaging component advances in a forward direction of travel. The ground engaging component may include at least one wing extending laterally outward to form a side trench in a sidewall of the planting trench as the planter row unit advances in the forward direction of travel. The at least one wing may include a fluid outlet in fluid communication with a fluid source to deposit fluid into the side trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Jason Stoller, Ian Radtke, Dale Koch, Paul Wildermuth
  • Publication number: 20230165185
    Abstract: A row cleaner assembly includes an upper subframe mounted to an agricultural planter forward of the planter row unit and longitudinally aligned with the trench opening assembly. A lower subframe rotatably supports first and second row cleaner wheels. An intermediate subframe is pivotally connected at a forward end to the upper subframe and is pivotally connected at a rearward end to the lower subframe. A first and second linkages are pivotally connected at a forward end to the upper subframe and are pivotally connected at a rearward end to the lower subframe. An actuator system is capable of applying a downforce and an optional lift force to the lower subframe. The row cleaner assembly may include a gauge wheel supported by a rear strut subframe. The row cleaner assembly may include a depth selector to change the depth of penetration of the row cleaner wheels into the soil surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Inventors: Ian Radtke, Jason J. Stoller, Cory Muhlbauer, Aaron Herrmann, John Weigand, Paul Wildermuth
  • Publication number: 20230131770
    Abstract: A spraying system including a boom having a first end, a middle, and a second end; a plurality of nozzles disposed on the boom; a plurality of cameras (70) disposed on the boom and positioned to each view a subset of the plurality of nozzles; a plurality of lights disposed on the boom and positioned to each illuminate a subset of the plurality of nozzles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventors: Jason J. Stoller, Paul Wildermuth, Nicholas WINKLER
  • Publication number: 20230122377
    Abstract: An agricultural row cleaner having: a frame; a first row cleaner wheel disposed on a first side of the frame; a second row cleaner wheel disposed on a second side of the frame; and a third wheel attached to the frame and having a leading edge disposed forward of the first row cleaner wheel and the second row cleaner wheel along a direction of travel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Cory Muhlbauer, Aaron Herrmann, John Weigand, Paul Wildermuth
  • Publication number: 20230112376
    Abstract: An agricultural implement having a camera facing in a forward direction of travel on the agricultural implement. A mirror is disposed in a portion of a forward field of view of the camera such that the camera captures an image that includes a forward field of view and a rearward view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Inventors: Michael Strnad, Jason J. Stoller, Paul Wildermuth