Dickey-john Corporation

Access Business Group International LLC

Bunn-o-matic Corporation

Cap Corporation

Philips IP Ventures B.v.

A.o. Smith Harvestore, Inc.

Wesley J Bachman

John James Lord

David W Baarman

Nathan P Stien

Steven G Stone

Joshua B Taylor

Joshua K Schwannecke

William T Stoner, Jr

Sean T Eurich

George H Fathauer

Richard J Weber

Robert C Funk

David M Beams

Edmund J Gorsek

John T Knepler

Shawn Lord

Kristen J Zellers

An inductive power supply system includes a non-contact power supply for energizing a device. The inductive power supply system includes a communication system for enabling communication between a device and the system. The device transmits an identifier to the system. If the device does not have a transmitter, the system attempts to determine the type of device from a characterization of the power consumption by the device. If the device cannot be characterized, the inductive power supply system can be operated manually.

System and method for device identification

A charging system for an electric vehicle that assists in aligning a primary charging coil and a secondary coil. The system may include a wheel chock that raises the primary coil into alignment with the secondary coil when a tire enters the wheel chock. The system may include a primary that is recessed below the surface supporting the vehicle and is protected by a cover. The secondary coil may be protected and supported by a skid plate mounted to the vehicle. The system may include a charging circuit that is controlled by signals transmitted by a garage door opener transmitter or a garage door opener. The system may include sensors that detect the presence of an animal or object in the space between the primary coil and the secondary coil.

Inductive charging system for electric vehicle

A power supply to provide electrical power to one or more loads. The power supply may include a resonant air core transformer to provide an adjustable and adaptable source of power to electronic devices. The power supply may include isolated primary-side circuitry and secondary-side circuitry. The primary-side circuitry may include control circuitry that, among other things, provides drive waveforms for the primary-side switching circuitry. In embodiments configured to produce AC output, the secondary-side circuitry may also include switching circuitry. The primary-side control circuitry may provide drive waveforms for the secondary-side switching circuitry. The secondary-side circuitry may include measurement circuitry that measures the current and/or voltage of the output and provides those measurements to the control circuitry through isolation circuitry. The control circuitry may adjust the drive waveforms for the primary-side and/or secondary-side switching circuitry as a function of the measured values.

Power supply

An inductively powered gas discharge lamp including both a power coil and a heating coils associated with each filament. The heating coils enable the filaments to be preheated before the starting voltage is applied through the power coils. The inductive power coils and the inductive heater coils are contained within the lamp envelope, allowing the lamp to be entirely sealed. A method of dimming the lamp also is disclosed. The lamp is dimmed by both decreasing the power applied to the power coils and increasing the power applied to the heating coils so as to prevent the arc from extinguishing under lower voltage conditions.

Inductively powered gas discharge lamp

A power supply for inductively powering a remote device has an inverter operating at an operating frequency and a primary coil. A phase comparator compares the phase of the voltage or current delivered by the power supply. If the phase relationship detected by the comparator is unacceptable, the inverter is disabled. After a period of time, the inverter is re-enabled, and the phase relationship is again determined.

System and method for powering a load

A food preparation system includes a non-contact power supply for energizing a cooking appliance. The food preparation system includes a communication system for enabling communication between a food appliance and the system. The appliance transmits an identifier to the system. If the appliance does not have a transmitter, the system attempts to determine the type of appliance from a characterization of the power consumption by the appliance. If the appliance cannot be characterized, the food preparation system can be operated manually.

Food preparation system with inductive power

The present invention envisions a water temperature processing system for reducing the temperature of water to a temperature of as low as 35 degrees fahrenheit. The present invention also envisions a water heating system as an element of the water temperature processing system for elevating the temperature of water to a temperature of 80-210 degrees fahrenheit. The water temperature processing system includes a warm water flow path and a cool water flow path. A warm water pump and a cool water pump are operatively associated with the respective warm water and cool water flow paths to move the water through the respective flow paths. The cool water flow path includes at least one outlet for dispensing water from the cooling system. The system includes at least one warm water and one cool water heat transfer section which communicates with the warm water and the cool water flow paths, respectively. Peltier heat transfer devices are positioned between the warm water and the cool water heat transfer sections. Operation of the Peltier device results in transference of energy from one water flow path to the other water flow path. Heat energy accumulated by the one of the water flow paths is dissipated or collected by the other of the flow paths.

Solid state liquid temperature processor

A liquid flow rate detector adapted for detecting whether a rate of flow for liquid flowing through a conduit is above or below a generally predetermined liquid flow rate, and for developing different control signals in response to detecting flow rates above and below that generally predetermined liquid flow rate. The detector includes first and second thermally conductive liquid contact members supported for contact with the flowing liquid; and electric circuitry that detects the ambient temperature of the flowing liquid through the first probe, supplies a limited amount of heat in an attempt to heat the second liquid contact member to a threshold temperature above that ambient temperature, detects the temperature of said second liquid contact member, generates a first control signal when the temperature of the second liquid contact member is at least at the threshold temperature to detect a liquid flow rate below the predetermined liquid flow rate at which the flowing liquid is not capable of cooling the second liquid contact member below the threshold temperature, and generates a second signal when the temperature of the second liquid contact member is maintained below the threshold temperature to detect a liquid flow rate above the predetermined liquid flow rate at which the flowing liquid is capable of cooling the second liquid contact member below the threshold temperature.

