Patents by Inventor Thomas B. Brumback

Thomas B. Brumback 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).

  • System and method for sensor-based feedback control of a seed conditioning and production process
    Patent number: 9278377
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for optimizing the flow of seed along a seed handling path. The system and method include multiple stages at which seeds undergo different processes to prepare the seeds for sale or further handling. The stages may include one or more of Receiving, Husking, Sorting, Drying, Shelling, Bulk Storage, Sizing, Conditioning, Treating, and Packaging. Sensors may be located along the seed handling path for monitoring the seed handling path and the operations and conveyances occurring along the seed handling path at and between different stages. The sensors may provide feedback signals to a controller, which may in turn adjust the operating parameters of various processing devices associated with one or more of the stages in a real-time scenario to optimize the operations and conveyances occurring along the seed handling path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: PIONEER HI BRED INTERNATIONAL INC
    Inventors: Thomas B. Brumback, Steven J. Corak, James L. Hunter, Yong G. Lee
  • System and Method for Sensor-Based Feedback Control of a Seed Conditioning and Production Process
    Publication number: 20120110954
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for optimizing the flow of seed along a seed handling path. The system and method include multiple stages at which seeds undergo different processes to prepare the seeds for sale or further handling. The stages may include one or more of Receiving, Husking, Sorting, Drying, Shelling, Bulk Storage, Sizing, Conditioning, Treating, and Packaging. Sensors may be located along the seed handling path for monitoring the seed handling path and the operations and conveyances occurring along the seed handling path at and between different stages. The sensors may provide feedback signals to a controller, which may in turn adjust the operating parameters of various processing devices associated with one or more of the stages in a real-time scenario to optimize the operations and conveyances occurring along the seed handling path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Thomas B. Brumback, Steven J. Corak, James L. Hunter, Yong G. Lee