Patents by Inventor Scott A. Sporrer

Scott A. Sporrer 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: 20230016410
    Abstract: A crop detection system and method of using the same includes a machine vision system mounted to a mobile vehicle. The machine vision system includes an information capturing device connected to a computer having a processor and memory. The memory includes stored crop and field information. Positioning members are mounted to an extend forward of the mobile structure. The information capturing device includes a camera, a sensor, a transceiver and/or a stereo sensor configuration and is positioned to sense the presence, size, location and orientation of characteristics of a crop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Patrick H. Clem, Scott A. Sporrer, William P. Kelly, Justin D. Woods, Matthew T. Sobotka, Cody J. Sobotka, Jeff S. Westbrook, Matthew J. Darr
  • Patent number: 11140828
    Abstract: A grain processing assembly for a combine that comprises a feeder assembly, a threshing assembly having a rotor disposed within a housing, a hood. The feeder assembly comprises a lower conveyor and an upper conveyor. The position of the lower conveyor and the upper conveyor is such that upper conveyor assists the lower conveyor in directing crop material being transported on the lower conveyor towards a discharge end of the lower conveyor. The hood engages a belt of the second upper conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Gary W. Clem, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian W. Carr, Scott A. Sporrer, Adam R. Koesters, Ryan A. Carstensen, Cody J. Sobotka
  • Publication number: 20210105943
    Abstract: A harvesting system having a housing with a cover, a first end wall, a second end wall, and a bottom wall. A rotatable assembly is mounted within the housing. The housing has a pair of housing sections separated by a gap to receive a plant having plant material. A guide member is attached to the housing to direct a plant into the gap. Also disposed within the housing is a material transport assembly adapted to transport plant material to a hopper or wagon. The rotatable member is adapted to strip and collect plant material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Inventors: Brian W. Carr, Scott A. Sporrer, Christian G. Clem, Larry J. Reed, Chris W. Wendt, Ryan A. Carstensen, Patrick H. Clem, Matthew T. Sobotka
  • Patent number: 10624256
    Abstract: A method of operating a planter where plot characteristics are input into a controller that is associated with a planter. A distance measuring device associated with the controller senses ground speed and distance traveled and transmits the sensed information to the controller. The controller then automatically adjusts the rotational speed of a seed plate of a row planter mounted to the planter based upon the sensed information to achieve the input plot characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Gary W. Clem, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian W. Carr, Andrew G. Jenkins, Curtis R. Hammer, Scott A. Sporrer, Nick Merfeld, Marcus D. Woster
  • Patent number: 10412894
    Abstract: A grain processing assembly having a feeder assembly with a discharge end that is adjacent and above an opening in a thresher assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Gary W. Clem, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian W. Carr, Scott A. Sporrer, Adam R. Koesters, Ryan A. Carstensen, Cody J. Sobotka
  • Publication number: 20190239435
    Abstract: A grain processing assembly having a feeder assembly with a discharge end that is adjacent and above an opening in a thresher assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Brian W. Carr, Scott A. Sporrer, Adam R. Koesters, Ryan A. Carstensen, Cody J. Sobotka
  • Patent number: 9635804
    Abstract: A system for planting seeds having a metering system positioned before a belt lowering system that has a sensor to detect the position of a seed on the belt lowering system. The rotational speed of the metering system and the belt lowering system are determined by the speed and location of a planter and the position of the seed on the belt lowering system to correct seed positioning with relation to a pre-mapped or selected field starting location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: GARY W. CLEM, INC.
    Inventors: Brian W. Carr, Scott A. Sporrer, Nick Merfeld, Andrew G. Jenkins
  • Publication number: 20160366828
    Abstract: A grain processing assembly having a feeder assembly with a discharge end that is adjacent and above an opening in a thresher assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Brian W. Carr, Scott A. Sporrer, Adam R. Koesters, Ryan A. Carstensen, Cody J. Sobotka
  • Publication number: 20150144041
    Abstract: A system for planting seeds having a metering system positioned before a belt lowering system that has a sensor to detect the position of a seed on the belt lowering system. The rotational speed of the metering system and the belt lowering system are determined by the speed and location of a planter and the position of the seed on the belt lowering system to correct seed positioning with relation to a pre-mapped or selected field starting location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Brian W. Carr, Scott A. Sporrer, Nick Merfeld, Andrew G. Jenkins
  • Publication number: 20140121910
    Abstract: A method of operating a planter where plot characteristics are input into a controller that is associated with a planter. A distance measuring device associated with the controller senses ground speed and distance traveled and transmits the sensed information to the controller. The controller then automatically adjusts the rotational speed of a seed plate of a row planter mounted to the planter based upon the sensed information to achieve the input plot characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: GARY W. CLEM, INC.
