Patents by Inventor Robert McNaull
Robert McNaull 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: 20250134089Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling the level relative to ground of moveable wings in a spray system that includes the moveable wings mounted to a common center frame support structure attached to an associated work vehicle to form a pair of opposed independently moveable wings extending laterally from the associated work vehicle. An initial control signal is determined for moving the moveable wings based on positions of the moveable wings relative to the ground. A compensating signal is determined for compensating the initial control signal, wherein the compensating signal is derived independent from the position of the moveable wings relative to the ground and includes a flexure component dependent upon one or more flexural properties of the associated work vehicle. A level control output signal is generated for controlling the level of the moveable wings based on a combination of the initial control signal and the compensating signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2024Publication date: May 1, 2025Applicants: Deere & Company, Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Kyle R. BLAYLOCK, Robert MCNAULL, Adam D. SPORRER, Bryan N. HRNICEK, Kasey J. LAMMERS, Daniel K. MURRAY, Alex J. IRLBECK
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Patent number: 11980181Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a center frame positioning method for an agricultural sprayer. The method comprises activating a center frame positioning system and collecting and processing position data related to a position of a suspended center frame in the center frame positioning system. The method further comprises evaluating the position data to determine whether any adjustment to the position of the suspended center frame is needed and controlling actuator force in at least one actuator to adjust the position of the suspended center frame based on the evaluating the position data.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2021Date of Patent: May 14, 2024Assignees: Deere & Company, Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Adam D. Sporrer, Kyle R. Blaylock, Matthew J. Darr, Robert McNaull, Kevin L. Ehrecke
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Publication number: 20210274773Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a center frame positioning method for an agricultural sprayer. The method comprises activating a center frame positioning system and collecting and processing position data related to a position of a suspended center frame in the center frame positioning system. The method further comprises evaluating the position data to determine whether any adjustment to the position of the suspended center frame is needed and controlling actuator force in at least one actuator to adjust the position of the suspended center frame based on the evaluating the position data.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2021Publication date: September 9, 2021Applicants: Deere & Company, Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Adam D. Sporrer, Kyle R. Blaylock, Matthew J. Darr, Robert McNaull, Kevin L. Ehrecke
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Patent number: 9702753Abstract: A method of calibrating a mass flow sensor while harvesting grain includes sensing an accumulated mass of a portion of grain within the grain tank with a first sensor. A mass flow rate sensor is calibrated based at least in part on a signal of the first sensor.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2014Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignees: Deere & Company, Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Jeremiah K. Johnson, Aaron J. Bruns, James J. Phelan, Matthew J. Darr, Robert McNaull
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Patent number: 9645006Abstract: A method of calibrating a mass flow sensor while harvesting grain includes sensing an accumulated mass of a portion of grain within the grain tank with a first sensor. A mass flow rate sensor is calibrated based at least in part on a signal of the first sensor.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2014Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignees: Deere & Company, Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: James J. Phelan, Jeremiah K. Johnson, Aaron J. Bruns, Matthew J. Darr, Robert McNaull
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Patent number: 9578808Abstract: A crop yields sensing system comprises a first sensor of a first type associated with a portion of a harvester to output first signals facilitating determination of crop yield and a second sensor of a second type different than the first type to output second signals facilitating determination of crop yield for the portion of the harvester. The system further comprises a processing unit to receive the first signals and the second signals and determine crop yield for the portion of the harvester based on a combination of the first signals and the second signals.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2014Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignees: Deere & Company, Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Niels Dybro, Aaron J. Bruns, Matthew J. Darr, Robert McNaull
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Patent number: 9392746Abstract: A system and method for transferring agricultural material from a transferring vehicle to a storage portion of a receiving vehicle, and detecting and filling void areas of the agricultural material is disclosed. A transferring vehicle having a spout transfers agricultural material to a storage portion of a receiving vehicle. An imaging device associated with the transferring vehicle and facing towards the storage portion of the receiving vehicle collects imaging data. An image processing module is operable to, based on the imaging data, estimate fill levels of agricultural material within the storage portion; identify an area of the storage portion as targeted to fill; and identify a first void within the targeted area. A controller in communication with the image processing module is configured to command the spout to a position to direct agricultural material to the first void.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2013Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignees: DEERE & COMPANY, IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.Inventors: Matthew J. Darr, Robert McNaull, John Kruckeberg, Zachary T. Bonefas
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Publication number: 20150377689Abstract: A method of calibrating a mass flow sensor while harvesting grain includes sensing an accumulated mass of a portion of grain within the grain tank with a first sensor. A mass flow rate sensor is calibrated based at least in part on a signal of the first sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2014Publication date: December 31, 2015Inventors: Jeremiah K. Johnson, Aaron J. Bruns, James J. Phelan, Matthew J. Darr, Robert McNaull
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Publication number: 20150377690Abstract: A method of calibrating a mass flow sensor while harvesting grain includes sensing an accumulated mass of a portion of grain within the grain tank with a first sensor. A mass flow rate sensor is calibrated based at least in part on a signal of the first sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2014Publication date: December 31, 2015Inventors: James J. Phelan, Jeremiah K. Johnson, Aaron J. Bruns, Matthew J. Darr, Robert McNaull
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Publication number: 20150327440Abstract: A crop yields sensing system comprises a first sensor of a first type associated with a portion of a harvester to output first signals facilitating determination of crop yield and a second sensor of a second type different than the first type to output second signals facilitating determination of crop yield for the portion of the harvester. The system further comprises a processing unit to receive the first signals and the second signals and determine crop yield for the portion of the harvester based on a combination of the first signals and the second signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2014Publication date: November 19, 2015Applicants: Deere and Company, Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Niels Dybro, Aaron J. Bruns, Matthew J. Darr, Robert McNaull
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Publication number: 20140083556Abstract: A system and method for transferring agricultural material from a transferring vehicle to a storage portion of a receiving vehicle, and detecting and filling void areas of the agricultural material is disclosed. A transferring vehicle having a spout transfers agricultural material to a storage portion of a receiving vehicle. An imaging device associated with the transferring vehicle and facing towards the storage portion of the receiving vehicle collects imaging data. An image processing module is operable to, based on the imaging data, estimate fill levels of agricultural material within the storage portion; identify an area of the storage portion as targeted to fill; and identify a first void within the targeted area. A controller in communication with the image processing module is configured to command the spout to a position to direct agricultural material to the first void.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2013Publication date: March 27, 2014Applicants: Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc., Deere & CompanyInventors: Matthew J. Darr, Robert McNaull, John Kruckeberg, Zachary T. Bonefas