Patents by Inventor Troy C. Kolb

Troy C. Kolb 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: 12058954
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a system for automatically sensing and spraying plants and/or plant precursors as they are planted or otherwise distributed on and/or within the ground is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: Capstan Ag Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey John Grimm, Troy C. Kolb
  • Publication number: 20220046849
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a system for automatically sensing and spraying plants and/or plant precursors as they are planted or otherwise distributed on and/or within the ground is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventors: Jeffrey John Grimm, Troy C. Kolb
  • Patent number: 10925206
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a system for automatically sensing and spraying plants and/or plant precursors as they are planted or otherwise distributed on and/or within the ground is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Capstan Ag Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey John Grimm, Troy C. Kolb
  • Patent number: 10729123
    Abstract: A spraying system for spraying a fluid includes a nozzle, a valve configured to control fluid flow through the nozzle, a sensor configured to transmit a detection signal upon detection of a target, a user interface configured to receive application rate information and target population information from an operator, and a control system communicatively coupled to the user interface, the sensor, and the valve. The control system is configured to determine a specific volume of fluid per target to be dispensed by the valve based on the application rate information and the target population information input to the user interface, and to transmit a control signal to the valve at least in part in response to receiving the detection signal. The control signal actuates the valve such that the determined specific volume of fluid per target is sprayed by the nozzle on or adjacent to the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Capstan Ag Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Troy C. Kolb, Adam Madison, Tyron Johnson, Kent Dieball, Anthony Moeder
  • Patent number: 10645863
    Abstract: A system includes at least one nozzle assembly configured to spray fluid towards seeds planted within a furrow. The at least one nozzle assembly includes a valve. The system also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the valve. The controller is configured to control operation of the valve such that fluid is sprayed at least one of on or adjacent to each seed within the furrow. The system further includes a detector communicatively coupled to the controller and configured to detect a location of each spray relative to a location of a respective one of the seeds within the furrow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Capstan Ag Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey John Grimm, Troy C. Kolb
  • Patent number: 10577761
    Abstract: In one aspect, a system for applying painted surface markings to roads, parking lots, fields and/or any other suitable surfaces is disclosed. The system may include a plurality of valves and associated spray nozzles mounted onto and/or within a manifold, with each valve being individually controllable in order to regulate the flow of paint being dispensed from the spray nozzles. For instance, a controller may be coupled to each valve in order to control the opening and closing of such valve, thereby controlling the flow of paint supplied to the corresponding spray nozzle. In addition, information regarding the surface marking to be applied (the design, dimensions, orientation, geographical location, etc.) may be stored within and/or received by the controller. The controller may then control each valve such that paint is applied to the surface to be marked via the spray nozzles in a manner that creates the desired surface marking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Capstan Ag Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Grimm, Troy C. Kolb
  • Publication number: 20190124907
    Abstract: A spraying system for spraying a fluid includes a nozzle assembly configured to spray the fluid in response to receiving a control signal, a sensor configured to transmit a detection signal upon detection of a target, and a user interface configured to receive input from an operator. The spraying system further includes a control system communicatively coupled to the sensor to receive the detection signal from the sensor, the control system configured to transmit the control signal to the nozzle assembly at least in part in response to reception of the detection signal, the control system further configured to determine a fluid band length and an offset distance of the fluid band length from the target based at least in part on information input by the operator to the user interface. The user interface displays a graphic representation of the fluid band length and the offset distance relative to the target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Troy C. Kolb, Adam Madison, Tyron Johnson, Kent Dieball
  • Patent number: 10130028
