Patents by Inventor Zane Wesley Unrau
Zane Wesley Unrau 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).
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Publication number: 20230270039Abstract: An agricultural implement includes a longitudinally extending frame configured to be coupled to a tractor, a first elongate toolbar extending laterally outward from the frame and carrying a first row unit, a second elongate toolbar extending laterally outward the frame and carrying a second row unit, a first sensor configured to sense a position of the first row unit relative to ground, a second sensor configured to sense a position of the second row unit relative to the ground, a first actuator configured to rotate the first elongate toolbar relative to the frame based at least in part on the sensed position of the first row unit, and an actuator configured to rotate the second elongate toolbar relative to the frame based at least in part on the sensed position of the second row unit. Control systems and related methods are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2021Publication date: August 31, 2023Inventors: Benjamin Anson FANSHIER, Monte J. Rans, Ross Duerksen, Zane Wesley Unrau, Robert L. Figger
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Publication number: 20210315148Abstract: An implement includes an implement frame having an integrated elongate toolbar carrying at least one row unit, at least one wheel coupled to the implement frame and defining an axis of rotation, a sensor configured to sense a position of the at least one row unit relative to the ground, and a control system. The control system is configured to receive a signal related to the sensed position of the at least one row unit relative to the ground and cause a lift system to raise or lower a portion of the implement frame connected to the lift system to rotate the implement frame about the axis of rotation of the at least one wheel based at least in part on the signal. Control systems and related methods are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2021Publication date: October 14, 2021Inventors: Benjamin Anson FANSHIER, Monte J. Rans, Ross Duerksen, Zane Wesley Unrau, Robert L. FIGGER
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Publication number: 20210315147Abstract: A system includes a tractor comprising a lifting hitch, and an implement comprising an implement frame carried by the lifting hitch. The implement frame has an integrated elongate toolbar carrying at least one row unit. A sensor is configured to sense a position of the at least one row unit relative to the ground. A control system is configured to receive a signal related to the sensed position of the at least one row unit relative to the ground and cause the lifting hitch to raise or lower a portion of the implement frame connected to the lifting hitch relative to the tractor based at least in part on the signal. Control systems and related methods are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2021Publication date: October 14, 2021Inventors: Benjamin Anson Fanshier, Monte J. Rans, Ross Duerksen, Zane Wesley Unrau, Robert L. Figger
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Publication number: 20200077562Abstract: An implement load management method includes sensing respective loads on at least one wheel supporting a central portion and one or more wheels supporting a wing portion, the central portion and the wing portion comprising segments of an implement; and actuating a fluid-type cylinder to cause pivotal movement between the central portion and the wing portion based on the sensed loads, wherein the actuating comprises causing fluid flow in either of two opposing directions through the fluid-type cylinder based on evaluation of a load on the one or more wheels supporting the central portion and the one or more wheels supporting the wing portion. Related implement load management systems are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2019Publication date: March 12, 2020Inventors: Benjamin Anson FANSHIER, Zane Wesley UNRAU
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Patent number: 10582654Abstract: In one embodiment, an implement load balancing method comprising sensing respective loads on one or more wheels supporting a central portion and one or more wheels supporting a wing portion, the central portion and the wing portion comprising segments of an implement; and causing, via actuation of a fluid-type cylinder, pivotal movement between the central portion and the wing portion based on the sensed loads, wherein the causing comprises causing fluid flow in one direction through the fluid-type cylinder based on a load on the one or more wheels supporting the central portion being greater than a load on the one or more wheels supporting the wing portion and causing fluid flow in an opposing direction through the fluid-type cylinder based on a load on the one or more wheels supporting the central portion being less than a load on the one or more wheels supporting the wing portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2017Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: AGCO CorporationInventors: Benjamin Anson Fanshier, Zane Wesley Unrau
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Patent number: 10058034Abstract: A combine harvester is provided that separates grain material from material other than grain using multiple processing areas, including a harvesting area, a feederhouse area, a threshing area, a cleaning area, and a grain delivery area. In a location at or prior to entering one of the processing areas, the material may be collected and held until a collection threshold is reached. Once it is determined that the collection threshold is reached, the material forming a first group of material may be transported from the location to the processing area or a subsequent processing area. The first group of material is transported from the location to the processing area or the subsequent processing area substantially simultaneously and thus simulates the gathering of a large amount of crop material even when small plots are involved. In this way, reduced cycle times may be achieved, and the efficiency benefits of large-plot harvesting may be extended to small-plot applications.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2016Date of Patent: August 28, 2018Assignee: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: David L. Johnson, Matthew John Rizzo, James Reuben Schmidt, Barry Stott, Zane Wesley Unrau
