Patents by Inventor Thomas G. Mueller

Thomas G. Mueller 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).

  • Patent number: 11839173
    Abstract: A compaction mitigation system for a work area and a method of mitigating compaction in a work area may include determining a compaction map of the work area having compaction data associated with a plurality of reference points, passing a work tool through the work area at the plurality of reference points, and adjusting the work tool at the plurality of reference points based on the compaction data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Brandon M. McDonald, Jacob D. Mayer, Thomas G. Mueller, Benjamin M. Smith, Ryan Jensen
  • Patent number: 11596964
    Abstract: A system for spraying plants comprises a location-determining receiver for estimating a position of a sprayer with respect to one or more rows of plants. A distance sensor is arranged to measure a distance between a nozzle assembly and a plant row segment. A guidance module is adapted to align the nozzle assembly with a target path between the rows of plants, such as a centered path between the rows, or offset between the rows of the plants. A first nozzle is targeted toward a first zone with respect to the plant row segment based on a first spray pattern of the first nozzle. A second nozzle is targeted toward a second zone with respect to the plant row segment based on a second spray pattern of the second nozzle. A nozzle selection module for selecting automatically a first nozzle or a second nozzle based on maximum coverage of a target zone around the plant segment based on the first zone, the second zone, and the measured distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Larry L. Hendrickson, Noel W. Anderson, Thomas G. Mueller, Richard J. Connell
  • Publication number: 20220312662
    Abstract: A compaction mitigation system for a work area and a method of mitigating compaction in a work area may include determining a compaction map of the work area having compaction data associated with a plurality of reference points, passing a work tool through the work area at the plurality of reference points, and adjusting the work tool at the plurality of reference points based on the compaction data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: BRANDON M. MCDONALD, JACOB D. MAYER, THOMAS G. MUELLER, BENJAMIN M. SMITH, RYAN JENSEN
  • Patent number: 11395452
    Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment, a compaction mitigation system for a work area and a method of mitigating compaction in a work area are provided. The method includes determining a compaction map of the work area having compaction data associated with a plurality of reference points, passing a work tool through the work area at the plurality of reference points, and adjusting the work tool at the plurality of reference points based on the compaction data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Brandon M. McDonald, Jacob D. Mayer, Thomas G. Mueller, Benjamin M. Smith, Ryan Jensen
  • Publication number: 20220087097
    Abstract: A method for planting a seed (124) with a desired planted seed orientation (141) within an agricultural field (90), the method comprising: determining, with a processor (140), a seed orienter (120) position within the agricultural field (90) using position data from at least one of a planter (302) or an agricultural vehicle (300); determining, with the processor (140), the desired planted seed orientation (141) for the seed orienter (120) position within the agricultural field (90); and planting the seed (124) according to the desired planted seed orientation (141) at the position within the agricultural field (90).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Jeremy A. Leifker, Cole L. Murray, Thomas G. Mueller, Noel W. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20210283637
    Abstract: A system for spraying plants comprises a location-determining receiver for estimating a position of a sprayer with respect to one or more rows of plants. A distance sensor is arranged to measure a distance between a nozzle assembly and a plant row segment. A guidance module is adapted to align the nozzle assembly with a target path between the rows of plants, such as a centered path between the rows, or offset between the rows of the plants. A first nozzle is targeted toward a first zone with respect to the plant row segment based on a first spray pattern of the first nozzle. A second nozzle is targeted toward a second zone with respect to the plant row segment based on a second spray pattern of the second nozzle. A nozzle selection module for selecting automatically a first nozzle or a second nozzle based on maximum coverage of a target zone around the plant segment based on the first zone, the second zone, and the measured distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Larry L. Hendrickson, Noel W. Anderson, Thomas G. Mueller, Richard J. Connell
  • Patent number: 11033921
    Abstract: A system for spraying plants comprises a location-determining receiver for estimating a position of a sprayer with respect to one or more rows of plants. A distance sensor is arranged to measure a distance between a nozzle assembly and a plant row segment. A guidance module is adapted to align the nozzle assembly with a target path between the rows of plants, such as a centered path between the rows, or offset between the rows of the plants. A first nozzle is targeted toward a first zone with respect to the plant row segment based on a first spray pattern of the first nozzle. A second nozzle is targeted toward a second zone with respect to the plant row segment based on a second spray pattern of the second nozzle. A nozzle selection module for selecting automatically a first nozzle or a second nozzle based on maximum coverage of a target zone around the plant segment based on the first zone, the second zone, and the measured distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Larry L. Hendrickson, Noel W. Anderson, Thomas G. Mueller, Richard J. Connell
