Patents by Inventor Bruce L. Upchurch
Bruce L. Upchurch 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).
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Patent number: 11068002Abstract: A work vehicle may include a load sensor, an engine, a drive train driven by the engine and a track system including at least one track. The track system is connected to the drive train. The work vehicle may further comprise a temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature and a vehicle control system configured to receive the sensed temperature and a vehicle load from the load sensor. The vehicle control system is configured to output a work speed vehicle alert based upon a combination of the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor and the vehicle load sensed by the load sensor.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2019Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Daniel Garvin, Ronica L. McKinley, Narasimhan Rangan, Janet R. Willett, Bruce L. Upchurch, Jeremy P. L'Heureux
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Publication number: 20200042023Abstract: A work vehicle may include a load sensor, an engine, a drive train driven by the engine and a track system including at least one track. The track system is connected to the drive train. The work vehicle may further comprise a temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature and a vehicle control system configured to receive the sensed temperature and a vehicle load from the load sensor. The vehicle control system is configured to output a work speed vehicle alert based upon a combination of the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor and the vehicle load sensed by the load sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2019Publication date: February 6, 2020Inventors: Daniel Garvin, Ronica L. McKinley, Narasimhan Rangan, Janet R. Willett, Bruce L. Upchurch, Jeremy P. L'heureus
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Patent number: 10520955Abstract: A work vehicle may include an engine, a drive train driven by the engine, and a track system including at least one track. The track system is connected to the drive train. The work vehicle may further include a temperature sensor configured to sense a track temperature of the at least one track and a vehicle control system configured to receive the track temperature and to determine misalignment of the at least one track based at least in part upon the sensed track temperature.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2018Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Daniel Garvin, Ronica L. McKinley, Narasimhan Rangan, Janet R. Willett, Bruce L. Upchurch, Jeremy P. L'heureux
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Publication number: 20180364744Abstract: A work vehicle may include an engine, a drive train driven by the engine, and a track system including at least one track. The track system is connected to the drive train. The work vehicle may further include a temperature sensor configured to sense a track temperature of the at least one track and a vehicle control system configured to receive the track temperature and to determine misalignment of the at least one track based at least in part upon the sensed track temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2018Publication date: December 20, 2018Inventors: Daniel Garvin, Ronica L. McKinley, Narasimhan Rangan, Janet R. Willett, Bruce L. Upchurch, Jeremy P. L'heureux
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Patent number: 9989976Abstract: A vehicle, method, and track control system for sensing the temperature of a track and controlling the vehicle's speed based on the temperature of the track. The track temperature may be sensed by a sensor embedded in a portion of the track, such as in a drive lug, a tread bar, or portion of the carcass. The temperature of the track may also be used to alert an operator of a track temperature issue or request that the operator reduce the speed of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2016Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Inventors: Daniel Garvin, Ronica L. McKinley, Narasimhan Rangan, Janet R. Willett, Bruce L. Upchurch, Jeremy P. Lheureux
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Publication number: 20170177011Abstract: A vehicle, method, and track control system for sensing the temperature of a track and controlling the vehicle's speed based on the temperature of the track. The track temperature may be sensed by a sensor embedded in a portion of the track, such as in a drive lug, a tread bar, or portion of the carcass. The temperature of the track may also be used to alert an operator of a track temperature issue or request that the operator reduce the speed of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2016Publication date: June 22, 2017Inventors: Daniel Garvin, Ronica L. McKinley, Narasimhan Rangan, Janet R. Willett, Bruce L. Upchurch, Jeremy P. Lheureux
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Patent number: 9528871Abstract: A system including a vessel, an image capturing device, and a processor. The vessel at least partially contacts a liquid, wherein the liquid has a liquid surface that is defined by a quantity of the liquid, a shape of the vessel, and an orientation of the vessel relative to a horizontal plane. The image capturing device is spaced apart from the liquid surface and captures an image thereof. The processor is in communication with the image capturing device for analyzing a characteristic of the image and determining an attribute of the liquid therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2013Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Christopher D Turner, Christopher L Bradshaw, Michael J Pipho, Bruce L Upchurch
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Patent number: 9459130Abstract: A system including a container, an imaging structure, an image capturing device, and a processor. The container at least partially surrounds a liquid. The liquid has a liquid surface that is defined by a quantity of the liquid in the container, a shape of the container, and an orientation of the container relative to a horizontal plane. The imaging structure is positioned in the container. The image capturing device captures an image of the liquid surface and the imaging structure. The processor is in communication with the image capturing device for analyzing a characteristic of the image, and for determining an attribute therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2013Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Christopher L. Bradshaw, Christopher D. Turner, Michael J. Pipho, Bruce L. Upchurch
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Patent number: 9228875Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a detection system for detecting a liquid level in a rotating driveline component. The detection system may include a first sensor for detecting the liquid, a second sensor for detecting a rotational position of the driveline component, and a receiver for determining the liquid level based on the first and second sensors.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2013Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Joseph F. Lingle, Donald O. Johannsen, Bruce L. Upchurch, Keith N. Chaston
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Patent number: 9180889Abstract: An identification system is provided for a vehicle-implement system wherein a selected one of a plurality of different implements is coupled to the vehicle. Each of the plurality of implements has a unique corresponding component or actuator. A component sensor senses a condition of the component, such as the position of the piston of a hydraulic cylinder. The sensor generates a sensor signal which has a signal characteristic (such as a frequency) which has a plurality of values. each frequency value is unique to a corresponding one of the components. A signal processing unit receives the sensor signal and identifies the selected implement as a function of the value of the characteristic of the sensor signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2013Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Bruce L. Upchurch, Karl Pfeil, Andreas Wehle
