Patents Issued in May 16, 2019
  • Publication number: 20190141876
    Abstract: An agricultural tillage implement has a vertical tillage section and an aerating section behind the vertical tillage section, each extending substantially perpendicular to the pull direction of the implement. Individual vertical tillage elements, such as disc blades, can be indexed with individual rotary tine assemblies of the aerator section so that discrete holes formed by the aerator section are positioned between substantially continuous slits formed by the vertical tillage section. A ground deposit system is provided for depositing a component on the ground and may be configured for conducting and depositing a granular component, such as seeds, fertilizers, minerals or the like, or liquid components, such as liquid manure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Applicant: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventor: Martin J. Roberge
  • Publication number: 20190141877
    Abstract: An agricultural machine such as a high clearance sprayer is provided with a frame capable of supporting wheels at a variable tread width. The frame includes a first cross member and a second cross member, both of which have slider receivers formed in an outer edge of either side of the frame. The machine also includes a first axle slider for a first side and a second axle slider for a second side. Each axle slider includes a pair of axle slider legs configured to be telescopically inserted into and out of the respective slider receiver, as well as a main slider body extending between the pair of axle slider legs. The axle sliders are configured to support a pair of wheels on either side of the frame. Additionally, actuators are mounted within the cross members that enable the telescopic movement of the axle sliders relative to the cross members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Kerry J. Treinen, Blaine A. Schwalbe
  • Publication number: 20190141878
    Abstract: A swath tracking system for an off-road vehicle includes a control system with a processor and a memory. The control system is configured to receive a plurality of vehicle location points and a current vehicle state, wherein the current vehicle state comprises a current vehicle location, generate a planned vehicle path through one or more of the plurality of vehicle location points, generate a correction path from the current vehicle location to a point along the planned vehicle path ahead of the current vehicle location along a direction of travel, generate a blended path by blending the planned vehicle path and the correction path based at least in part on an assigned weight, wherein the assigned weight is based at least in part on a heading error, a distance between the current vehicle location and the planned path, or a combination thereof, and guide the off-road vehicle along the blended path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher Alan Foster, John Henry Posselius, Nathan Eric Buderson, Taylor Chad Bybee, Daniel John Morwood, Bret Todd Turpin
  • Publication number: 20190141879
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, computer program product, and a computer system for automated deployment of autonomous devices performing localized environment altering actions. A processor detects a set of weather conditions for a region, wherein the set of weather conditions includes at least temperature. A processor predicts whether the temperature will influence bodily functions of at least one organism of a plurality of organisms in the region. A processor dispatches one or more autonomous devices in response to predicting that the temperature will influence the bodily functions of the at least one organism of the plurality of organisms in the region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Michael S. Gordon, Clifford A. Pickover, Maja Vukovic
  • Publication number: 20190141880
    Abstract: The invention provides a system for sensing soil characteristics of an agricultural field, including soil variability and/or clod stability, in real time to allow rapid adjustment of an implement while traversing the field. The implement could be a planter, a fertilizer applicator or a tillage implement treating the field with ground engaging tools. The system can sense the soil characteristics, for example, by continuously transmitting acoustic energy to the field and sensing sound energy scattered back. This, in turn, can allow a continuously updated estimation of the field, such as in terms of clod size. Adjustment of the implement can include changing its speed and/or application of a seedbed attachment, such as changing a depth of the ground engaging tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Robert A. Zemenchik, Matt Huenemann
  • Publication number: 20190141881
    Abstract: A seed treatment system having a central computerized data store, a user interface, and network connections from the data store to a plurality of retail facilities and a plurality of agricultural produce suppliers. Each retail facility having a seed treatment system configured to uniformly treat batches of seeds with any of a variety of precisely measured chemical formulations. The seed treatment apparatus having a treatment applicator coupled to a plurality of dispensing stations. Each dispensing stations having a pump in fluid communication with a container disposed on a scale. The pump and scale of each dispensing station coupled to a system controller. The system controller is coupled to the data store, configured to provide on-demand agricultural seed treatments to the applicator and chemical usage data from each station to the data store. The data store configured to provide centralized remote monitoring inventory control, supply chain monitoring, and container recycling compliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Greg A. REINECCIUS, Jaco Ernest VAN DER WESTHUIZEN, Alan W. GEISS, Bradley W. MAY, Tharacad S. RAMANARAYANAN, Marc Jean-Marie ANDRIEUX
