Patents by Inventor Timothy R. Blunier

Timothy R. Blunier 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: 11785872
    Abstract: A stabilizer wheel arrangement is actively damped when remotely positioning a stabilizer wheel of a towable agricultural implement by detecting an onset of ground-induced vibration and automatically introducing a phase-shifted vibration-countering or cancelling/damping modulation pattern into a signal that simultaneously and cooperatively controls the flow of hydraulic fluid to and from both the rod and base ends of the bore of a double-acting hydraulic cylinder, to hold the piston of the hydraulic cylinder at a target position determined from a desired position input signal corresponding to a desired position of the stabilizer wheel with respect to a frame of the agricultural implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLC
    Inventors: Yong Deng, Timothy R. Blunier
  • Patent number: 11696523
    Abstract: A system for hydraulically leveling a multi-wing agricultural implement having a pressure regulating valve and a folding valve fluidly coupled in parallel between a supply line, configured to provide a supply pressure of hydraulic fluid, and an actuator, configured to move an outer-wing section of the implement between a transport position and a fully-extended position. Specifically, when fluid is supplied to the actuator via the pressure regulating valve, only a portion of the supply pressure is allowed through the pressure regulating valve to the actuator such that the outer-wing section may pivot towards a position where the outer-wing section is substantially level with the inner-wing section. When hydraulic fluid is supplied to the actuator via the folding valve, the outer-wing section is actuated towards the transport position. When hydraulic fluid is supplied to the actuator via the leveling valve, the outer-wing section is leveled relative to the inner-wing section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Timothy R. Blunier, Jared Paul Schaffer
  • Patent number: 11540434
    Abstract: A cultivating disc for a tillage implement includes an attachment portion positioned at a radial center of the cultivating disc. The attachment portion includes one or more attachment features configured to couple the cultivating disc to the tillage implement about an axis of rotation of the cultivating disc. The attachment portion extends along a first plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the cultivating disc. The cultivating disc also includes a cutting edge portion positioned at a distal end of the cultivating disc relative to the axis of rotation. The cutting edge portion extends along a second plane parallel to the first plane. The cultivating disc further includes a curved connecting portion positioned between and connecting the attachment portion to the cutting edge portion. The curved connecting portion further defines one or more radii of curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Timothy R. Blunier
  • Patent number: 11483959
    Abstract: A disk assembly for agricultural implements comprises a disk hanger including a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end. The disk assembly further includes a hanger spindle supported relative to the distal end of the disk hanger for rotation about a first axis of rotation, and a blade spindle supported relative to the hanger spindle, with the blade spindle being rotatable about a second axis of rotation oriented non-parallel relative to the first axis of rotation. Additionally, the disk assembly includes a blade coupled to the blade spindle for rotation therewith about the second axis of rotation. Moreover, the disk assembly is configured such that rotation of the hanger spindle relative to the disk hanger about the first axis of rotation results in an adjustment of both an angle-of-engagement and a camber angle of the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Alan Forbes, Michael G. Kovach, David Long, Timothy R. Blunier
  • Patent number: 11324154
    Abstract: In one aspect, a finishing assembly for an agricultural implement may include first and second rolling baskets, a basket support assembly configured to support the first and second rolling baskets relative to each other, a linkage pivotably coupled to the basket support assembly at a pivot point, and at least one damping element. The at least one damping element may be configured to damp pivoting of the basket support assembly about the pivot point in both a first pivot direction and a second pivot direction, the second pivot direction being opposite the first pivot direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Jared Paul Schaffer, Timothy R. Blunier, Brice Magarity
  • Patent number: 11304353
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for remotely positioning a stabilizer wheel of a towable agricultural implement simultaneously, cooperatively and proportionally control the flow of hydraulic fluid to and from both the rod and base ends of the bore of a double-acting hydraulic cylinder, to hold the piston of the hydraulic cylinder at a target position determined from a desired position input signal corresponding to a desired position of the stabilizer wheel with respect to a frame of the agricultural implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Stovall, Kena Shah, Timothy R. Blunier
  • Publication number: 20210105925
    Abstract: A cultivating disc for a tillage implement includes an attachment portion positioned at a radial center of the cultivating disc. The attachment portion includes one or more attachment features configured to couple the cultivating disc to the tillage implement about an axis of rotation of the cultivating disc. The attachment portion extends along a first plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the cultivating disc. The cultivating disc also includes a cutting edge portion positioned at a distal end of the cultivating disc relative to the axis of rotation. The cutting edge portion extends along a second plane parallel to the first plane. The cultivating disc further includes a curved connecting portion positioned between and connecting the attachment portion to the cutting edge portion. The curved connecting portion further defines one or more radii of curvature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Inventor: Timothy R. Blunier
