Agco Corporation

Iowa State University Research Foundation Inc

Jeffrey Michael Zimmerman

John Peterson

Justin Bak

Mark Ronald Wohlhuter

Mark Aron Crowley

H Mark Hanna

Joshua Aaron Rasa

Mark Jon Drenth

Alexander Quentin Susko

Matthew Schramm

Mark Aton Crowley

Technologies for guiding an agricultural vehicle through crop rows using a camera and signal processing to locate the crop row or centers of the crop row. The signal processing uses a filter to filter data from images captured by the camera and locates the row or the centers based on the filtered data. The filter is generated based on a signal processing transform and an initial image of the crop row captured by the camera. The filter is applied to subsequent images of the crop row captured by the camera. In some embodiments, the camera includes one lens. For example, monocular computer vision is used in some embodiments. Also, in some embodiments, a central processing unit generates the filter based on the transform and the initial image of the crop row and applies the generated filter to the subsequent images of the row.

Crop row guidance systems

An agricultural applicator machine has a frame and at least one horizontally extending boom assembly. The boom assembly pivots to a folded position in which it is secured in a boom-cradle mechanism. The boom-cradle mechanism includes a crossmember and a boom rest at an outer end of the crossmember, the boom rest having a rigid inboard boom stop, a rigid outboard boom stop, and a saddle portion. The inboard boom stop extends from the saddle portion in an out-of-phase configuration relative the outboard boom stop. The boom-cradle mechanism has a locking assembly having an actuator assembly configured to rotate the crossmember, and thus the cradle boom rest. The actuator assembly connects to the crossmember through a linkage assembly. The actuator assembly causes the crossmember to rotate causing the boom rest to move between an open position and a locked position.

Rotating boom cradle mechanism for agricultural applicator

A motor shaft assembly includes a first shaft, a first motor, a second shaft and a second motor. The first shaft has a first end and a second end. The first motor is attached to the first end of the first shaft and is configured to rotate the first shaft about a longitudinal axis. The first shaft and the first motor have a longitudinal bore. The second shaft has a first end and a second end, wherein a portion of the second shaft is positioned in the longitudinal bore. The second motor is attached to the first end of the second shaft and is configured to rotate the second shaft about the longitudinal axis. A conveyor assembly includes a first shaft, sprocket, motor, and conveyor, and a second shaft, sprocket, motor and conveyor. An agricultural apparatus includes a tank, a boom, conveyors and motors.

Shaft for side-by-side conveyor

A system and method for predicting a future wind direction and speed and, based thereon, determining a future wind-driven drift and providing the information to an operator or automatically acting to adapt application parameters to better control the wind-driven drift of a fluid during application of the fluid to land or crops by an agricultural machine. A processor receives machine and meteorological data, uses a model to predict the future wind direction and speed, and accesses a drift distance database to determine and visually depict the future wind-driven drift of the fluid. A sensitive area database stores information about sensitive areas bordering the target area, which may also be displayed, to facilitate controlling the wind-driven drift with regard to the sensitive areas. The mathematical model may be a kernel filter, an autoregressive model, an autoregressive integrated moving average model, or a hybrid model which incorporates features of different models.

System and method for predicting wind direction and speed to better control drift

An apparatus includes a shaft, a first barrel, and a second barrel. The shaft has a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis of rotation. The first barrel surrounds a first portion of the shaft and is fixed to the shaft to rotate therewith. The second barrel surrounds a second portion of the shaft and is configured to rotate about the axis independent of a rotation of the shaft.

Roller for side-by-side conveyor

An assembly includes first and second shafts and first and second sprockets. The first shaft has a first and second ends and a first longitudinal axis of rotation. The first sprocket is attached to the first shaft proximate the first end of the first shaft. The first sprocket rotates with the first shaft. The second shaft is spaced from the first shaft by a distance, the second shaft having a first end spaced from the first end of the first shaft by the distance, a second end spaced from the second end of the first shaft by the distance, and a second longitudinal axis of rotation substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis of rotation. The second sprocket is attached to the second shaft proximate the second end of the second shaft. The second sprocket rotates with the second shaft. The distance is adjustable.

Take-up bearing for side-by-side conveyor

A controlled droplet applicator (CDA) system comprising a CDA nozzle cup having an open end; a shroud covering all but a portion of the open end; and an air assist device disposed proximal to the open end, the cup and the air assist device separated by at least a portion of the shroud.

Air assistance and drift reduction technology for controlled droplet applicator

A controlled droplet application (CDA) nozzle has a CDA nozzle cone having a first axis of rotation in a first position and, after adjustment, a second axis of rotation in a second position orthogonal to the first. A rotationally adjustable directional shroud surrounds at least a portion of the cone, the directional shroud blocking at least a portion of a lip of the cone regardless of whether the cone is positioned in the first or second axis of rotation.

Growing community of inventors

Lake Park, IA, United States of America

Jeffrey Michael Zimmerman