  • Publication number: 20190141882
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process for downstream processing of liquid waste fraction from mammalian, such as animal, waste. More specifically the present invention provides an improved and simplified method for downstream processing of liquid fractions of animal waste in which the nitrogen content is preserved and for inhibiting urease activity in said liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Applicant: Waste2Green, LLC
    Inventors: John Shye, Daniel Wegerif, Edward Decker, Jes Thomsen
  • Publication number: 20190141883
    Abstract: The invention provides a system that provides simple and efficient automated evaluation of plant stands that opens up tremendous potential in terms of removal, fertilization, protection, and individual plant yield estimation. The system provides automated evaluation of size and placement of plants and may be incorporated into or mounted on a post-emergent vehicle such as a spray boom as a tool that greatly benefits farmers. A farmer could detect, measure, visualize, count, characterize, calculate, estimate, assess, track, and optimize the stand throughout the growing season and even through harvest. An augmented reality visualization of the plant stands can be compared to a prescription map to allow an operator of an implement to select changes in treatment of the field as the implement traverses the field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventor: Robert A. Zemenchik
  • Publication number: 20190141884
    Abstract: A protected tread widening system for a self-propelled high clearance sprayer. The system includes a frame with side rails and a first cross member and a second cross member extending between the opposite side rails, with the cross members being substantially hollow. Each of the cross members form slider receivers. The system also includes axle slider assemblies that are telescopically inserted into the slider receivers. Additionally, actuators are mounted within the cross members. These actuators are secured to the frame and to the axle slider assemblies to allow for telescopic movement of the axle slider assemblies into and out of the cross members. The actuators run substantially through a central axis of the first cross member and a central axis of the second cross member. This minimizes the bending moment of each actuator. Additionally, this system isolates the actuators from materials outside of the cross members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Brian Pilney, Blaine A. Schwalbe
  • Publication number: 20190141885
    Abstract: A harvesting device includes a support defining an uprooting position of the harvesting device, and an uprooting section comprising at least two uprooting units, each uprooting unit having at least one uprooting element, each uprooting unit being adapted to uproot root crop. At least one of the uprooting units is mobile with respect to the support between an active position and an inactive position, the active position being a position in which the uprooting unit is able to uproot beet crop in a field having a field surface when the harvesting device is in the uprooting position, the inactive position being a position in which the uprooting unit is unable to uproot beet crop in the field when the harvesting device is in the uprooting position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Michael GALLMEIER, Bernhard FUCHS
  • Publication number: 20190141886
    Abstract: An autonomous mower including a housing; a mowing module, a traveling module, an information collection device, an energy module, a control module and the control module includes an identification unit, and an alarm module. The autonomous mower has a security patrol working mode in which the identification unit analyzes and judges whether an abnormal object exists in the working area according to the information collected by the information collection device; if the abnormal object exists, the control module controls the alarm module to send an alarm signal to the outside. Therefore, the autonomous mower can achieve a security patrol function in addition to having a function of trimming the lawn. The autonomous mower has multiple uses, so as to save the cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Fangshi Liu, Yong Shao, Xiahong Zha, Jiaofeng Tian
  • Publication number: 20190141887
    Abstract: A work vehicle for managing lawn while traveling incudes a positioning module for outputting positioning data, a self-vehicle position calculation section for calculating a self-vehicle position based on the positioning data, an activity determination device for determining activity of the lawn, and a lawn condition information generation section configured to generate lawn condition information by correlating the activity with the self-vehicle position as a determination point of the activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Kazuaki Matsuda, Katsuhiko Uemura
