Kyle M Jensen

US Patent:

20110106451, May 5, 2011

Filed:

Nov 4, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/612375

Inventors:

Colin Christy - Salina KS, US
Paul Drummond - Salina KS, US
Giyoung Kweon - Salina KS, US
Chase Maxton - Salina KS, US
Kenton Dreiling - Salina KS, US
Kyle Jensen - Salina KS, US
Eric Lund - Salina KS, US

International Classification:

G01V 3/38

US Classification:

702 5

Abstract:

A multi-sensor system rapidly measures diffuse reflectance of soil, soil conductivity, and other soil properties in situ, in three dimensions. The system includes a tractor-drawn implement containing a sensor shank used for X-Y axis measurements, a hydraulic probe implement containing a sensor probe for −Z axis measurements, and a set of visible and near-infrared spectrometers, controls, and firmware that are shared by each implement. Both implements include optical sensors and soil electrical conductivity sensors. The probe implement incorporates a sensor that measures insertion force, and the shank implement includes a soil temperature sensor. These combinations of sensors are used to calibrate the system and to characterize the soil properties within a field or area. Geo-referenced soil measurements are collected with the shank implement to identify optimal locations for conducting sensor probe insertions. The probe implement is then used for sensor probing and for collecting soil core samples for lab analysis.

US Patent:

20190289775, Sep 26, 2019

Filed:

Jun 12, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/439558

Inventors:

- Salina KS, US
Paul Drummond - Minneapolis KS, US
Eric Lund - Salina KS, US
Kyle Jensen - Salina KS, US

International Classification:

A01B 79/00
G01N 21/31
G01N 21/3563
G01S 17/89

Abstract:

A soil mapping system for collecting and mapping soil reflectance data in a field includes an implement having a furrow opener for creating a furrow and an optical module. The optical module is arranged to collect soil reflectance data at a predetermined depth within the furrow as the implement traverses a field. The optical module includes two monochromatic light sources, a window arranged to press against the soil, and a photodiode for receiving light reflected back from the soil through the window. The two light sources have different wavelengths and are modulated at different frequencies. The photodiode provides a modulated voltage output signal that contains reflectance data from both of the light sources. Additional measurement devices are carried by the implement for collecting additional soil property data, such as electrical conductivity, pH, and elevation, which can be used together with the optical data to determine variations in soil organic matter.

US Patent:

20190208698, Jul 11, 2019

Filed:

Mar 8, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/297510

Inventors:

- Salina KS, US
Kyle Jensen - Salina KS, US

International Classification:

A01C 7/10
A01C 7/20
G01N 21/55
A01B 49/06
A01B 63/00
A01C 5/06
G01N 33/24
G01N 27/22
A01B 49/04
A01C 21/00

Abstract:

A system for measuring temperature and dielectric properties of soil and other semi-solid materials on-the-go uses a long-wearing non-ferrous wear plate with two metal prongs supported by the wear plate to measure dielectric properties. The metal prongs each have a mounting end soldered to a printed circuit board containing a capacitance sensor circuit. The metal prongs have exposed ends arranged to contact the semi-solid material being measured. The sensor circuit has an oscillation frequency of 50 to 100 MHz to allow rapid dielectric measurements to be made as the sensor moves through the semi-solid material. In one embodiment, the system includes an implement for traversing a field, a shank with a leading edge for opening a furrow in soil, and a spring-loaded mounting system for biasing the wear plate downwardly relative to a shank to maintain a consistent pressure of the wear plate and metal prongs against the soil.

US Patent:

20170172058, Jun 22, 2017

Filed:

Mar 7, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/452404

Inventors:

- Salina KS, US
Chase Maxton - Salina KS, US
Kyle Jensen - Salina KS, US

International Classification:

A01C 7/10
A01B 63/00
A01B 49/06
A01C 5/06
A01C 7/20

Abstract:

An agricultural planter having sensors for measuring multiple soil properties adjusts planting depth and seeding rate in real time based on the measured soil properties. An optical module is carried by the planter for collecting soil reflectance data. A pair of soil contact blades protrude from or are embedded in the optical module for collecting soilEC data and soil moisture data. A switching circuit or phase lock loop allows the same soil contact blades to feed signals to both a soil EC signal conditioning circuit and a soil moisture signal conditioning circuit. The soil moisture data can be used to calibrate the soil EC data and the soil reflectance data to compensate for effects of changing soil moisture conditions across a field. The sensor module can be positioned behind a seed tube and used as a seed firmer, or incorporated into a seed tube guard.

US Patent:

20170067869, Mar 9, 2017

Filed:

Sep 9, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/261825

Inventors:

- Salina KS, US
Chase Maxton - Salina KS, US
Paul Drummond - Minneapolis KS, US
Kyle Jensen - Salina KS, US

International Classification:

G01N 33/24
A01B 5/04
G01N 27/22
G01N 27/04
G01N 21/55
A01B 49/04
A01B 15/18

Abstract:

A system for measuring soil properties on-the-go using a narrow profile sensor unit is provided on an implement for traversing a field. The sensor unit includes a front disk/coulter arranged to open a slot in the soil, a runner assembly arranged to follow behind the front disk/coulter for sliding contact with the soil in the slot, and a rotating disk/spoked wheel arranged to follow behind the runner assembly to close the slot. The front disk or coulter serves as a first electrode of an electrode array, the runner assembly has second and third electrodes attached thereto, and the rotating disk/spoked wheel serves as a fourth electrode. The electrode array can be used to measure soil electrical conductivity at multiple depths and to measure soil moisture. An optical window and pH sensor can also be incorporated into the runner assembly to measure soil reflectance and soil pH.