Patents by Inventor Austin J. KARST

Austin J. KARST has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11272659
    Abstract: A float cylinder is coupled to an accumulator by a first hydraulic fluid conduit. The float cylinder and accumulator are coupled to apply a float force on a header main frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Austin J. Karst, David V. Rotole, Tyler J. Bouslog
  • Publication number: 20220061204
    Abstract: A steering system for controlling an agricultural machine having a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels includes a controller, an operator steer input for communicating a steer command, a steer input sensor for detecting and outputting the steer command to the controller, a primary differential steering system for operably controlling the pair of front wheels, and a secondary steering system for operably controlling the pair of rear wheels. The secondary steering system includes a first actuator for controlling a first rear wheel and a second actuator for controlling a second rear wheel. The primary differential steering system is controlled based on the steer command. The controller outputs a control signal to operably actuate the first and second actuators at a non-linear steering gain rate as a function of the steer command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Austin J. Karst, Jason J. Wanner
  • Publication number: 20220061218
    Abstract: A work vehicle includes a chassis, and a work implement movably coupled to the chassis, the work implement configured to perform a field-engaging function. The work vehicle also includes an actuator coupled to the work implement and configured to adjust a position of the work implement relative to a ground surface, and a controller in communication with a communication module. The controller is configured to monitor a location of the work machine via the communication module, and load a field map that identifies spatial information about a corresponding field, and a characteristic of the actuator associated with the spatial information. The controller is further configured to partition the spatial information into at least one pass traversable by the work machine. The controller is also configured to create an adjustment event to adjust the actuator in response to the location of the work machine moving within the at least one pass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventor: AUSTIN J. KARST
  • Publication number: 20220061211
    Abstract: A work machine includes a chassis, and a work implement movably coupled to the chassis and configured to perform a field-engaging function. The work machine also includes an actuator coupled to the work implement and configured to adjust a position of the work implement relative to a ground surface. The work machine further includes a sensor unit configured to sense a characteristic of the work machine and communicate a signal indicative of the characteristic. The work machine also includes a communication module, and a controller in communication with the sensor unit and the communication module, the controller including a processor and memory. The controller is configured to monitor a location of the work machine, process the signal from the sensor unit to monitor the characteristic, determine whether the characteristic exceeds an acceptable range, and if so, identify an event, and assign a location to the event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventor: AUSTIN J. KARST
  • Publication number: 20220061213
    Abstract: A work vehicle includes a chassis, and a work implement movably coupled to the chassis and configured to perform a field-engaging function. The work machine also includes an actuator coupled to the work implement and configured to adjust a position of the work implement relative to a ground surface. The work machine further includes a controller in communication with an output device and a communication module. The controller is configured to monitor a location of the work machine via the communication module. The controller is also configured to load a field map from a field map database, the field map identifying at least one impact event comprising a geotagged location. The controller is further configured to display an alert via the output device in response to the location of the work machine approaching within a predetermined distance from the geotagged location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventor: AUSTIN J. KARST
  • Publication number: 20220061205
    Abstract: A steering system for controlling an agricultural machine having a pair of front and rear wheels includes a controller and a steer input sensor for detecting a change in an operator steer input corresponding to a steer command. The system includes a displacement input for communicating a motor displacement associated with an operating mode. A primary differential steering system includes a drive motor for operably controlling the pair of front wheels and a secondary steering system controls the pair of rear wheels. The controller determines if the motor displacement is being controlled according to a first motor displacement or a second motor displacement, and outputs a control signal to actuate first and second actuators as a function of the steer command. The control signal includes a rear steering gain that is a function of machine speed and either the first motor displacement or the second motor displacement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Austin J. Karst, Jason J. Wanner
  • Patent number: 11246255
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for controlling at least one steerable caster wheel of an agricultural machine includes a first actuator having a piston and including an inboard fluid port for supplying fluid to a first side of the piston to move the piston in a first direction, and an outboard fluid port for supplying fluid to a second side of the piston to move the piston in a second direction. A first fluid pressure equalizer is fluidically coupled to the first side actuator and operable to equalize fluid pressure over a period of time between the first side and the second side of the piston of the first side actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Austin J. Karst, Thomas D. Morrison, David V. Rotole
  • Patent number: 11168711
    Abstract: A hydraulic system includes a first fixed displacement pump having a first pump output and a second fixed displacement pump having a second pump output. A first actuator requires a first required flow rate to perform a first function. A second actuator requires a second required flow rate to perform a second function. A combined flow control valve is controllable between a first state connecting fluid communication between the first fixed displacement pump and the tank so that only the second pump output is directed to the second actuator, and a second state disconnecting fluid communication between the first fixed displacement pump and the tank to combine the first pump output and the second pump output such that the combined first pump output and the second pump output is directed to the first actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas D. Morrison, Austin J. Karst
  • Publication number: 20210329824