  • Publication number: 20190141888
    Abstract: A method of mowing multiple areas includes training a robotic mower to mow at least two areas separated by a space, including moving the robotic mower about the areas while storing data indicative of location of boundaries of each area relative to boundary markers, training the robotic mower to move across the space separating the areas, and initiating a mowing operation. Training the robotic mower to move across the space separating the areas includes moving the robotic mower to a traversal launch point of a first of the areas and moving the robotic mower to a traversal landing point of a second of the areas. The mowing operation causes the robotic mower to move to the traversal launch point, move from the traversal launch point across the space to the traversal landing point, and then mow the second of the areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Paul C. Balutis, Andrew Beaulieu, Brian Yamauchi
  • Publication number: 20190141889
    Abstract: A riding lawn care vehicle (10, 310) may include a frame (30, 330), an engine (340, 40), a steering assembly, a support platform (20, 30, 320) and a front platform (348, 48). At least a pair of drive wheels may be operably coupled to the frame (30, 330). The engine (340, 40) is operably coupled to the frame (30, 330) via an engine platform (342, 42). The engine (340, 40) is disposed substantially between the drive wheels to selectively provide drive power to the drive wheels via respective hydraulic pumps (346, 46). The steering assembly includes control levers (50) operably coupled to respective ones of the drive wheels via the respective hydraulic pumps (346, 46). The steering assembly enables steering of the riding lawn care vehicle (10, 310) based on drive speed control of the drive wheels responsive to positioning of the control levers (50).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Applicant: HUSQVARNA AB
    Inventors: Corey Fisher, Brian Downing, Joshua Lawrence, Timothy Wicker, Juan Plasencia, Darren Chandler, Jordan Craven, Travis Lyons, Rick Nelson, Braxton Reese, Juan Rodriguez, Jerry Sandy, Eric Tse, Chris Russell, Steven Benedict, Jake Bagwell
  • Publication number: 20190141890
    Abstract: A plant sawing assembly for removing plants around a sprinkler head includes a hole saw that may be positioned around a sprinkler head to remove plants growing around the sprinkler head. A receiver extends upwardly from the hole saw and a shaft is removably positioned in the receiver. The shaft is coupled to a power tool thereby facilitating the power tool to spin the hole saw to cut the plants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Arthur M. Craig, Donna G. Craig
  • Publication number: 20190141891
    Abstract: A system for adjusting the flow orientation of an air flow exhausted at a flow exit location defined along an exterior of an agricultural harvester. The harvester includes an engine upstream of the flow exit location. The system includes a harvester body extending around at least a portion of the exterior of the harvester and defining an opening at the flow exit location; a louvered panel positioned within the opening, the louvered panel including a plurality of louvers each pivotable about a respective pivot axis; and an actuator coupled to the louvers and configured to actuate the louvers such that each louver pivots to adjust a tilt angle of the louver. The air flow is directed through the louvered panel after flowing past the engine and is exhausted from the harvester at a flow angle corresponding to the tilt angle of each of the plurality of louvers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Scott Woytera, Brian Scheuring
  • Publication number: 20190141892
    Abstract: An agricultural combine has an electrostatic grain cleaner for additionally cleaning grain that has been harvested and cleaned by the agricultural combine, stored in a grain tank and conveyed through an unloading conveyor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Kamalakannan Natarajan, Karthikeyan Narayanan, Anupam Mukhopadhyay
  • Publication number: 20190141893
    Abstract: A sensor assembly for attachment underneath a screen of a combine harvester is provided with a plurality of sensor units having sensor elements, a plurality of which sensor units are arranged one behind the other within a hollow profile which extends in the longitudinal direction of the screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Nathan R. Vandike, Volker Fuchs, Hans W. Schaeffer, Wentao W. Yu, Stephan Kirstein, Sebastian Müller, Thomas Herlitzius, Christian Korn
  • Publication number: 20190141894
    Abstract: A crop gathering belt includes a gathering belt carcass and a plurality of attachable lugs for connecting to the gathering belt carcass on a first side of the gathering belt carcass, and a system for securely attaching the lugs of the plurality of lugs, to the gathering belt carcass. The gathering belt carcass further includes a plurality of drive lugs disposed on a side opposite the first side of the gathering belt carcass. The crop gathering belt may be useful as a corn gathering belt. In some cases, the gathering belt carcass and the plurality of attachable lugs are formed of like rubber materials, while in some other cases, the gathering belt carcass and the plurality of attachable lugs are formed of dissimilar rubber materials. In yet other cases, the gathering belt carcass is formed of a rubber material, and the plurality of attachable lugs formed of a polyurethane material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Frank Feuerborn, Mike Janne