    Inventors: Brian W. Carr, Andrew G. Jenkins, Curtis R. Hammer, Scott A. Sporrer, Nick Merfeld, Marcus D. Woster
  • Publication number: 20130333602
    Abstract: A system for planting seeds having a metering system positioned before a belt lowering system that has a sensor to detect the position of a seed on the belt lowering system. The rotational speed of the metering system and the belt lowering system are determined by the speed and location of a planter and the position of the seed on the belt lowering system to correct seed positioning with relation to a pre-mapped or selected field starting location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: Brian W. Carr, Scott A. Sporrer, Nick Merfeld, Andrew G. Jenkins
  • Patent number: 8218710
    Abstract: A seed counting device where accuracy is maintained at higher counting rates. The seed counting device has a hopper in communication with a tray. An activator is connected to the tray to vibrate the tray. Connected to one end of the tray is a separator having sensors. Below the tray and in partial alignment with the separator is a projecting device. The projecting device projects seeds that fall from the tray past the sensors and into a seed chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Gary W. Clem, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian W. Carr, Andrew G. Jenkins, Curtis R. Hammer, Scott A. Sporrer, Adam R. Koesters, Edward J. Plizga, Peter B. Moore
  • Patent number: 8175212
    Abstract: A seed counting device where accuracy is maintained at higher counting rates. The seed counting device has a hopper in communication with a tray. An activator is connected to the tray to vibrate the tray. Connected to one end of the tray is a separator having sensors. Below the tray and in partial alignment with the separator is a projecting device. The projecting device projects seeds that fall from the tray past the sensors and into a seed chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Gary W. Clem, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian W. Carr, Andrew G. Jenkins, Curtis R. Hammer, Scott A. Sporrer, Adam R. Koesters, Edward J. Plizga, Peter B. Moore
  • Publication number: 20120106694
    Abstract: A seed counting device where accuracy is maintained at higher counting rates. The seed counting device has a hopper in communication with a tray. An activator is connected to the tray to vibrate the tray. Connected to one end of the tray is a separator having sensors. Below the tray and in partial alignment with the separator is a projecting device. The projecting device projects seeds that fall from the tray past the sensors and into a seed chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Brian W. CARR, Andrew G. JENKINS, Curtis R. HAMMER, Scott A. SPORRER, Adam R. KOESTERS, Edward J. PLIZGA, Peter B. MOORE
  • Patent number: 8015884
    Abstract: A flow meter used in relation to a hopper mounted to a frame and a transfer tube connected to an in communication with the hopper. Both the hopper and the transfer tube have gates that are connected to actuators for selectively opening and closing the gates. A sensor is mounted to the frame adjacent the transfer tube. Mounted below and in communication with the transfer tube is the flow meter. The flow meter has a curved chute and a load beam that measure the inertial force of material acting upon the curved chute over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Gary W. Clem, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian W. Carr, Scott A. Sporrer, Curtis R. Hammer, Scott P. Lyle, Cory W. Fees, Adam R. Koesters
  • Publication number: 20110182397
    Abstract: A seed counting device where accuracy is maintained at higher counting rates. The seed counting device has a hopper in communication with a tray. An activator is connected to the tray to vibrate the tray. Connected to one end of the tray is a separator having sensors. Below the tray and in partial alignment with the separator is a projecting device. The projecting device projects seeds that fall from the tray past the sensors and into a seed chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: GARY W. CLEM, INC.
    Inventors: Brian W. Carr, Andrew G. Jenkins, Curtis R. Hammer, Scott A. Sporrer, Adam R. Koesters, Edward J. Plizga, Peter B. Moore
  • Publication number: 20090118910
    Abstract: A method of operating a planter where plot characteristics are input into a controller that is associated with a planter. A distance measuring device associated with the controller senses ground speed and distance traveled and transmits the sensed information to the controller. The controller then automatically adjusts the rotational speed of a seed plate of a row planter mounted to the planter based upon the sensed information to achieve the input plot characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: GARY W. CLEM, INC.
    Inventors: Brian W. Carr, Andrew G. Jenkins, Curtis R. Hammer, Scott A. Sporrer, Nick Merfeld, Marcus D. Woster
  • Patent number: 7398636
    Abstract: A wheel mounted grain harvester includes a harvesting head for depositing grain in a grain handling assembly comprised of a plurality of grain moving parts. Control means are located on the harvester for selectively interrupting grain flow along the grain moving parts causing harvested grain from a new separate row segment to temporarily accumulate. Means are provided for transporting the harvested grain from separate row segments into separate collection bins permit the separate evaluation of the harvested grain in each row segment. Means are provided for moving the harvester along the row at a constant rate of speed to avoid the necessity of stopping the harvester between row segments to effect the separate evaluation of the harvested grain. The selective interruption by the control means is accomplished by either interrupting at least one of the grain moving parts or by selectively closing a movable blocking wall mounted on the harvester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Gary W. Clem, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian W Carr, Donald F Handorf, Peter B Moore, Nick Merfeld, Scott A Sporrer, Curtis R Hammer, Gary W Clem
  • Patent number: 7337733
    Abstract: A distance measuring device mounted to a planter used to plant crops. The distance measuring device has a cable extending between a first pulley and second pulley wherein the cable has at least one target. A sensor located adjacent the first pulley and connected to a controller sends a signal to the controller when the sensor detects the target. Adjacent the second pulley is an encoder that sends a second signal to the controller based upon the rotation of the second pulley such that the controller can determine the amount of distance that the planter has traveled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Gary W. Clem, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian W Carr, Scott A Sporrer, Donald F Handorf, Peter B Moore
  • Publication number: 20060278142
    Abstract: A distance measuring device mounted to a planter used to plant crops. The distance measuring device has a cable extending between a first pulley and second pulley wherein the cable has at least one target. A sensor located adjacent the first pulley and connected to a controller sends a signal to the controller when the sensor detects the target. Adjacent the second pulley is an encoder that sends a second signal to the controller based upon the rotation of the second pulley such that the controller can determine the amount of distance that the planter has traveled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Publication date: December 14, 2006
    Applicant: Gary W. Clem, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Carr, Scott Sporrer, Donald Handorf, Peter Moore