  • Patent number: 10973162
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for adjusting fore/aft level trim of the frame of a towed agricultural tillage implement utilize an electronic control unit that receives an input signal indicative of a desired depth of penetration of tillage tools operatively attached to the front and rear of the implement frame, and automatically computes a desired for/aft trim angle as a function of the desired depth input, and then adjusts the fore/aft trim of the implement frame by titling the frame toward the front or rear of the frame in accordance with the desired fore/aft trim angle computed from the desired depth input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher Barrick, John Endsley, Timothy R. Blunier, James W. Henry, Tracey Meiners, Klint Peterson
  • Patent number: 10966362
    Abstract: An auxiliary tool assembly for an agricultural implement is configured to support a finishing tool(s) at a location at or adjacent to the aft end of the implement. The auxiliary tool assembly includes a support arm extending lengthwise between a proximal end and a distal end, with the proximal end of the support arm being pivotally coupled to a portion of the implement at or adjacent to its aft end so that the tool assembly is pivotable relative to the implement between a work position and a transport position. In addition, the finishing tool(s) is configured to be coupled to or otherwise supported relative to the ground by the support arm at a location between its proximal and distal ends. Moreover, the auxiliary tool assembly includes one or more surface-engaging wheels coupled to the distal end of the support arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Michael G. Kovach, Scott R. Faust, Timothy R. Blunier, Gaylen J. Kromminga
  • Publication number: 20210092894
    Abstract: A disk assembly for agricultural implements comprises a disk hanger including a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end. The disk assembly further includes a hanger spindle supported relative to the distal end of the disk hanger for rotation about a first axis of rotation, and a blade spindle supported relative to the hanger spindle, with the blade spindle being rotatable about a second axis of rotation oriented non-parallel relative to the first axis of rotation. Additionally, the disk assembly includes a blade coupled to the blade spindle for rotation therewith about the second axis of rotation. Moreover, the disk assembly is configured such that rotation of the hanger spindle relative to the disk hanger about the first axis of rotation results in an adjustment of both an angle-of-engagement and a camber angle of the blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Alan Forbes, Michael G. Kovach, David Long, Timothy R. Blunier
  • Publication number: 20200390020
    Abstract: In one aspect, a finishing assembly for an agricultural implement may include first and second rolling baskets, a basket support assembly configured to support the first and second rolling baskets relative to each other, a linkage pivotably coupled to the basket support assembly at a pivot point, and at least one damping element. The at least one damping element may be configured to damp pivoting of the basket support assembly about the pivot point in both a first pivot direction and a second pivot direction, the second pivot direction being opposite the first pivot direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: Jared Paul Schaffer, Timothy R. Blunier, Brice Magarity
  • Patent number: 10813269
    Abstract: A system for remotely controlling hydraulic component of an agricultural implement towed by a work vehicle may include a vehicle-based valve assembly that selectively supplies hydraulic fluid to one or more supply lines of the implement. Specifically, a first supply line may be fluidly coupled to an implement-based valve assembly that regulates the supply of hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic actuator through a first actuator line. A second supply line may be fluidly coupled to the first actuator line downstream of the implement-based valve assembly such that when a user provides a control input at a remote interface, the vehicle-based valve assembly may instead regulate the supply of hydraulic fluid to the actuator. The supply of the hydraulic fluid through the supply lines may additionally be controlled by first and second override valves fluidly coupled to the first and second supply lines, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Timothy R. Blunier, John C. Endsley
  • Publication number: 20200221628
    Abstract: A system for hydraulically leveling a multi-wing agricultural implement having a pressure regulating valve and a folding valve fluidly coupled in parallel between a supply line, configured to provide a supply pressure of hydraulic fluid, and an actuator, configured to move an outer-wing section of the implement between a transport position and a fully-extended position. Specifically, when fluid is supplied to the actuator via the pressure regulating valve, only a portion of the supply pressure is allowed through the pressure regulating valve to the actuator such that the outer-wing section may pivot towards a position where the outer-wing section is substantially level with the inner-wing section. When hydraulic fluid is supplied to the actuator via the folding valve, the outer-wing section is actuated towards the transport position. When hydraulic fluid is supplied to the actuator via the leveling valve, the outer-wing section is leveled relative to the inner-wing section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: Timothy R. Blunier, Jared Paul Schaffer
  • Publication number: 20200196513