  • Publication number: 20190141895
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of producing particular metabolites of interest by engineered crop plants such as transgenic crop plants. Provided are methods that are easily applicable by farmers to determine -hen the metabolites of interest hake reached an optimal content in the plant. These methods also help to facilitate decisions about the timeframe for preparing harvest or harvesting the engineered crop plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Carl Andre, Anthony J. Cavender
  • Publication number: 20190141896
    Abstract: A support frame; a cut and lift mechanism coupled to the support frame; a tool carrying platform coupled to the cut and lift mechanism; an outer leaf removal device coupled to the tool carrying platform; a cutting tool coupled to the tool carrying platform; a controller in data communication with the cut and lift robot; and a plant center locator in data communication with the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Michael Anthony D'Arrigo, Anthony Dejesus Sandoval, Hector Amando Camacho Garcia, Peter Frits de Groot
  • Publication number: 20190141897
    Abstract: An attachment for a tractor is disclosed, the attachment includes a rotary reducing component that includes a plurality of cutters and a hydraulic system having an activated state and a deactivated state. The hydraulic system includes an inlet for receiving hydraulic fluid and an outlet for discharging hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic system also includes a hydraulic motor positioned between the inlet and the outlet. The hydraulic motor is mechanically coupled to the rotary reducing component. The hydraulic system includes a first sensor positioned at the inlet of the hydraulic system for sensing parameters representative of the activated or deactivated states of the hydraulic system. The hydraulic system also includes a selectively operable hydraulic brake positioned at the outlet of the hydraulic system. The hydraulic brake is configured to control the rotation of the rotary reducing component when triggered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Applicant: VERMEER MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventor: Stephen DAINING
  • Publication number: 20190141898
    Abstract: A hydrostatic transaxle includes: a casing that is provided with an openable and closable filter insertion port and is filled with hydraulic oil; a hydraulic continuously variable transmission that is arranged inside the casing; a filter holding member that includes a support base that is a hollow cylindrical portion and oil-tightly partitions an inside of a cylinder and an outside of the cylinder, and a filter connection port that is a hollow cylindrical portion extending from a peripheral side surface of the support base and communicating with the inside of the cylinder, the support base communicating the inside of the cylinder to the port, and arranged between the center section and the casing facing the port; and a filter body that is freely inserted to and removed from the casing via the filter insertion port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Toshifumi Yasuda, Hiroshi Sugimoto, Daisuke Murashima, Masaru Iida, Koji Iwaki
  • Publication number: 20190141899
    Abstract: An agricultural cart for transporting different particulate materials includes a transport container a row of hoppers for containing agricultural product such as harvested grain to be carried away from the field and seed and fertilizer for filling a seeder during seeding. The cart includes a transport tube with across a bottom of the hoppers and a discharge tube extending upwardly and outwardly to one side, each including an auger flight. An air blower is mounted on a front end of the cart for generating a stream of air and a nozzle mounted on the cart and arranged to direct the stream of air into the cart and particularly into the transport tubes toward the discharge end to clean them out. The transport tube includes inlet doors which can be closed and there is provide a closure gate between the transport tube and the discharge tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Stuart Douglas Winsnes, Andrew Lodge, Cory Cooley
  • Publication number: 20190141900
    Abstract: Heart of palm may be harvested from palm trees as a source of food. The core of a heart of palm heart is more desirable than the base of the palm heart due to its more favorable characteristics, resulting in under-utilization and waste of the base. The base and core may be processed in ways that advantageously utilize the base and overcome differences in density and inherent taste properties between the two sections. In an example, the base is treated with a cleaning solution and pieces are formed from the base. In this example, the pieces are immersed in an acid solution and packaged in an oxygen-impermeable packaging medium. The resulting heart of palm base pieces have favorable taste and mouthfeel and the pieces derived from the base are indistinguishable from pieces derived from the core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Dennis BYRNE, Marcio BASSO, Marco BASSO, Michael BYRNE
  • Publication number: 20190141901