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for controlling at least one steerable caster wheel of an agricultural machine includes a first actuator having a piston and including an inboard fluid port for supplying fluid to a first side of the piston to move the piston in a first direction, and an outboard fluid port for supplying fluid to a second side of the piston to move the piston in a second direction. A first fluid pressure equalizer is fluidically coupled to the first side actuator and operable to equalize fluid pressure over a period of time between the first side and the second side of the piston of the first side actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: AUSTIN J. KARST, THOMAS D. MORRISON, DAVID V. ROTOLE
  • Publication number: 20210331741
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for controlling a pair of steerable caster wheels of an agricultural machine includes a fluidic tie rod fluid circuit interconnecting both a left side actuator and a right side actuator with a rear steering control valve in fluid communication, and forming a fluid tie rod between the left side actuator and the right side actuator. A tie rod control valve is disposed in the fluidic tie rod fluid circuit and is controllable between a first position allowing fluid communication through the fluidic tie rod fluid circuit to communicate fluid between the left side actuator, the right side actuator, and the rear steering control valve and a second position blocking fluid communication to the rear steering control valve while connecting the left side actuator and the right side actuator in fluid communication to increase stiffness of the fluid tie rod therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventor: Austin J. KARST
  • Publication number: 20210331329
    Abstract: Systems and method for forming a stable silo face in bulk material are disclosed. Particularly, systems and methods for forming a negative rake angle in a silo face of bulk silage are disclosed. Rotation of an articulated arm (e.g., raising and lowering), altering a length of the articulated arm (e.g., extension or retraction), and movement of a machine relative to the silo face (towards and away from) may be automatically controlled to form the negative rake angle. Different implementations contemplate automated control of all or fewer than all of these operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: TIMOTHY J. KRAUS, AUSTIN J. KARST
  • Patent number: 11140825
    Abstract: A header positioning assembly for adjusting a header relative to a chassis includes a lift mechanism configured to couple the header to the chassis, at least one lift actuator configured to apply a force to the lift mechanism to adjust and maintain an orientation of the lift mechanism relative to the chassis, and an adjustment mechanism coupled to the at least one lift actuator or to the lift mechanism. The adjustment mechanism is positionable in at least two orientations and configured so that when the adjustment mechanism is in the at least two orientations, and without uncoupling the adjustment mechanism from the at least one lift actuator or the lift mechanism to which the adjustment mechanism is coupled, the adjustment mechanism changes one or more of a location and a direction of the force applied to the lift mechanism by the at least one lift actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Austin J. Karst, Timothy J. Kraus
  • Patent number: 11116133
    Abstract: A control system for an agricultural work vehicle is provided, the control system includes at least one controller, at least one control input device configured to send control signals to the at least one controller, and a header positioning assembly configured to interchangeably couple a plurality of headers to a chassis of a traction unit. The header positioning assembly is moveable between a plurality of orientations with each of the plurality of orientations providing a unique mechanical advantage. The at least one controller is configured to output a plurality of control commands corresponding to the control signals generated by the at least one control input device, and the control commands are configured to effect movement of the header positioning assembly between the plurality of orientations. An agricultural work vehicle is provided and includes the control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Austin J. Karst, Timothy J. Kraus
  • Publication number: 20210123461
    Abstract: A hydraulic system includes a first fixed displacement pump having a first pump output and a second fixed displacement pump having a second pump output. A first actuator requires a first required flow rate to perform a first function. A second actuator requires a second required flow rate to perform a second function. A combined flow control valve is controllable between a first state connecting fluid communication between the first fixed displacement pump and the tank so that only the second pump output is directed to the second actuator, and a second state disconnecting fluid communication between the first fixed displacement pump and the tank to combine the first pump output and the second pump output such that the combined first pump output and the second pump output is directed to the first actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Inventors: THOMAS D. MORRISON, AUSTIN J. KARST
  • Publication number: 20200305348
    Abstract: A float cylinder is coupled to an accumulator by a first hydraulic fluid conduit. The float cylinder and accumulator are coupled to apply a float force on a header main frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Austin J. Karst, David V. Rotole, Tyler J. Bouslog
  • Publication number: 20200214204
    Abstract: A header positioning assembly for adjusting a header relative to a chassis includes a lift mechanism configured to couple the header to the chassis, at least one lift actuator configured to apply a force to the lift mechanism to adjust and maintain an orientation of the lift mechanism relative to the chassis, and an adjustment mechanism coupled to the at least one lift actuator or to the lift mechanism. The adjustment mechanism is positionable in at least two orientations and configured so that when the adjustment mechanism is in the at least two orientations, and without uncoupling the adjustment mechanism from the at least one lift actuator or the lift mechanism to which the adjustment mechanism is coupled, the adjustment mechanism changes one or more of a location and a direction of the force applied to the lift mechanism by the at least one lift actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Austin J. KARST, Timothy J. KRAUS
  • Publication number: 20200214200
    Abstract: A control system for an agricultural work vehicle is provided, the control system includes at least one controller, at least one control input device configured to send control signals to the at least one controller, and a header positioning assembly configured to interchangeably couple a plurality of headers to a chassis of a traction unit. The header positioning assembly is moveable between a plurality of orientations with each of the plurality of orientations providing a unique mechanical advantage. The at least one controller is configured to output a plurality of control commands corresponding to the control signals generated by the at least one control input device, and the control commands are configured to effect movement of the header positioning assembly between the plurality of orientations. An agricultural work vehicle is provided and includes the control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Austin J. KARST, Timothy J. KRAUS