Chris Eugene Nelson

US Patent:

6701857, Mar 9, 2004

Filed:

Jan 16, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/345346

Inventors:

Lynn David Jensen - Lake Preston SD 57249
Chris Nelson - Bloomington MN 55420
James P LeClaire - St. Paul MN 55116

International Classification:

A01C 1500

US Classification:

111200, 111900, 701 50, 172 4

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for automatically adjusting the down pressure exerted by an actuating device on a seed channel opener of a planting implement in order to maintain the seed channel opener at a predetermined depth. The method and apparatus includes a depth control device which senses the load on the depth control wheel of the planting implement and transmits a sensed load output to an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit includes a micro-controller which receives, monitors and analyzes the sensed load output and compares it to the predetermined depth value. When the micro-controller detects a change between the predetermined depth value and sensed output value, a signal is transmitted to a regulating control valve which adjusts the down pressure exerted by the actuating device on the seed channel opener to maintain the proper cutting depth.

US Patent:

6838796, Jan 4, 2005

Filed:

Aug 5, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/634372

Inventors:

Chris A. Nelson - Bloomington MN, US

Assignee:

Horton, Inc. - Roseville MN

International Classification:

H02K 4904

US Classification:

310105, 192 843

Abstract:

A rotational control apparatus includes a first rotatable assembly and a second rotatable assembly. The first assembly is rotatably mounted to a first support mount. The second assembly is rotatably mounted to the first assembly and is axially moveable relative to the first assembly. The first and second assemblies have respective coaxial surfaces adjacent to and spaced from one another and further have respective axial surfaces that frictionally engage one another when the second assembly is in a first axial position and disengage when the second assembly is in a second axial position. The second assembly is capable of rotation independent of the first assembly when the second assembly is in the second axial position. The rotational control apparatus includes an eddy current drive comprised of a first eddy current coupling assembly associated with the coaxial surface of the first assembly and a second eddy current coupling assembly associated with the coaxial surface of the second assembly, the second eddy current coupling assembly adjacent the first eddy current coupling assembly with an air gap therebetween.

US Patent:

55866352, Dec 24, 1996

Filed:

Mar 31, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/414279

Inventors:

Chris Nelson - Roseville MN
David R. Hennessy - Minneapolis MN
James P. LeClaire - St. Paul MN

Assignee:

Horton, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

F16D 2506

US Classification:

192 85A

Abstract:

A rotational control apparatus (A) having a rotatable input (26 or 180) and output (26 or 180) with respective interface discs (106, 180). Three sets of two diametrically opposed pistons (64 and 66, 68 and 70, 72 and 74) are controllable to rotatably relate the interface discs (106, 180). The piston sets (64 and 66, 68 and 70, 72 and 74) include piston heads (76) with dissimilar diameters such that each of the sets of pistons (64 and 66, 68 and 70, 72 and 74) may apply a dissimilar torque for a given amount of air pressure. Each of the piston sets (64 and 66, 68 and 70, 72 and 74) may be actuated independently or in combination with each of the other sets of pistons (64 and 66, 68 and 70, 72 and 74) such that the interface discs (106, 180) may be rotatably related to each other with varying degrees of torque. The rotational control apparatus (A) also includes a unique interface disc (106) with a frustoconical annular projection (136) for drawing relatively hot air away from the hub (26) near the interface disc (106) and out of the apparatus (A). The rotational control apparatus (A) further includes a unique set of axially extending channels (38, 60, 111) for the conveyance of air for cooling the interface discs (106, 180) from a location remote from the interface discs (106, 180).

US Patent:

62537164, Jul 3, 2001

Filed:

Jul 7, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/349274

Inventors:

Bradford Palmer - Minneapolis MN
Xin Feng - Brookfield WI
Chris Nelson - Edina MN

Assignee:

Horton, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

F01P 702

US Classification:

123 4112

Abstract:

A fan assembly (10) which incorporates variable pitched blades (152), is driven by the engine of a vehicle and is used in cooling the engine. A control system (248) is provided which is responsive to at least one signal representative of an operating parameter of the engine and a second signal indicative of a desired cooling requirement to establish an efficient pitch for the blades of the fan assembly. In one embodiment, the speed of the engine is sensed and used in combination with a cooling requirement signal developed by the engine control module (205) to regulate the pitch of the fan assembly. In a second embodiment, engine charge air temperature and coolant temperature signals are utilized in establishing the desired pitch. Furthermore, fuzzy logic controls (290) can be utilized to anticipate the cooling needs of the engine based on variations in the overall dynamic system as derived from information available through the engine control module.

US Patent:

6109871, Aug 29, 2000

Filed:

Mar 31, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/829060

Inventors:

Chris Nelson - Edina MN
Dave Hennessy - Minneapolis MN
Bradford Palmer - Minneapolis MN

Assignee:

Horton, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

F04D 2936
F04D 2700

US Classification:

416 36

Abstract:

A fan assembly (10) includes first and second housing sections (70, 72) which, when mated by a first set of fasteners, define a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings (162) that lead to an internal housing chamber (82). The fan assembly (10) also includes a plurality of blade units (140), each of which includes an integral support stem (142) having a journal portion (148) rotatably mounted within a respective one of the openings (162), an enlarged flange portion (144) and a radial post portion (138) rotatably supported by a hub member (106) within the internal chamber (82). Each blade unit (140) preferably has a thrust bearing (156), bushing sleeve (158) and fan blade (152) integrated with the support stem (142), with the fan blade (152) being preferably molded to the support stem (142) following positioning of the thrust bearing (156) and bushing sleeve (158) to form an integral component. The fan assembly (10) further includes an actuator member (112) that is movably supported within the internal housing chamber (82) and which is adapted to engage a pin (166) of the support stem (142) at a position offset from a rotational axis thereof to adjust the pitch of the fan blades (152). The fan assembly (10) is adapted to be attached to a drive device (12) with a portion (42) of the drive device (12) covering a first set of fasteners (78) such that the first and second housing sections (70, 72) can only be disassembled following detachment from the drive device (12).

US Patent:

61316814, Oct 17, 2000

Filed:

Oct 16, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/173068

Inventors:

Chris Nelson - Bloomington MN
James P. LeClaire - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

B62C 100

US Classification:

180 681

Abstract:

The invention relates to a winterfront composed of a porous material which restricts cold ram air but provides a continuous and uniform air flow across the full frontal area of a vehicle's grill and to its cooling system. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a porous winterfront bound within a frame suitable for mounting to the grill of a vehicle. In a second embodiment, the winterfront of the present invention is a composite structure having inner and outer screen layers secured to a mountable frame and a porous fibrous web disposed in a pocket between the two screen layers.