    Abstract: A module wrapping assembly for a module builder having a first roller rotationally coupled to the module builder about a first axis, a bracket pivotally coupled to the module builder about a bracket axis, and a second roller rotationally coupled to the bracket about a second axis. Wherein, the second axis is offset from the bracket axis. Further wherein, the bracket is pivotable about the bracket axis to reposition the second axis relative to the first axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Ryan A. Hackert, Kevin J. Goering, Jeffrey S. Wigdahl
  • Publication number: 20190141902
    Abstract: Methods of positioning a protective sheet over a stack of goods comprise: engaging a lifting device to lift a first elongate member adjacent to a first side of the stack; projecting a positioning strap from a positioning strap projector, such that the positioning strap passes over a top of the stack and down a second side of the stack; securing the positioning strap and disengaging the first elongate member so that the sheet is free of the lifting device; applying tension to the positioning strap to pull the first elongate member across the top of the stack towards the second side of the stack whilst also lifting a second elongate member up the first side of the stack; and once the sheet is in place over the stack, securing the securing strap to a respective location at or near a base of the first and second sides of the stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventor: Patrick John Reed
  • Publication number: 20190141903
    Abstract: A CA system includes a gas supply device which performs a gas supply operation of supplying nitrogen-enriched air into a container, and a controller which performs the gas supply operation so that the inside air has a desired composition. The controller performs carbon dioxide priority control in which the controller performs the gas supply operation if an oxygen concentration of the inside air is equal to or higher than a ceiling concentration higher than a target oxygen concentration, stops the gas supply operation if a carbon dioxide concentration of the inside air is lowered to a critical concentration lower than a target carbon dioxide concentration, and restarts the gas supply operation if the carbon dioxide concentration of the inside air has reached a restart concentration higher than the target carbon dioxide concentration through breathing of the plants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Applicant: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Maho TAKAYAMA, Noritaka KAMEI, Yuusuke FUJIMOTO, Masataka NAKANO
  • Publication number: 20190141904
    Abstract: A flail assembly for a straw chopper shaft including: a bolt element passing through the mounting hole of the bracket, an anti-rotation element supporting the bolt element on the bracket against rotation, a first flail having a bore and being seated on the bolt element with said bore, a first fastening element connected to a first free end portion of the bolt element, and a first washer having a bore with which the first washer is seated on the bolt element. The first washer is between the first fastening element and the first flail, and is radially slotted. The bolt element is axially braced with the first fastening element relative to the longitudinal axis of the bolt element and a smallest cylindrical envelope of the first fastening element coaxial with a longitudinal axis of the bolt element has a smaller radius than the bore of the first flail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Applicant: Rasspe Systemtechnik Gmbh
    Inventors: Michael FLANHARDT, Andreas ACIMAS, Hans-Robert LÃœTTICH, Katharina ANDERS
  • Publication number: 20190141905
    Abstract: [Object] To suppress the variations in the growth of cultivation products to perform stable production, and reduce the power cost for applying artificial light. [Solving Means] A hydroponic cultivation system includes a hydroponic cultivation unit, a daylighting apparatus, an artificial light application apparatus, a daylighting sensor, and a control apparatus. The hydroponic cultivation unit includes a seedbed, a seedling of a plant to be cultivated being transplanted to the seedbed. The daylighting apparatus takes natural light through a daylighting port into a light emitting surface facing the seedbed, and emits the light from the light emitting surface toward the seedling. The artificial light application apparatus applies artificial light to the seedling. The daylighting sensor is provided at a position apart from the seedbed, and detects a light amount of the natural light emitted from the light emitting surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: JUN AGARI, MARI NISHI, AKANE ITO, YASUHIRO DOMOTO, KATSUYA MIYAKE, KIYOSHI IWATANI
  • Publication number: 20190141906
    Abstract: A plant cultivating container includes an outer cup, an inner cup received in the outer cup, wherein the inner cup is provided for cultivating plant(s). A floating plate is movably disposed between the bottoms of the outer cup and the inner cup and a follower is mounted to the floating plate, wherein the floating plate is reciprocally moved relative to the outer due to a water level in the outer cup. At least one window is defined in the outer cup and the follower is formed with a shutter, wherein a relative action is formed between the shutter and the at least one window for providing a continual visual effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventor: Pin-Hsien YU
