Patents by Inventor Timothy J. Kraus

Timothy J. Kraus 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).

  • AGRICULTURAL BALER PLATFORM
    Publication number: 20160014969
    Abstract: An agricultural baler comprising a baler mechanism and a carriage assembly coupled to the baler mechanism. A platform is coupled to at least one of the baler mechanism and the carriage assembly. The platform is configured to move a bale from the baler mechanism to the carriage assembly and remain tilted until the bale is moved onto the carriage assembly at least substantially out of contact with the platform. A sliding mechanism is coupled to the carriage assembly. The sliding mechanism is configured to move the bale onto the carriage assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: TIMOTHY J. KRAUS, HENRY D. ANSTEY
  • AGRICULTURAL BALE CARRIAGE WINGS
    Publication number: 20160014968
    Abstract: An agricultural baler having a direction of travel and comprises a baler mechanism and a carriage assembly. The carriage assembly is coupled to the baler mechanism. The carriage assembly comprises a fixed section and at least one extending section. The extending section is extendable in a direction generally normal to the direction of travel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: TIMOTHY J. KRAUS, HENRY D. ANSTEY
  • STRATEGIC CROP PLACEMENT USING A VIRTUAL TRIP LINE FOR A HARVESTER AND CROP ACCUMULATOR COMBINATION
    Publication number: 20160014971
    Abstract: A harvester and a crop accumulator combination. The harvester is configured to transfer a harvested crop to the crop accumulator. The crop accumulator comprises at least one actuator to selectively discharge the harvested crops onto a field. A GPS unit is configured with at least one virtual trip line. An ECU is in communication with the GPS unit. The ECU is configured to selectively command the actuator of the crop accumulator to discharge harvested crop onto the field when the ECU receives a signal from the GPS unit when at least one of the virtual trip line is being approached, the virtual trip line is being crossed, and the virtual trip line has been crossed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventor: TIMOTHY J. KRAUS
  • STRATEGIC BALE PLACEMENT DEVICE
    Publication number: 20160014966
    Abstract: An agricultural baler comprising a baler mechanism. The agricultural baler comprises at least one structural member and a first ground engaging support is pivotally coupled to the structural member about a pivotal axis. A second ground engaging support is rotationally coupled to the structural member about an aft rotational axis. The baler mechanism is pivotally connected to the structural member at a baler connection. The baler connection is located at least one of between the aft rotational axis and the pivotal axis and at the pivotal axis. A bale carriage is coupled to the structural member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: TIMOTHY J. KRAUS, HENRY D. ANSTEY
  • Method and apparatus for determining fraction of hay at different moisture levels
    Patent number: 9192103
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for determining the fraction of hay at various moisture levels during an agricultural baling process. A moisture sensor array is provided on an agricultural baler to sense the moisture content of incoming crop material as the baling process progresses. The moisture sensor array is connected to an ECU that is programmed to determine the ratios of incoming crop material that are at or above particular moisture content levels. An indication is given to the operator by way of an operator output device regarding the moisture content ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Timothy J Kraus
  • Method for determining the weight of an agricultural bale that compensates for un-level terrain and adjusting for the amount of wrapping material used
    Patent number: 9182269
    Abstract: A method is provided for determining the weight of an agricultural bale that compensates for un-level terrain such as hillsides. The method uses an empty baler tare weight and a full baler weight to determine a raw bale weight. The cosine of the slope upon which the baler sits is then calculated based upon the empty baler weight as it sits and the empty baler tare weight. The cosine of the angle of slope and raw bale weight are the used to determine an actual bale weight. Further steps are provided for compensating in the tare weight of the baler for the weight of wrapping material consumed in the formation of each bale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Timothy J. Kraus
  • Mower-conditioner header speed control based on forward travel speed
    Patent number: 9179600
    Abstract: A self-propelled mower-conditioner includes a rotary cutter bar that feeds cut crop to a driven crop conveying arrangement which delivers the crop to a windrow forming arrangement. The speed at which the crop conveying arrangement delivers crop to the windrow forming arrangement is controlled so as to be a predetermined ratio of the ground speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Timothy J. Kraus
  • GATE POSITION CONTROL OF ROUND BALE DISCHARGE
    Publication number: 20150257340
    Abstract: An agricultural round baler has an electronic control unit (ECU), a bale diameter sensor, a gate position sensor, and an electro-hydraulic valve that controls the flow to the gate lift cylinder. The ECU determines the height to which the gate must be raised based on the bale diameter. When the gate reaches the desired height, the ECU closes or restricts the electro-hydraulic valve for a brief period of time thereby momentarily slowing or stopping gate the gate. Momentarily trapping the bale between the gate and ground allows the bale to come to rest before the bale is released from the baler. The gate can then be fully opened so that the tractor and baler can be moved clear of the bale before closing the gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Applicant: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Henry D. Anstey, Timothy J. Kraus
  • CONTROL LOGIC FOR APPLYING PRESERVATIVE TO AGRICULTURAL BALES
    Publication number: 20140165857
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for applying preservative to agricultural crops during baling. More particularly, a baler has a preservative application system and a crop moisture sensor array. The crop moisture sensor array is in communication with the preservative application system so that the application of preservative to the crop can be controlled in response to a moisture content sensed by the crop moisture sensor array that exceeds both a moisture content threshold value and a threshold value relating to the percentage of crop material having a moisture content above the moisture content threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: TIMOTHY J KRAUS
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING FRACTION OF HAY AT DIFFERENT MOISTURE LEVELS
    Publication number: 20140158000
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for determining the fraction of hay at various moisture levels during an agricultural baling process. A moisture sensor array is provided on an agricultural baler to sense the moisture content of incoming crop material as the baling process progresses. The moisture sensor array is connected to an ECU that is programmed to determine the ratios of incoming crop material that are at or above particular moisture content levels. An indication is given to the operator by way of an operator output device regarding the moisture content ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Timothy J. Kraus