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Publication number: 20180077849Abstract: In one embodiment, an implement load balancing method comprising sensing respective loads on one or more wheels supporting a central portion and one or more wheels supporting a wing portion, the central portion and the wing portion comprising segments of an implement; and causing, via actuation of a fluid-type cylinder, pivotal movement between the central portion and the wing portion based on the sensed loads, wherein the causing comprises causing fluid flow in one direction through the fluid-type cylinder based on a load on the one or more wheels supporting the central portion being greater than a load on the one or more wheels supporting the wing portion and causing fluid flow in an opposing direction through the fluid-type cylinder based on a load on the one or more wheels supporting the central portion being less than a load on the one or more wheels supporting the wing portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2017Publication date: March 22, 2018Inventors: Benjamin Anson FANSHIER, Zane Wesley UNRAU
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Publication number: 20170099773Abstract: A combine harvester is provided that separates grain material from material other than grain using multiple processing areas, including a harvesting area, a feederhouse area, a threshing area, a cleaning area, and a grain delivery area. In a location at or prior to entering one of the processing areas, the material may be collected and held until a collection threshold is reached. Once it is determined that the collection threshold is reached, the material forming a first group of material may be transported from the location to the processing area or a subsequent processing area. The first group of material is transported from the location to the processing area or the subsequent processing area substantially simultaneously and thus simulates the gathering of a large amount of crop material even when small plots are involved. In this way, reduced cycle times may be achieved, and the efficiency benefits of large-plot harvesting may be extended to small-plot applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2016Publication date: April 13, 2017Applicant: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: DAVID L. JOHNSON, MATTHEW JOHN RIZZO, JAMES REUBEN SCHMIDT, BARRY STOTT, ZANE WESLEY UNRAU
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Patent number: 9615511Abstract: A combine harvester is provided that separates grain material from material other than grain using multiple processing areas, including a harvesting area, a feederhouse area, a threshing area, a cleaning area, and a grain delivery area. In a location at or prior to entering one of the processing areas, the material may be collected and held until a collection threshold is reached. Once it is determined that the collection threshold is reached, the material forming a first group of material may be transported from the location to the processing area or a subsequent processing area. The first group of material is transported from the location to the processing area or the subsequent processing area substantially simultaneously and thus simulates the gathering of a large amount of crop material even when small plots are involved. In this way, reduced cycle times may be achieved, and the efficiency benefits of large-plot harvesting may be extended to small-plot applications.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2015Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: David L. Johnson, Matthew John Rizzo, James Reuben Schmidt, Barry Stott, Zane Wesley Unrau
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Publication number: 20150181808Abstract: A combine harvester is provided that separates grain material from material other than grain using multiple processing areas, including a harvesting area, a feederhouse area, a threshing area, a cleaning area, and a grain delivery area. In a location at or prior to entering one of the processing areas, the material may be collected and held until a collection threshold is reached. Once it is determined that the collection threshold is reached, the material forming a first group of material may be transported from the location to the processing area or a subsequent processing area. The first group of material is transported from the location to the processing area or the subsequent processing area substantially simultaneously and thus simulates the gathering of a large amount of crop material even when small plots are involved. In this way, reduced cycle times may be achieved, and the efficiency benefits of large-plot harvesting may be extended to small-plot applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2015Publication date: July 2, 2015Inventors: DAVID L. JOHNSON, MATTHEW JOHN RIZZO, JAMES REUBEN SCHMIDT, BARRY STOTT, ZANE WESLEY UNRAU
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Patent number: 9011222Abstract: A combine harvester is provided that separates grain material from material other than grain using multiple processing areas, including a harvesting area, a feederhouse area, a threshing area, a cleaning area, and a grain delivery area. In a location at or prior to entering one of the processing areas, the material may be collected and held until a collection threshold is reached. Once it is determined that the collection threshold is reached, the material forming a first group of material may be transported from the location to the processing area or a subsequent processing area. The first group of material is transported from the location to the processing area or the subsequent processing area substantially simultaneously and thus simulates the gathering of a large amount of crop material even when small plots are involved. In this way, reduced cycle times may be achieved, and the efficiency benefits of large-plot harvesting may be extended to small-plot applications.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2012Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Pioneer Hi Bred International, Inc.Inventors: David L. Johnson, Matthew John Rizzo, James Reuben Schmidt, Barry Stott, Zane Wesley Unrau
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Publication number: 20130102369Abstract: A combine harvester is provided that separates grain material from material other than grain using multiple processing areas, including a harvesting area, a feederhouse area, a threshing area, a cleaning area, and a grain delivery area. In a location at or prior to entering one of the processing areas, the material may be collected and held until a collection threshold is reached. Once it is determined that the collection threshold is reached, the material forming a first group of material may be transported from the location to the processing area or a subsequent processing area. The first group of material is transported from the location to the processing area or the subsequent processing area substantially simultaneously and thus simulates the gathering of a large amount of crop material even when small plots are involved. In this way, reduced cycle times may be achieved, and the efficiency benefits of large-plot harvesting may be extended to small-plot applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2012Publication date: April 25, 2013Applicant: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: David Johnson, Matthew John Rizzo, James Reuben Schmidt, Barry Stott, Zane Wesley Unrau