  • Publication number: 20190141907
    Abstract: A planter includes a concave container and a separate rim, both formed from a thermoplastic material. The container has a brim extending radially outward from an upper portion of the container. A vertical wall extends upward from the brim. The rim has a top wall with outer and inner side walls extending downward from its edges. The upper surface of the brim of the container comprises a stop inward of the vertical wall such that when the rim is advanced onto the upper end of the container, a lower portion of the inner rim wall confronts the stop to inhibit further advancement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventor: Kenneth A. HARBAUGH
  • Publication number: 20190141908
    Abstract: A device for use within a plant pot with at least one vertically-oriented drainage opening in its base, which facilitates the drainage of excess water from the plant pot while mitigating the loss of growing medium through the drainage opening. The plant pot drainer comprises at least two concentric tiers of structural members having a plurality of horizontally-oriented openings, and an upper body, which is fixed atop the structural members. The horizontally-oriented openings between the structural members are configured to be radially staggered relative to the horizontally-oriented openings of the immediately adjacent tiers of structural members. The radially staggered configuration causes the space between the tiers of structural members to become partially obstructed by growing medium, which impedes the passage of additional growing medium while allowing water to continue to flow and ultimately exit the plant pot through the drainage opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventor: Timothy Michael Moore
  • Publication number: 20190141909
    Abstract: Provided herein is a method for sowing an individual seed in a seed location and to a seeder therefor. The method includes arranging a seed on a surface adjacent to an opening that leads to a guide channel that extends to the seed location; flushing the seed from the surface into the opening by directing a fluid over the surface in the direction of the opening; and guiding the seed to a seed location by means of the guide channel. The seeder has at least one opening that leads to a guide channel that extends to a seed location; a surface that is configured to be arranged adjacent to the at least one opening; and a selectively operable fluid supply for each opening, each fluid supply having at least one nozzle that is arranged for directing fluid over the surface in the direction of the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Meindert Willem Klooster, Jan Pieter Poppe, Peter Leo Kok
  • Publication number: 20190141910
    Abstract: The present invention provides an architecture for performing vertical farming. The embodiments of the present invention disclose an arrangement of a plurality of reflective surfaces to maximize the amount of most beneficial natural light that can be gathered. The pluralities of reflective surfaces are arranged strategically in the polygonal architecture to direct the available natural light to the furthest reach of the growing area. Additionally, the architecture provides spiral arrangement of one or more growing panels where each growing panel is at predetermined height from the preceding growing panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventor: Lawrence Marek
  • Publication number: 20190141911
    Abstract: An air heating cooling and dehumidification device for maintaining room air at a desired humidity and temperature includes an air to air cross flow heat exchanger (105) formed with cross flow first and second air flow paths (A) and (B), a primary air to liquid heat exchanger (110) in fluid communication with a liquid cooling fluid source (150) for dehumidifying air flow and a secondary air to liquid heat exchanger (115) for reheating the air flow after dehumidification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Ken Nguyen, Ming Zhang
  • Publication number: 20190141912
    Abstract: A rover includes a base having wheels and a propulsion system coupled to the wheels to propel the rover around a field. A tower is coupled to the base and extends over the base. Sensors are set on the tower and the base and are configured to sense environmental conditions around the rover at different elevations. A computing system includes a processor and memory. The memory is configured to receive measured data from the sensors and determine an amount and manner of water to be dispensed on plant life in the field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Sergio A. Bermudez Rodriguez, Levente Klein, Alejandro G. Schrott, Theodore G. van Kessel
  • Publication number: 20190141913
    Abstract: A leaf removal apparatus designed to safely and efficiently remove leaves, twigs and other debris from lawns. When pushed independently or mounted flush with the front facing blade of a lightweight snow shovel, long pole, or other long pole tool, the apparatus can be used by a person walking behind the device and pushing it in a snow plowing motion eliminating the need for raking and saving time. It may be formed of cardboard, plastic, lightweight metal, screen or other appropriate material. This apparatus is a one-piece device comprised of a flat or pouched gathering area with each side curved or folded inward to hold in the leaves and other yard waste. The apparatus may be attached to the long pole device, most appropriately to a snow shovel, with slots, brackets, tape, hooks, Velco, clips, straps, ties or other suitable attachment methods. The apparatus may be varying height and width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventor: Martha E. Carlton