  • MOWER- CONDITIONER HEADER SPEED CONTROL BASED ON FORWARD TRAVEL SPEED
    Publication number: 20140144116
    Abstract: A self-propelled mower-conditioner includes a rotary cutter bar that feeds cut crop to a driven crop conveying arrangement which delivers the crop to a windrow forming arrangement. The speed at which the crop conveying arrangement delivers crop to the windrow forming arrangement is controlled so as to be a predetermined ratio of the ground speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Timothy J. Kraus
  • Method For Determining Agricultural Bale Weight
    Publication number: 20140090903
    Abstract: A method is provided for determining the weight of a agricultural bale that compensates for un-level terrain such as hillsides. The method uses an empty baler tare weight and a full baler weight to determine a raw bale weight. The cosine of the slope upon which the baler sits is then calculated based upon the empty baler weight as it sits and the empty baler tare weight. The cosine of the angle of slope and raw bale weight are then used to determine a actual bale weight. Further steps are provided for compensating in the tare weight of the baler for the weight of wrapping material consumed in the formation of each bale.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Inventor: Timothy J. Kraus
  • Method For Determining Agricultural Bale Weight
    Publication number: 20140090904
    Abstract: A method is provided for determining the weight of an agricultural bale that compensates for un-level terrain such as hillsides. The method uses an empty baler tare weight and a full baler weight to determine a raw bale weight. The cosine of the slope upon which the baler sits is then calculated based upon the empty baler weight as it sits and the empty baler tare weight. The cosine of the angle of slope and raw bale weight are the used to determine an actual bale weight. Further steps are provided for compensating in the tare weight of the baler for the weight of wrapping material consumed in the formation of each bale.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Inventor: Timothy J. Kraus
  • Two-Stage Harvesting System
    Publication number: 20140059992
    Abstract: A two-stage harvesting system including a first stage harvesting apparatus and a second stage harvesting apparatus. The first stage harvesting apparatus takes a first crop portion from an agricultural crop leaving a second crop portion in a field. The second stage harvesting apparatus takes the second crop portion. The first stage harvesting apparatus and the second stage harvesting apparatus are connected together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: Timothy J Kraus, Jeremy M. Erdmann
  • Method and apparatus for applying preservative to agricultural bales
    Patent number: 8656830
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for applying preservative to agricultural crops during baling. More particularly, a baler has a preservative application system and a bale size sensor. The preservative application system has a preservative storage container, a preservative transfer device and an applicator device. The preservative transfer device is in communication with both the storage container and the applicator device to transfer a preservative stored in the storage container to the applicator device. The bale size sensor is in communication with the transfer device so that the transfer device and therefore the application of preservative to the crop can be controlled in response to a bale size sensed by the bale size sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Timothy J. Kraus
  • Drive quad module
    Patent number: 8602135
    Abstract: A combination including a harvester, a generator vehicle, and a transport vehicle including a chassis, a motor, a plurality of traction devices, and a control unit aligning the transport vehicle in relation to at least one of the harvester and a previous path of the harvester. A method of positioning a train of transport vehicles in relation to a path of the harvester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Timothy J. Kraus
  • Method and apparatus for determining fraction of hay at different moisture levels
    Patent number: 8596194
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for determining the fraction of hay at various moisture levels during an agricultural baling process. A moisture sensor array is provided on an agricultural baler to sense the moisture content of incoming crop material as the baling process progresses. The moisture sensor array is connected to an ECU that is programrned to determine the ratios of incoming crop material that are at or above particular moisture content levels. An indication is given to the operator by way of an operator output device regarding the moisture content ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Timothy J. Kraus
  • Control logic for applying preservative to agricultural bales
    Patent number: 8567311
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for applying preservative to agricultural crops during baling. More particularly, a baler has a preservative application system and a crop moisture sensor array. The crop moisture sensor array is in communication with the preservative application system so that the application of preservative to the crop can be controlled in response to a moisture content sensed by the crop moisture sensor array that exceeds both a moisture content threshold value and a threshold value relating to the percentage of crop material having a moisture content above the moisture content threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Timothy J. Kraus
  • Method for determining agricultural bale weight
    Patent number: 8326563
    Abstract: A method is provided for determining the weight of an agricultural bale that compensates for un-level terrain such as hillsides. The method uses an empty baler tare weight and a full baler weight to determine a raw bale weight. The cosine of the slope upon which the baler sits is then calculated based upon the empty baler weight as it sits and the empty baler tare weight. The cosine of the angle of slope and raw bale weight are then used to determine an actual bale weight. Further steps are provided for compensating in the tare weight of the baler for the weight of wrapping material consumed in the formation of each bale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Timothy J. Kraus
  • Method And Apparatus For Determining Fraction Of Hay At Different Moisture Levels
    Publication number: 20120103205
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for determining the fraction of hay at various moisture levels during an agricultural baling process. A moisture sensor array s provided on an agricultural baler to sense the moisture content of incoming crop material as the baling process progresses. The moisture sensor array is connected to an ECU that is programrned to determine the ratios of incoming crop material that are at or above particular moisture content levels. An indication is given to the operator by way of an operator output device regarding the moisture content ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventor: Timothy J. Kraus