Liquid flow rate detector

An injection mixing apparatus is provided for use with a spraying system carried on a mobile vehicle of the type including a spray bar, a carrier reservoir for holding a supply of a liquid carrier medium, a main pump interposed between the carrier reservoir and the spray bar, a flow control valve interposed between the main pump and the spray bar, a ground speed sensor for developing a ground speed signal corresponding to the speed of the vehicle, a pressure sensor for sensing the pressure across the spray bar and developing a corresponding pressure signal and a supply of chemical agent to be mixed with the carrier at a desired concentration for delivery at the spray bar. The injection mixing apparatus comprises at least one injection control loop with an injection pump coupled intermediate the supply and the main pump for injecting the chemical agent into the carrier ahead of the main pump, and an injection controller for controlling the injection pump. The injection controller comprises a tachometer for sensing the rotational speed of the injection pump and developing a corresponding rotational speed signal and a pump control circuit for developing a speed control signal for controlling the pump rotational speed in response to a first input signal and a feedback signal comprising the rotational speed signal. A system controller develops the first input signal and includes a circuit for developing a flow rate signal corresponding to the flow rate of material to the spray bar, and for applying this flow rate signal to the pump control circuit as the first input signal.

Injection mixer

An apparatus for detecting a liquid-vapor change of phase in a fluid substance traveling through a conduit comprises a detector housing providing a path of travel for fluid and interposed in a portion of the fluid-carrying conduit in which the change of phase is to be detected, a source of radiation disposed for directing radiation into the path of travel and a detector for detecting radiation disposed generally at an opposite side of the path of travel from the said source. The arrangement is such that radiation from the source will pass through the fluid in the path of travel prior to reaching the detector. The detector is responsive to radiation detected thereat for producing a corresponding electrical signal. A detector circuit is responsive to the electrical signal produced by said detector for producing an output signal indicative of a liquid-vapor change of phase of the fluid in the conduit.

Liquid-vapor change of phase detector

A method and apparatus are provided for monitoring a plurality of functions and conditions of a machine which includes a plurality of sensors for producing sensor signals corresponding to these functions and conditions. The monitoring method comprises providing at least one monitoring module having a plurality of inputs, each for receiving a selected one of the sensor signals. The module also has a processor responsive to the sensor signals at the inputs for producing display signals corresponding to the associated functions and conditions, a display responsive to the display signals for producing observable indications of the corresponding functions and conditions, and a memory for storing data and instructions for enabling the processor to respond to the sensor signals from any of the sensors for monitoring any of the corresponding functions and conditions. The method proceeds by programming the memory with data and instructions for monitoring the plurality of functions and conditions of the machine. The aforementioned monitoring module comprises the apparatus of the invention.

Universal monitor

A monitoring and control system is provided for a mobile material distribution apparatus wherein the rate of material distribution per unit of area varies as a predetermined function of the ground speed of the mobile apparatus and of the rate of operation of a variable rate delivery structure for delivering material at a controllable rate to material a distribution structure for distributing the material along the path of travel of the mobile apparatus. The monitoring and control system comprises a ground speed sensor for developing a ground speed signal corresponding to the ground speed of the mobile apparatus and a delivery rate sensor for developing a delivery rate signal corresponding to a rate of delivery of material by the variable rate delivery structure. The monitoring and control system includes a monitoring and control circuit responsive to the ground speed signal and to the delivery operation of the variable rate delivery structure to achieve and maintain a desired rate of distribution of material along the path of travel of the mobile distribution apparatus. The monitoring and control circuit further comprises a processor circuit responsive to the ground speed and delivery rate signals for producing the control signals and a memory circuit for storing data and instructions for enabling the processing circuit to respond to delivery rate signals from each of a plurality of different types of delivery rate sensors.

Universal controller for material distribution device

A sensor apparatus for detecting a flow of material along a given path of travel by detecting a change in the dielectric properties of a portion of the path of travel as the material passes therethrough comprises one or more conductive, plate-like electrodes disposed adjacent the path of travel and generally defining a capacitor having the adjacent portion of the path of travel as a dielectric portion, such that the passage of material to be detected changes the dielectric constant, thereby changing the capacitance. A sensor circuit comprises a tuned circuit having the sensor electrode or electrodes being coupled in circuit therewith. The sensing circuit further comprises an oscillator circuit driving the tuned circuit at a predetermined frequency selected near the resonant frequency of the tuned circuit in the absence of material to be detected. The sensing circuit further includes an AM demodulator circuit coupled to the tuned circuit for developing a sensor circuit signal at a substantially constant level in the absence of material to be detected and a measurable change in signal level when the material to be detected is present.

Capacitive-type seed sensor for a planter monitor

A valve body comprises a substantially solid body defining a surface of complementary form for engaging a valve seat, and having a pivot axis about which it is rotatably mounted relative to a valve orifice. A periphery of the valve body surface defines at least first and second curvilinear surfaces having axes of curvature which extend substantially parallel with each other and with the pivot axis of the valve body. The axis of curvature of a first of said curvilinear surfaces is disposed inwardly of the first surface and within the periphery of the valve body; and the axis of curvature of the second of the curvilinear surfaces is disposed on the opposite side of the second curvilinear surface and outside of the periphery of the valve body. A remaining portion of the valve body surface defines a cross-sectional area at least as great as the cross-sectional area of the valve orifice for fully covering the same when in a valve closed position. The first and second curvilinear surfaces following sequentially from the remaining surface, and being oriented such that during rotation of the valve body about its pivot axis, the first surface will initially come into registry with the valve orifice for initially relatively slowly opening the valve, and thereafter the second surface will come into registry with the valve orifice for thereafter relatively rapidly opening the valve.

Growing community of inventors

Auburn, IL, United States of America

Wesley J Bachman