  • Publication number: 20190141914
    Abstract: A method for monitoring movement of disease across agricultural areas of interest including providing, using one or more processors and one or more data storage devices, a virtual zone generator and disease movement monitor, defining, using the virtual zone generator, a plurality a virtual zones, each virtual zone corresponding to an agricultural geographic area of interest and identifying a location for the agricultural geographic area of interest, receiving a plurality of raw-data sets from a plurality of tracking devices, each tracking device corresponding to a vector or fomite that has the potential to carry a disease detrimental to agriculture, each raw data set corresponding to a tracking device and comprising an identification code identifying the tracking device, a timestamp corresponding to the time the raw data was generated by the tracking device, and location information for the tracking device, and generating disease movement data, using the disease movement monitor, by correlating the raw data s
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Timothy NELSON, Joel Roberto SOTOMAYOR
  • Publication number: 20190141915
    Abstract: A platform may receive raw data from a remote system and may then applies various forms of analysis to convert the raw data into parameters of interest in a garden. These parameters include but are not limited to soil moisture, soil salinity, air temperature, soil temperature, and pH. The platform enables inexpensive and simple sensors to be deployed in the garden. The platform may also use other data, such as the data from a weather service, to predict actions that should be taken in the garden to provide optimal growing conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Applicant: GroGuru, Inc.
    Inventor: Farooq A. Anjum
  • Publication number: 20190141916
    Abstract: A portable device for irrigating the roots of plants has a handle, a stem, and a removable base supporting removable spikes. The stem of the device is adapted for connection to a hose. The spikes each have openings for delivering water. The device has an on/off switch, which may be manually operated or electronically operated. The device is configured to optionally allow the flow of another substance into the stem of the rake, such as plant food.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Chantal B. Auguste, Marc B. Auguste, Brenda Pomerance
  • Publication number: 20190141917
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatuses for irrigating soils and crops are described. The irrigation system may include a center pivot irrigation system and at least one irrigation apparatus. The irrigation apparatus may include at least one side frame, at least one back frame, at least one boom assembly, at least one means for enabling the apparatus to move, and/or at least one means for configuring the apparatus to the center pivot irrigation system. The disclosure may reduce and/or eliminate rut formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Applicant: PIVOT PUP IRRIGATION, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce C. Mortensen, Norman Delton Hansen, Ivan Hugh McCracken, II
  • Publication number: 20190141918
    Abstract: An irrigation control system having an irrigation controller with a unique identifier and configured to execute irrigation schedules, collect, store and forward watering metrics and determine global time, together with a power source, a global time receiver in communication with the microcontroller and configured to provide time from an outside source to the microcontroller and a transceiver in communication with the microcontroller configured to send messages including its unique identifier, predefined irrigation schedules, stored watering metrics and current global time. The system further includes a mobile computer having a microprocessor, a wireless transceiver configured to receive the messages from the irrigation controller transceiver and transmit instructions to the irrigation controller via a communication link and a memory coupled to the microprocessor and configured to store predefined irrigation schedules, and watering metrics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Mark A. Bauman, Graham L. Hutchinson, Travis A. Griggs, Meade M. Neal
  • Publication number: 20190141919
    Abstract: Various arrangements for visual control of a network-enabled irrigation system are presented. In some embodiments, a video stream of an outdoor location that can include a lawn may be captured. The video stream of the outdoor location may be transmitted to a cloud-based irrigation management server system. The lawn may be monitored for a period of time using the video stream. Based on monitoring the lawn for the period of time, a visual change in a state of the lawn may be identified. Based on the visual change in the state of the lawn, an adjustment of an irrigation program of the network-enabled irrigation system may be determined. An irrigation control message may be transmitted to the network-enabled irrigation system that alters an irrigation schedule for the lawn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Applicant: Google LLC