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for remotely positioning a stabilizer wheel of a towable agricultural implement simultaneously, cooperatively and proportionally control the flow of hydraulic fluid to and from both the rod and base ends of the bore of a double-acting hydraulic cylinder, to hold the piston of the hydraulic cylinder at a target position determined from a desired position input signal corresponding to a desired position of the stabilizer wheel with respect to a frame of the agricultural implement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventors: Christopher Stovall, Kena Shah, Timothy R. Blunier
  • Publication number: 20200196512
    Abstract: A method and apparatus provide active vibration damping when remotely positioning a stabilizer wheel of a towable agricultural implement by detecting an onset of ground-induced vibration and automatically introducing a phase-shifted vibration-countering or cancelling/damping modulation pattern into a signal that simultaneously and cooperatively controls the flow of hydraulic fluid to and from both the rod and base ends of the bore of a double-acting hydraulic cylinder, to hold the piston of the hydraulic cylinder at a target position determined from a desired position input signal corresponding to a desired position of the stabilizer wheel with respect to a frame of the agricultural implement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventors: Yong Deng, Timothy R. Blunier
  • Patent number: 10648502
    Abstract: A trunnion assembly, comprising at least two pivot-engagement sides located opposite each other, each of the at least two pivot-engagement sides including an attachment hole, each attachment hole including a threaded area and a counterbore, the at least two attachment holes being generally coaxially located relative to each other; and at least one through-hole perpendicular to and midway between the two attachment holes of the pivot-engagement sides; a fastener releasably attached to each of the at least two attachment holes, the fastener including a head and an at least partially-threaded shaft, and a pivot tube disposed around each of the fasteners between the head and the attachment hole, the pivot tube including an inner diameter larger than the diameter of the shaft and an outer diameter smaller than the diameter of a circumscribed circle of the head of the fastener and smaller than the diameter of the counterbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Timothy R. Blunier, Gaylen J. Kromminga
  • Patent number: 10645856
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for remotely and individually controlling a plurality of remotely positionable stabilizer wheels of a towable agricultural implement utilize an electronic control unit that receives an input signal indicative of a desired position of the stabilizer wheel, and/or a desired depth of penetration of tillage tools operatively attached to the front and rear of the implement frame, to automatically and individually control a plurality of hydraulic positioning cylinders for individually positioning and holding the plurality of stabilizer wheel at the desired position of the stabilizer wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Stovall, Kena Shah, Timothy R. Blunier
  • Publication number: 20200120853
    Abstract: An auxiliary tool assembly for an agricultural implement is configured to support a finishing tool(s) at a location at or adjacent to the aft end of the implement. The auxiliary tool assembly includes a support arm extending lengthwise between a proximal end and a distal end, with the proximal end of the support arm being pivotally coupled to a portion of the implement at or adjacent to its aft end so that the tool assembly is pivotable relative to the implement between a work position and a transport position. In addition, the finishing tool(s) is configured to be coupled to or otherwise supported relative to the ground by the support arm at a location between its proximal and distal ends. Moreover, the auxiliary tool assembly includes one or more surface-engaging wheels coupled to the distal end of the support arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Applicant: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Michael G. Kovach, Scott R. Faust, Timothy R. Blunier, Gaylen J. Kromminga
  • Publication number: 20200068777
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for adjusting fore/aft level trim of the frame of a towed agricultural tillage implement utilize an electronic control unit that receives an input signal indicative of a desired depth of penetration of tillage tools operatively attached to the front and rear of the implement frame, and automatically computes a desired for/aft trim angle as a function of the desired depth input, and then adjusts the fore/aft trim of the implement frame by titling the frame toward the front or rear of the frame in accordance with the desired fore/aft trim angle computed from the desired depth input signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Christopher Barrick, John Endsley, Timothy R. Blunier, James W. Henry, Tracey Meiners, Klint Peterson
  • Publication number: 20200060066
    Abstract: A system for remotely controlling hydraulic component of an agricultural implement towed by a work vehicle may include a vehicle-based valve assembly that selectively supplies hydraulic fluid to one or more supply lines of the implement. Specifically, a first supply line may be fluidly coupled to an implement-based valve assembly that regulates the supply of hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic actuator through a first actuator line. A second supply line may be fluidly coupled to the first actuator line downstream of the implement-based valve assembly such that when a user provides a control input at a remote interface, the vehicle-based valve assembly may instead regulate the supply of hydraulic fluid to the actuator. The supply of the hydraulic fluid through the supply lines may additionally be controlled by first and second override valves fluidly coupled to the first and second supply lines, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Timothy R. Blunier, John C. Endsley