Patents by Inventor Steve Nolte

Steve Nolte 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: 20230172096
    Abstract: An agricultural implement includes the calibration of liquid fertilizer distribution for an agricultural implement. The calibration system measures the level of the liquid fertilizer or utilizes a known volume in a container and the pressure of the liquid fertilizer. The system uses the level and pressure to calculate the density of the liquid fertilizer, which helps achieve more consistent fertilizer application. Additionally, the density of the liquid fertilizer can be used to more accurately measure the tank level of a particular tank. The system can include a tilt sensor and valves so that when the agricultural implement is traversing a hill or otherwise rough terrain, the system can accurately measure tank level and selectively draw liquid fertilizer from a particular tank or tanks to mitigate spillage. The system also can measure and monitor the tank level of the tank or tanks and automatically fill the tank or tanks based on the measured tank level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2022
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Steve Nolte, Philip Willis, Denny Williams, Austin Flugum
  • Publication number: 20230165236
    Abstract: A drawback system is used with a liquid fertilizer distribution system to be used with agricultural implements. The drawback system may include a two-way, reversible pump that allows liquid fertilizer material to be transported from a system source or toward a system source. The drawback system allows liquid fertilizer that is not applied to an agricultural field to be cleared from piping, conduits, and/or other components of a liquid fertilizer system and drawn back into a holding chamber. The drawback system may also comprise a positive displacement pump in communication with a plurality of valves wherein manipulation of the valves can control the direction of the flow of liquid fertilizer, either from or toward a system/fluid source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2022
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Inventors: Steve Nolte, Philip Willis, Denny Williams, Austin Flugum
  • Publication number: 20230105843
    Abstract: A liquid fertilizer system is used with agricultural implements to apply liquid fertilizer, in a desired amount, to a field and/or crop. The fertilizer system relies on system pressure to regulate the flow of the liquid fertilizer through and out of the system. The pressure is regulated, at least in part, by a motorized relief valve, which may be a pressure regulator that is modulated with a spring. The spring provides a nuanced adjustment mechanism that responds quickly to changes, and which is responsive to more minute changes to the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Inventors: Steve Nolte, Denny Williams
  • Publication number: 20220264787
    Abstract: The pressure of a fluid passing through several air entrainers can be controlled so as to more effectively move particulate material from one or more bulk hoppers to an end location. This is accomplished through use of an integrated, electric fluid pressure source, such as a fan in one or more of the segments. The pressure can be increased based upon a speed of an agricultural implement or a weight of the particulate material and/or the pneumatic flow can compensate for distance the seed must travel before planting. The entrainer can thus be installed with a high speed planting implement, thereby reducing downtime and facilitating repair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventor: Steve Nolte
  • Patent number: 11224153
    Abstract: Agricultural planting implements, as well as other ground-engaging implements, can utilize supplemental force assemblies to provide up and/or down force at the row or rows of the implements. The force can be used to overcome changing field conditions, obstructions, as well as changing particulate amounts and weights carried by the rows of the implements, and the implement itself. The up force can be set at system pressure, or can include control valves at each of the row units to control the amount of up force provided. The down force can be controlled by control valves at each of the row units, and can be used to overcome the up pressure or provide a designated amount of down force to the row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott W. Leimkuehler, Steve Nolte, Robert Blackwell, Matthew Wilhelmi, David Schulte, Paul Zinnel
  • Patent number: 10405479
    Abstract: One or more portions of an agricultural implement has components that are adjusted to adjust the height of the portions. This allows the implement to be used in a transport position or in a field use position. To better control the change in the height, an implement includes a mechanical control valve that mechanically controls an input to one or more actuators that are providing the height adjustment. The mechanical control valve is used to attempt to synchronize the actuation or more than one actuator so that the height of the implement is adjusted in a controlled manner. The mechanical control valve can be self-adjusting to maintain a synchronized change in height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Steve Nolte
  • Publication number: 20190029165
    Abstract: Agricultural planting implements, as well as other ground-engaging implements, can utilize supplemental force assemblies to provide up and/or down force at the row or rows of the implements. The force can be used to overcome changing field conditions, obstructions, as well as changing particulate amounts and weights carried by the rows of the implements, and the implement itself. The up force can be set at system pressure, or can include control valves at each of the row units to control the amount of up force provided. The down force can be controlled by control valves at each of the row units, and can be used to overcome the up pressure or provide a designated amount of down force to the row.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: Scott W. Leimkuehler, Steve Nolte, Robert Blackwell, Matthew Wilhelmi, David Schulte, Paul Zinnel
  • Patent number: 10064323
    Abstract: An agricultural implement includes the use of one or more electromechanical hydraulic cylinder assembly in place of hydraulic cylinders. The assemblies may take various forms for actuation, and can convert an electric power source to hydraulic power for use on or with the implement. A control system is also provided for connecting to a tractor to provide control information to the assemblies or to a central hydraulic supply via a ISOBUS that rebroadcasts input controls from a source, such as a tractor used in conjunction with the agricultural implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Dustan Hahn, Merlan Rolffs, John P. Mulherin, Courtney N. Achen, Gary Volz, Steve Nolte, Ryan Legge, Rhett Schildroth
  • Publication number: 20170273231
    Abstract: One or more portions of an agricultural implement may have components that can be adjusted to adjust the height of the portions. This can allow the implement to be used in a transport position or in a field use position. To better control the change in the height, an implement can include a mechanical control valve that mechanically controls an input to one or more actuators that are providing the height adjustment. The mechanical control valve can be used to attempt to synchronize the actuation or more than one actuator so that the height of the implement is adjusted in a controlled manner. The mechanical control valve can be self-adjusting to maintain a synchronized change in height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventor: Steve Nolte
  • Publication number: 20150208571
    Abstract: An agricultural implement includes the use of one or more electromechanical hydraulic cylinder assembly in place of hydraulic cylinders. The assemblies may take various forms for actuation, and can convert an electric power source to hydraulic power for use on or with the implement. A control system is also provided for connecting to a tractor to provide control information to the assemblies or to a central hydraulic supply via a ISOBUS that rebroadcasts input controls from a source, such as a tractor used in conjunction with the agricultural implement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: Dustan Hahn, Merlan Rolffs, John P. Mulherin, Courtney N. Achen, Gary Volz, Steve Nolte, Ryan Legge, Rhett Schildroth