Larry A Wells

US Patent:

7980048, Jul 19, 2011

Filed:

Sep 15, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/210517

Inventors:

Larry G. Wells - Lexington KY, US
Timothy D. Smith - Lexington KY, US
Ira J. Ross - Versailles KY, US

Assignee:

DRSW, LLC - Lexington KY

International Classification:

A01D 45/16

US Classification:

56 275

Abstract:

A mechanism for harvesting tobacco plants includes a magazine of rails. Each rail is elongated and hollow, with a slot along a bottom portion of each rail. Two opposing dispensing conveyors each engage opposing ends of each rails for advancing an empty rail to a filling position. Two opposing notching conveyors grasps the plants and cuts notches into the plants on opposing sides of the plant. A single roller chain stepping conveyor moves the plants from the opposing notching conveyors into a rail in the filling position. The two opposing dispensing conveyors advance the rail filled with plants. An unloading conveyor having opposing roller chains receives the rails filled with plants, collects a group of filled rails, and unloads the group of filled rails on a ground level at a linear speed equal to a forward speed of the harvesting mechanism.

US Patent:

48132160, Mar 21, 1989

Filed:

Feb 2, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/010176

Inventors:

George B. Day - Lexington KY
Larry G. Wells - Lexington KY
Timothy D. Smith - Lexington KY
Ira J. Ross - Lexington KY

Assignee:

University of Ky. Research Foundation - Lexington KY

International Classification:

A01D 4516

US Classification:

56 275

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for automated harvesting are providing. The apparatus includes a mechanism for cutting the stalks of plants being harvested adjacent the ground. An inclined conveyor grasps the cut stalks and elevates them above the ground. The conveyor includes two corners that serve to partially invert the plants as they are conveyed. Cooperating inversion disks at the end of the inclined conveyor complete the inversion of the stalks through 180. degree. After the stalks are inverted they are conveyed on a spacing and notching conveyor. The spacing and notching conveyor operates at a slower speed than the inclined conveyor so as to reduce the spacing between the inverted plants to a distance appropriate for curing. A notching mechanism cuts two opposed, laterally spaced notches in the stalks of the inverted plants as they are conveyed. The plants are then substantially continuously fed by a feed conveyor so that the notched stalks are received and held within a slotted track of a portable frame allowing subsequent curing.

US Patent:

60560665, May 2, 2000

Filed:

Jan 29, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/015395

Inventors:

Larry G. Wells - Lexington KY
John P. Fulton - Lexington KY

Assignee:

University of Kentucky Research Foundation - Lexington KY

International Classification:

E01H 506
E02F 376

US Classification:

172 71

Abstract:

An apparatus for regenerating compacted soil in reclaim surface mining lands is provided. The apparatus includes an auger rotatably mounted above and forward of the blade of an earthmover, such as a bulldozer. The auger is longer than the blade and is mounted such that it extends substantially beyond one side of the blade. Adjacent this extension, a controllable lateral baffle is mounted for selectively adjusting a transverse dimension of the blade. In operation, compacted soil is collected by the blade until it reaches the auger. The auger then decompacts, transversely displaces, and deposits the soil relative to the blade, thereby creating a decompacted rooting layer that is ideal for planting. The lateral baffle may be selectively adjusted during operation to control the level of deposition of decompacted soil to provide a substantially level berm. A method of soil regeneration using the apparatus of the present invention is also disclosed.

US Patent:

41262344, Nov 21, 1978

Filed:

Jun 28, 1977

Appl. No.:

5/810887

Inventors:

Larry G. Wells - Lexington KY

Assignee:

University of Kentucky Research Foundation - Lexington KY

International Classification:

B60P 104

US Classification:

214 1HH

Abstract:

The present application is directed to a transporter for transporting large cylindrical bales which includes a mast assembly adapted to be directly attached to a standard three-point hitch of a tractor. The transporter unit includes a two-wheel type trailer and a bale engaging assembly which is rotatably mounted upon the axle of the wheel assembly so that a load positioned on the bale engaging means may be rotated upwardly to support the load directly on the wheels of the transporter. By pivotally attaching the transporter to the mast assembly, the present invention may readily support the entire transporter above the ground to increase the maneuverability of the device when the transporter is in the unloaded condition.

US Patent:

47903341, Dec 13, 1988

Filed:

Feb 2, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/009949

Inventors:

George B. Day - Lexington KY
Larry G. Wells - Lexington KY
Timothy D. Smith - Lexington KY
Ira J. Ross - Lexington KY

Assignee:

The University of Kentucky Research Foundation - Lexington KY

International Classification:

A24B 108

US Classification:

131290

Abstract:

A portable curing frame is provided particularly adapted for use with an automated tobacco harvester. The curing frame includes a substantially rectangular frame member including a series of slotted tracks, in the form of slotted tubes, specially designed for receiving a notched portion of the plant stalks. The slotted track is substantially continuous and thereby allows infinitely variable spacing between the plants and optimization of ventilation for air curing. Legs are also provided on the portable curing frame. The legs are displaceable between a retracted position allowing storage of the frames and loading of the frames with tobacco plants and an extended position for supporting the frames and inverted plants above the ground in the field. A locking mechanism is provided to positively retain the legs in both the retracted and extended positions. A triggering mechanism is also provided to release the locking mechanism and allow the legs to be displaced by gravity from the retracted position to the extended position.

US Patent:

20170064992, Mar 9, 2017

Filed:

Sep 3, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/844604

Inventors:

- Lexington KY, US
Larry G. Wells - Lexington KY, US
Ira J. Ross - Versailles KY, US

International Classification:

A24B 3/16
B02C 23/14
B03B 9/00
A24B 7/14

Abstract:

A method and apparatus are provided for processing whole tobacco plants. The method includes cutting the whole tobacco plants into segments in a segmenter assembly, classifying the segments by leaf characteristics, separating leaf material from a waste material stream of undesirable stalk and shatter material for each class of leaf characteristics and reclaiming portions of leaf material trapped in the waste material and recycling the reclaimed portions of leaf material to the segmenter assembly. The apparatus includes a stalk segmenter assembly, a processor assembly, a plurality of cleaning conveyor modules and a cyclonic separator system to reclaim small bits of leaf from the waste stream and return them through a rotary airlock to the segmenter assembly for reprocessing.