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Patent number: 9085203Abstract: A vehicle tire load sensing system includes distance sensors mounted on the vehicle near each tire. The distance sensors generate distance signals representing a distance from the sensor to a track that is left in the soil during forward vehicle travel. Pressure sensors generate tire pressure signals. A temperature sensor senses the ambient temperature. A control unit receives the distance signals, the pressure signals and the temperature signals. The control unit compensates the distance signals as a function of the sensed temperature. The control unit generates filtered distance signals, and determines a tire deflection value from the filtered distance signal. The control unit determines the tire load as a function of the tire deflection value, the pressure signal and stored information relating tire load to tire deflection and tire pressure.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2013Date of Patent: July 21, 2015Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Steven A. Duppong, Bruce L. Upchurch
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Publication number: 20150130930Abstract: A system including a container, an imaging structure, an image capturing device, and a processor. The container at least partially surrounds a liquid. The liquid has a liquid surface that is defined by a quantity of the liquid in the container, a shape of the container, and an orientation of the container relative to a horizontal plane. The imaging structure is positioned in the container. The image capturing device captures an image of the liquid surface and the imaging structure. The processor is in communication with the image capturing device for analyzing a characteristic of the image, and for determining an attribute therefrom.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2013Publication date: May 14, 2015Applicant: Deere & CompanyInventors: CHRISTOPHER D. TURNER, CHRISTOPHER L. BRADSHAW, MICHAEL J. PIPHO, BRUCE L. UPCHURCH
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Publication number: 20150130929Abstract: A system including a vessel, an image capturing device, and a processor. The vessel at least partially contacts a liquid, wherein the liquid has a liquid surface that is defined by a quantity of the liquid, a shape of the vessel, and an orientation of the vessel relative to a horizontal plane. The image capturing device is spaced apart from the liquid surface and captures an image thereof. The processor is in communication with the image capturing device for analyzing a characteristic of the image and determining an attribute of the liquid therefrom.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2013Publication date: May 14, 2015Applicant: Deere & CompanyInventors: CHRISTOPHER D. TURNER, CHRISTOPHER L. BRADSHAW, MICHAEL J. PIPHO, BRUCE L. UPCHURCH
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Publication number: 20150073618Abstract: An identification system is provided for a vehicle-implement system wherein a selected one of a plurality of different implements is coupled to the vehicle. Each of the plurality of implements has a unique corresponding component or actuator. A component sensor senses a condition of the component, such as the position of the piston of a hydraulic cylinder. The sensor generates a sensor signal which has a signal characteristic (such as a frequency) which has a plurality of values. each frequency value is unique to a corresponding one of the components. A signal processing unit receives the sensor signal and identifies the selected implement as a function of the value of the characteristic of the sensor signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2013Publication date: March 12, 2015Applicant: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: BRUCE L. UPCHURCH, Karl Pfeil, Andreas Wehle
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Publication number: 20150032287Abstract: A vehicle tire load sensing system includes distance sensors mounted on the vehicle near each tire. The distance sensors generate distance signals representing a distance from the sensor to a track that is left in the soil during forward vehicle travel. Pressure sensors generate tire pressure signals. A temperature sensor senses the ambient temperature. A control unit receives the distance signals, the pressure signals and the temperature signals. The control unit compensates the distance signals as a function of the sensed temperature. The control unit generates filtered distance signals, and determines a tire deflection value from the filtered distance signal. The control unit determines the tire load as a function of the tire deflection value, the pressure signal and stored information relating tire load to tire deflection and tire pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2013Publication date: January 29, 2015Applicant: Deere & CompanyInventors: STEVEN A. DUPPONG, Bruce L. Upchurch
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Publication number: 20140318236Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a detection system for detecting a liquid level in a rotating driveline component. The detection system may include a first sensor for detecting the liquid, a second sensor for detecting a rotational position of the driveline component, and a receiver for determining the liquid level based on the first and second sensors.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2013Publication date: October 30, 2014Applicant: Deere & CompanyInventors: Joseph F. Lingle, Donald O. Johannsen, Bruce L. Upchurch, Keith N. Chaston
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Publication number: 20140320278Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a detection system for detecting a liquid level in a rotating driveline component. The detection system may include a sensor for detecting the liquid and a receiver for determining the liquid level based at least in part on information detected by the sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2013Publication date: October 30, 2014Applicant: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Bruce L. Upchurch, Joseph F. Lingle
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Patent number: 5855270Abstract: A fruit or other produce orienting device, particularly suited for orienting apples, orients a piece of fruit with its stem axis horizontal so that it can undergo quality inspections. The device employs a cylindrical drive roller which engages the fruit on one side, and causes it to rotate, and a pair of freely rotating orienting rollers which engage the fruit across from the drive roller, and cause the fruit to achieve the desired orientation as it rotates. The first orienting roller is cone shaped with a tapered flat or concave surface so that it will steer the fruit toward the second, opposing roller, which has a thin disk shaped portion with a front surface that engages the fruit. The front surface of the disk shaped portion tends to align itself with the flat edge of the fruit at its stem or calyx end, and this causes the rotating fruit to be oriented quickly with its stem axis parallel to the roller axes, and then maintains the fruit in the correct orientation once it is achieved.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 1996Date of Patent: January 5, 1999Assignees: Cornell Research Foundation, Inc., U.S. Dept. of AgricultureInventors: James A. Throop, Daniel J. Aneshansley, Bruce L. Upchurch