Michael W Lundgreen

US Patent:

6402042, Jun 11, 2002

Filed:

Nov 29, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/725152

Inventors:

Jerry A. Stenzel - Mankato MN
Thomas K. Hiniker - Mankato MN
Michael W. Lundgreen - Fairmont MN
Mark H. Jaeger - Mapleton MN
Thomas C. Schlosser - North Mankato MN

Assignee:

Blue Earth Research - Mankato MN

International Classification:

G05B 1101

US Classification:

236 33, 236 78 D, 165286, 700 8

Abstract:

The present invention relates to a control system for establishing and maintaining a desired uniform temperature in a room heated by a heating device. The control system includes a valve assembly for controlling the pressure of the fluid supplied to the heating device, the valve assembly including a valve actuator, a pressure sensor sensing the pressure of the fluid supplied to the heater, and a temperature control device to sense the ambient temperature of the room. The control system also includes an electronic control unit connected to the aforementioned elements, the electronic control unit including an electronic circuit which samples âopenâ and âcloseâ input signals from the temperature control device, determines the rate of change of the pressure of the fluid from a predetermined pressure set point, and varies the pressure set point (which thereby varies the heating device output), according to the âopenâ or âcloseâ signals by providing a command signal to the valve actuator. This command signal is based upon a difference between the predetermined desired temperature and the actual temperature, and the rate of change of the pressure of the fluid.

US Patent:

7129423, Oct 31, 2006

Filed:

Jun 2, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/858779

Inventors:

Robert G. Baarsch - Spring Valley MN, US
Mark H. Jaeger - Mapleton MN, US
Thomas K. Hiniker - Mankato MN, US
Michael Lundgreen - Fairmont MN, US

Assignee:

Herdstar, LLC - Leroy MN

International Classification:

A01K 29/00
A01K 5/02
G01G 19/00

US Classification:

177 2513, 177200, 119842

Abstract:

A system for weighing a plurality of quadruped animals is for use in a pen confining the animals. The pen has at least first and second segregated spaces with a first one-way chute allowing animal passage from the second space to the first space. A weighing station is located within a passage having an entrance and an exit, and that allows animal passage from the first area to the second area. The weighing station includes a weighing platform within the passage over which an animal must pass when passing from the first to the second space. The weighing platform has inlet and exit scales that support the weighing platform adjacent to inlet and exit ends thereof, and provides inlet and exit weight signals. A controller receives the inlet and exit weight signals and uses them in an iterative process to determine the presence of a single animal on the weighing platform. Once that determination is made, the sum of the inlet and exit weight values is very likely to accurately provide the animal weight.

US Patent:

7406927, Aug 5, 2008

Filed:

Oct 31, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/555005

Inventors:

Robert G. Baarsch - Spring Valley MN, US
Mark H. Jaeger - Mapleton MN, US
Thomas K. Hiniker - Mankato MN, US
Michael Lundgreen - Fairmont MN, US

Assignee:

Herdstar, LLC - LeRoy MN

International Classification:

A01K 29/00

US Classification:

119842, 177199

Abstract:

A system for weighing a plurality of quadruped animals is for use in a pen confining the animals. The pen has at least first and second segregated spaces with a first one-way chute allowing animal passage from the second space to the first space. A weighing station is located within a passage having an entrance and an exit, and that allows animal passage from the first area to the second area. The weighing station includes a weighing platform within the passage over which an animal must pass when passing from the first to the second space. The weighing platform has inlet and exit scales that support the weighing platform adjacent to inlet and exit ends thereof, and provides inlet and exit weight signals. A controller receives the inlet and exit weight signals and uses them in an iterative process to determine the presence of a single animal on the weighing platform. Once that determination is made, the sum of the inlet and exit weight values is very likely to accurately provide the animal weight.

US Patent:

20070000320, Jan 4, 2007

Filed:

Jun 8, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/422910

Inventors:

Mark Jaeger - Mapleton MN, US
Michael Lundgreen - Fairmont MN, US

International Classification:

G01F 23/26

US Classification:

07330400C

Abstract:

A bin or tank level monitoring system uses a capacitance-sensing device with at least one electrode vertically extending from near the top to near the bottom of the tank. Changes in the level of the material held in the tank causes the effective dielectric constant of the electrical capacitance between the electrode and for example, an adjacent conductive tank wall, to change continuously and proportionately. The change in the dielectric constant changes the actual capacitance between the electrode and the tank wall. Circuitry forming part of the system can measure this change in capacitance and use the measurement to provide an accurate indication of the level of material in the tank. A variety of configurations of the electrode or electrodes allows level detection for both conductive and non-conductive tanks and for different types of materials held in the tanks.

US Patent:

20080289883, Nov 27, 2008

Filed:

Aug 5, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/186148

Inventors:

Robert G. Baarsch - Spring Valley MN, US
Mark H. Jaeger - Mapleton MN, US
Thomas K. Hiniker - Mankato MN, US
Michael Lundgreen - Fairmont MN, US

International Classification:

G01G 19/00

US Classification:

177133

Abstract:

A system for weighing a plurality of quadruped animals is for use in a pen confining the animals. The pen has at least first and second segregated spaces with a first one-way chute allowing animal passage from the second space to the first space. A weighing station is located within a passage having an entrance and an exit, and that allows animal passage from the first area to the second area. The weighing station includes a weighing platform within the passage over which an animal must pass when passing from the first to the second space. The weighing platform has inlet and exit scales that support the weighing platform adjacent to inlet and exit ends thereof, and provides inlet and exit weight signals. A controller receives the inlet and exit weight signals and uses them in an iterative process to determine the presence of a single animal on the weighing platform. Once that determination is made, the sum of the inlet and exit weight values is very likely to accurately provide the animal weight. The controller may also use the inlet and exit weight signals to control closing of an inlet gate to bar more than one animal at a time from the weighing platform. An animal sorting system can easily incorporate this weighing system to provide more accurate sorting.

US Patent:

57509379, May 12, 1998

Filed:

Mar 7, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/612143

Inventors:

Thomas H. Johnson - Winnebago MN
Gene L. Justice - Fairmont MN
Michael W. Lundgreen - Fairmont MN

Assignee:

Weigh-Tronix, Inc. - Fairmont MN

International Classification:

G01G 1922
G06F 300

US Classification:

177 2511

Abstract:

A multi-load cell force sensing apparatus includes a plurality of load cells supporting an operating surface and a controller which determines the position, as well as the magnitude, of an applied force relative to the operating surface. Impulse forces may be distinguished from static forces, thereby enabling the apparatus to function as a user input device whereby a user may request the apparatus to perform functions by pressing or touching a specified location on the operating surface.