  • Publication number: 20200000006
    Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment, a compaction mitigation system for a work area and a method of mitigating compaction in a work area are provided. The method includes determining a compaction map of the work area having compaction data associated with a plurality of reference points, passing a work tool through the work area at the plurality of reference points, and adjusting the work tool at the plurality of reference points based on the compaction data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: BRANDON M. MCDONALD, JACOB D. MAYER, THOMAS G. MUELLER, BENJAMIN M. SMITH, RYAN JENSEN
  • Patent number: 10309452
    Abstract: A bearing assembly is for supporting a pivotable member and includes a laminated bearing having a generally cylindrical body with a centerline and a central bore for receiving at least a portion of the pivotable member. The body is formed of a plurality of alternating, generally tubular elastomeric and metallic laminae nested coaxially about the central axis, each one of the elastomeric and metallic laminae having opposing axial ends. At least one and preferably two thermally conductive members are coupled with a separate one of the two axial ends of one of the metallic laminae and each extends generally axially from the bearing body so as to provide a heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventor: Thomas G. Mueller
  • Publication number: 20190126308
    Abstract: A system for spraying plants comprises a location-determining receiver for estimating a position of a sprayer with respect to one or more rows of plants. A distance sensor is arranged to measure a distance between a nozzle assembly and a plant row segment. A guidance module is adapted to align the nozzle assembly with a target path between the rows of plants, such as a centered path between the rows, or offset between the rows of the plants. A first nozzle is targeted toward a first zone with respect to the plant row segment based on a first spray pattern of the first nozzle. A second nozzle is targeted toward a second zone with respect to the plant row segment based on a second spray pattern of the second nozzle. A nozzle selection module for selecting automatically a first nozzle or a second nozzle based on maximum coverage of a target zone around the plant segment based on the first zone, the second zone, and the measured distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Larry L. Hendrickson, Noel W. Anderson, Thomas G. Mueller, Richard J. Connell
  • Publication number: 20160091017
    Abstract: A bearing assembly is for supporting a pivotable member and includes a laminated bearing having a generally cylindrical body with a centerline and a central bore for receiving at least a portion of the pivotable member. The body is formed of a plurality of alternating, generally tubular elastomeric and metallic laminae nested coaxially about the central axis, each one of the elastomeric and metallic laminae having opposing axial ends. At least one and preferably two thermally conductive members are coupled with a separate one of the two axial ends of one of the metallic laminae and each extends generally axially from the bearing body so as to provide a heat sink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventor: Thomas G. Mueller
  • Patent number: 9011010
    Abstract: Wind turbine blade pitch bearing device (1) adapted for rotational support of a turbine blade (9), having a first bearing unit (4, 5) and a second bearing unit (6, 7) coaxial to the first bearing unit. The first bearing unit (4, 5) and the second bearing unit (6, 7) are of different bearing types. By using two different bearing types, one bearing can be optimized for small and quick rotations and the other type can be optimized for larger and slower rotations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Thomas G. Mueller, Adam V. C. Reedman, Eric L. Brubaker
  • Publication number: 20130202232
    Abstract: Wind turbine blade pitch bearing device (1) adapted for rotational support of a turbine blade (9), having a first bearing unit (4, 5) and a second bearing unit (6, 7) coaxial to the first bearing unit. According to the invention, the first bearing unit (4, 5) and the second bearing unit (6, 7) are of different bearing types. By using two different bearing types, one bearing can be optimized for small and quick rotations and the other type can be optimized for larger and slower rotations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventors: Thomas G. Mueller, Adam V.C. Reedman, Eric L. Brubaker
  • Patent number: 7097169
    Abstract: An elastomeric bearing having inner and outer races and a core. The core has a plurality of resilient laminae and a plurality of non-resilient laminae interleaved with one another. Each of the lamina has an axially inner cylindrical portion of a given diameter, an axially outer cylindrical portion of a greater diameter than the given diameter and, lying between the inner and outer laminae, an angled portion joining the axially inner and outer laminae to each other. The laminae are continuous and of one piece. In this way, the elastomeric bearing has comparatively small resistance to torsional movement, but great resistance to both radial and axial movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: SKF USA Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas G. Mueller