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).

  • Publication number: 20210274773
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Applicants: Deere & Company, Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam D. Sporrer, Kyle R. Blaylock, Matthew J. Darr, Robert McNaull, Kevin L. Ehrecke
  • Patent number: 9702753
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignees: Deere & Company, Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremiah K. Johnson, Aaron J. Bruns, James J. Phelan, Matthew J. Darr, Robert McNaull
  • Patent number: 9645006
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignees: Deere & Company, Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Phelan, Jeremiah K. Johnson, Aaron J. Bruns, Matthew J. Darr, Robert McNaull
  • Patent number: 9578808
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignees: Deere & Company, Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Niels Dybro, Aaron J. Bruns, Matthew J. Darr, Robert McNaull
  • Patent number: 9392746
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignees: DEERE & COMPANY, IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Darr, Robert McNaull, John Kruckeberg, Zachary T. Bonefas
  • Publication number: 20150377689
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Jeremiah K. Johnson, Aaron J. Bruns, James J. Phelan, Matthew J. Darr, Robert McNaull
  • Publication number: 20150377690
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: James J. Phelan, Jeremiah K. Johnson, Aaron J. Bruns, Matthew J. Darr, Robert McNaull
  • Publication number: 20150327440
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Applicants: Deere and Company, Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Niels Dybro, Aaron J. Bruns, Matthew J. Darr, Robert McNaull
  • Publication number: 20140083556
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicants: Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc., Deere & Company
    Inventors: Matthew J. Darr, Robert McNaull, John Kruckeberg, Zachary T. Bonefas