    Abstract: A fluid application system includes a manifold defining an internal passageway, a plurality of nozzles connected in fluid communication with the internal passageway, a plurality of electrically actuated valves for controlling fluid flow through the plurality of nozzles, where each valve of the plurality of electrically actuated valves is connected in fluid communication between the internal passageway and a corresponding one of the plurality of nozzles, and a pressure dampener connected to the manifold and configured to dampen fluctuations in fluid pressure within the internal passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: CAPSTAN AG SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Troy C. Kolb, Adam Madison
  • Patent number: 10111415
    Abstract: A spraying system for spraying a fluid includes a nozzle assembly configured to spray the fluid in response to receiving a control signal, a sensor configured to transmit a detection signal upon detection of a target, and a user interface configured to receive input from an operator. The spraying system further includes a control system communicatively coupled to the sensor to receive the detection signal from the sensor, the control system configured to transmit the control signal to the nozzle assembly at least in part in response to reception of the detection signal, the control system further configured to determine a fluid band length and an offset distance of the fluid band length from the target based at least in part on information input by the operator to the user interface. The user interface displays a graphic representation of the fluid band length and the offset distance relative to the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: CAPSTAN AG SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Troy C. Kolb, Adam Madison, Tyron Johnson, Kent Dieball
  • Publication number: 20180177119
    Abstract: A system for providing seed-specific placement of fluid includes at least one nozzle assembly configured to spray fluid towards seeds planted within a furrow. The at least one nozzle assembly includes a valve. The system also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the valve. The controller is configured to control operation of the valve such that fluid is sprayed at least one of on or adjacent to each seed within the furrow. The system further includes a detector communicatively coupled to the controller and configured to detect a location of each spray relative to a location of a respective one of the seeds within the furrow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventors: Jeffrey John Grimm, Troy C. Kolb
  • Patent number: 9918426
    Abstract: A system includes a planter row unit, at least one nozzle assembly, and a controller. The planter row unit includes a first seed meter configured to dispense seeds into a first furrow at a seed frequency and a second seed meter configured to dispense seeds into a second furrow at the seed frequency. The nozzle assembly is configured to spray the seeds dispensed into the first and second furrows, and includes a valve. The controller is communicatively coupled to the valve, and is configured to determine the seed frequency of the first and second seed meters based on a speed-related parameter of the planter. The controller is further configured to control operation of the valve based on the seed frequency such that fluid is sprayed at least one of on or adjacent to each seed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Capstan Ag Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey John Grimm, Troy C. Kolb
  • Publication number: 20180000006
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a system for automatically sensing and spraying plants and/or plant precursors as they are planted or otherwise distributed on and/or within the ground is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Jeffrey John Grimm, Troy C. Kolb
  • Patent number: 9763381
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a system for automatically sensing and spraying plants and/or plant precursors as they are planted or otherwise distributed on and/or within the ground is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Capstan Ag System, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey John Grimm, Troy C. Kolb
  • Publication number: 20170251656
    Abstract: A spraying system for spraying a fluid includes a nozzle assembly configured to spray the fluid in response to receiving a control signal, a sensor configured to transmit a detection signal upon detection of a target, and a user interface configured to receive input from an operator. The spraying system further includes a control system communicatively coupled to the sensor to receive the detection signal from the sensor, the control system configured to transmit the control signal to the nozzle assembly at least in part in response to reception of the detection signal, the control system further configured to determine a fluid band length and an offset distance of the fluid band length from the target based at least in part on information input by the operator to the user interface. The user interface displays a graphic representation of the fluid band length and the offset distance relative to the target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: Troy C. Kolb, Adam Madison, Tyron Johnson, Kent Dieball
  • Publication number: 20170251590
    Abstract: A fluid application system includes a manifold defining an internal passageway, a plurality of nozzles connected in fluid communication with the internal passageway, a plurality of electrically actuated valves for controlling fluid flow through the plurality of nozzles, where each valve of the plurality of electrically actuated valves is connected in fluid communication between the internal passageway and a corresponding one of the plurality of nozzles, and a pressure dampener connected to the manifold and configured to dampen fluctuations in fluid pressure within the internal passageway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: Troy C. Kolb, Adam Madison
