Patents by Inventor Tim A. Sauder

Tim A. Sauder 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: 9173339
    Abstract: A system and method for determining the appropriate downforce on an agricultural planter row unit that minimizes soil compaction while maintaining desired furrow depth. A load sensor is disposed to generate a load signal corresponding to loading on a depth regulation member of the row unit. In one method a load margin is calculated based on a minimum detected load value. In another method, a load margin is derived through a statistical analysis of the detected load values. The load margin calculated or derived by any of the methods is indicative of the amount of supplemental down force that should be increased or decreased to bring the load margin toward zero. A ground contact parameter may also be used in connection with the load margin to provide further confidence on the proper amount of downforce required to ensure furrow depth while minimizing soil compaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Derek A. Sauder, Tim A. Sauder, Justin L. Koch, Phil D. Baurer
  • Publication number: 20100198529
    Abstract: A system and method for determining the appropriate downforce on an agricultural planter row unit that minimizes soil compaction while maintaining desired furrow depth. A load sensor is disposed to generate a load signal corresponding to loading on a depth regulation member of the row unit. In one method a load margin is calculated based on a minimum detected load value. In another method, a load margin is derived through a statistical analysis of the detected load values. The load margin calculated or derived by any of the methods is indicative of the amount of supplemental down force that should be increased or decreased to bring the load margin toward zero. A ground contact parameter may also be used in connection with the load margin to provide further confidence on the proper amount of downforce required to ensure furrow depth while minimizing soil compaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: Precision Planting, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek A. Sauder, Tim A. Sauder, Justin L. Koch, Phil D. Baurer