    Inventors: Deepak Kundra, John Nold, James Stewart, Ankit Mohan, Leon Tan
  • Publication number: 20190141920
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide an interface unit interfacing with an irrigation controller, comprising: a housing; a controller configured to instruct an interruption of a watering schedule executed by the irrigation controller, the interruption based on one or both of sensed temperature and sensed rainfall amount, and based on one or both of user entered temperature and rainfall threshold parameters; a switching device coupled with the controller, and configured to cause the interruption in response to signaling from the controller; and a user interface comprising: a plurality of user input devices configured to provide signaling to the controller based upon user's engagement, and configured to allow the user to define the temperature and rainfall threshold parameters; and a user display comprising a display screen; wherein the controller is configured to cause the display screen to display a plurality of pictorial representations that in combination convey whether irrigation is being interrupted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: David M. Redmond, Michael J. Tennyson, Randall A. Hern, Gerald E. Peterson, David G. Fern
  • Publication number: 20190141921
    Abstract: A vertical agriculture apparatus is provided, including a drive mechanism, chain tensioning mechanism, connection assembly for connecting trays to a roller chain, tray assemblies, tray hangers, and a watering system. The watering system includes seal members attached to a spring-biased moveable member that is actuated by a surface attached to a tray. The connection assembly includes a connector member defining an inner aperture for receiving pins of a roller chain and an outer aperture for receiving a bolt or rod passing through a tray aperture. The apparatus has a tray that is supported on first and second vertical loops at positions that are spaced apart in two perpendicular horizontal directions. Water is added to the trays on a downward leg of the vertical loop to drive travel of the vertical loop or augment a drive mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Timothy Patrick Tempany, William Thomas TEMPANY
  • Publication number: 20190141922
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a high growth, high density, closed environment growing system and methods thereof. A method of accelerating plant cell growth in a growing system may include adjusting the lighting in accordance with an identified plant growth stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventor: James G. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20190141923
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for a hydroponics system with enhanced heat transfer are presented herein. By arranging the flow hydroponics system to have a series flow pattern via tubes and hydroponic pans, heat may be transferred from heat producing elements. The heat producing elements, including light emitting diodes (LEDs), may be thermally attached to the pans. The recycled heat can be transferred to the series circulating water supply for providing nutrient rich minerals at the roots of plants. Additionally, the heat can be transferred via the pans and without the need for costly fans or specialized heat sinks. In this way more space can be availed for the production of plants while recycling energy in the form of transferred heat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventor: James S. RAY, JR.
  • Publication number: 20190141924
    Abstract: This invention discloses an innovative budgetary process on how to turn green cells of Haematococcus pluvialis into red cysts that contain the astaxanthin of the highest rate. With this finding, green motile cells are converted into dormant red cysts via addition of resting cysts into the culture with green cells. Transformation of green cells of Haematococcus pluvialis into red dormant cells with this invented method can be achieved without need of high-intensity light. Light intensity can be reduced for up 15 times to approach the similar results within the same time-period. The least concentration of 1% of red cysts to green culture supports the economically most approved run. Shaking of the cultures of green cells with added red cysts stimulates the transformation process. Inoculation of higher concentration of red cysts into green culture of Haematococcus pluvialis shorten the period of greens conversion into a biomass, enriched with astaxanthin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventor: Arevik Minasyan
  • Publication number: 20190141925
    Abstract: Method of sequestration of carbon dioxide characterized in that it comprises: a step of production of at least one macrophyte plant species floating on an expanse of fresh water in order to form a raft of plant biomass; a step of transportation of said raft of plant biomass from said expanse of fresh water to a sea; a step of dispersal and decomposition of said raft of plant biomass on an expanse of said sea; at least one of said step of production, said step of transportation and said step of dispersal and decomposition being carried out with human assistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventor: Thomas LE BERRE