  • Publication number: 20170152637
    Abstract: In one aspect, a system for applying painted surface markings to roads, parking lots, fields and/or any other suitable surfaces is disclosed. The system may include a plurality of valves and associated spray nozzles mounted onto and/or within a manifold, with each valve being individually controllable in order to regulate the flow of paint being dispensed from the spray nozzles. For instance, a controller may be coupled to each valve in order to control the opening and closing of such valve, thereby controlling the flow of paint supplied to the corresponding spray nozzle. In addition, information regarding the surface marking to be applied (the design, dimensions, orientation, geographical location, etc.) may be stored within and/or received by the controller. The controller may then control each valve such that paint is applied to the surface to be marked via the spray nozzles in a manner that creates the desired surface marking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Grimm, Troy C. Kolb
  • Patent number: 9635848
    Abstract: Spray systems and control systems for use with spray systems are provided. A spray system generally includes a tank configured to hold a product, a conduit in fluid communication with the tank, a pump in fluid communication with the conduit, a flow controller, a plurality of electrically actuated nozzle assemblies in fluid communication with the conduit, and a pressure controller. The flow controller is configured to regulate a flow rate of product through the conduit based on a travel speed of the system. The plurality of nozzle assemblies is configured to dispense the product such that an upstream nozzle pressure is established within the conduit. The pressure controller is configured to control at least one operating parameter of at least one of the nozzle assemblies based at least in part on speed information indicative of the travel speed of the system to maintain a substantially constant upstream nozzle pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Capstan Ag Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Duane Needham, Troy C. Kolb, Gordon Hooper
  • Patent number: 9598826
    Abstract: In one aspect, a system for applying painted surface markings to roads, parking lots, fields and/or any other suitable surfaces is disclosed. The system may include a plurality of valves and associated spray nozzles mounted onto and/or within a manifold, with each valve being individually controllable in order to regulate the flow of paint being dispensed from the spray nozzles. For instance, a controller may be coupled to each valve in order to control the opening and closing of such valve, thereby controlling the flow of paint supplied to the corresponding spray nozzle. In addition, information regarding the surface marking to be applied (the design, dimensions, orientation, geographical location, etc.) may be stored within and/or received by the controller. The controller may then control each valve such that paint is applied to the surface to be marked via the spray nozzles in a manner that creates the desired surface marking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Capstan Ag Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Grimm, Troy C. Kolb
  • Publication number: 20160073576
    Abstract: A system for providing seed-specific placement of fluid as seeds are planted by a twin row planter includes a planter row unit, at least one nozzle assembly, and a controller. The planter row unit includes a first seed meter configured to dispense seeds into a first furrow at a seed frequency and a second seed meter configured to dispense seeds into a second furrow at the seed frequency. The nozzle assembly is configured to spray the seeds dispensed into the first and second furrows, and includes a valve. The controller is communicatively coupled to the valve, and is configured to determine the seed frequency of the first and second seed meters based on a speed-related parameter of the planter. The controller is further configured to control operation of the valve based on the seed frequency such that fluid is sprayed at least one of on or adjacent to each seed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: Jeffrey John Grimm, Troy C. Kolb
  • Publication number: 20160015020
    Abstract: Spray systems and control systems for use with spray systems are provided. A spray system generally includes a tank configured to hold a product, a conduit in fluid communication with the tank, a pump in fluid communication with the conduit, a flow controller, a plurality of electrically actuated nozzle assemblies in fluid communication with the conduit, and a pressure controller. The flow controller is configured to regulate a flow rate of product through the conduit based on a travel speed of the system. The plurality of nozzle assemblies is configured to dispense the product such that an upstream nozzle pressure is established within the conduit. The pressure controller is configured to control at least one operating parameter of at least one of the nozzle assemblies based at least in part on speed information indicative of the travel speed of the system to maintain a substantially constant upstream nozzle pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Duane Needham, Troy C. Kolb, Gordon Hooper