Patents by Inventor Craig R. Eike
Craig R. Eike 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: 9487073Abstract: A power train and related vehicle are described for continuously variable transmission of power. A gear set includes first and second input components and an output component. An engine provides mechanical power to the first input component and, when a clutch device is in a first state, to a first continuously variable power source (“CVP”). With the clutch device in a second state, the first CVP is decoupled from the engine. A second CVP receives non-mechanical power from the first CVP, and converts the non-mechanical power to mechanical power. When a brake device is not engaged, the second CVP provides the resulting mechanical power to the second input component. When the brake device is engaged, the brake device prevents the second input component from rotating.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2014Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Galen R. Love, Briton T. Eastman, Alfred S. Smemo, Craig A. Puetz, Craig R. Eike
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Patent number: 9334943Abstract: A power train apparatus and motor grader are described. The apparatus or motor grader includes a power source for providing rotational mechanical power. A first output interface of the power source is driven by the rotational mechanical power from the power source and rotates around a first axis A differential includes at least one output shaft rotating around a second axis offset from and parallel to the first axis. A first gear is included in the differential, the first gear rotating around the second axis and providing rotational mechanical power to the at least one output shaft of the differential. A second gear rotates around the first axis, the second gear receiving rotational mechanical power from the output interface to the power source and providing rotational mechanical power to the first gear.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2013Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Craig R. Eike, Kyle K. McKinzie, Steven R. Fliearman
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Publication number: 20150300471Abstract: A power train and related vehicle are described for continuously variable transmission of power. A gear set includes first and second input components and an output component. An engine provides mechanical power to the first input component and, when a clutch device is in a first state, to a first continuously variable power source (“CVP”). With the clutch device in a second state, the first CVP is decoupled from the engine. A second CVP receives non-mechanical power from the first CVP, and converts the non-mechanical power to mechanical power. When a brake device is not engaged, the second CVP provides the resulting mechanical power to the second input component. When the brake device is engaged, the brake device prevents the second input component from rotating.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2014Publication date: October 22, 2015Applicant: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Galen R. Love, Briton T. Eastman, Alfred S. Smemo, Craig A. Puetz, Craig R. EIKE
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Publication number: 20150167811Abstract: A power train apparatus and motor grader are described. The apparatus or motor grader includes a power source for providing rotational mechanical power. A first output interface of the power source is driven by the rotational mechanical power from the power source and rotates around a first axis A differential includes at least one output shaft rotating around a second axis offset from and parallel to the first axis. A first gear is included in the differential, the first gear rotating around the second axis and providing rotational mechanical power to the at least one output shaft of the differential. A second gear rotates around the first axis, the second gear receiving rotational mechanical power from the output interface to the power source and providing rotational mechanical power to the first gear.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2013Publication date: June 18, 2015Applicant: Deere & CompanyInventors: Craig R. Eike, Kyle K. McKinzie, Steven R. Fliearman
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Patent number: 8839694Abstract: A work vehicle including an engine and a transmission. The transmission is driven by the engine. The transmission includes an input clutch, an output clutch, and a hydraulic pump/motor. The hydraulic pump/motor is operatively connected between the input clutch and the output clutch.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2009Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: George W. Detrick, Briton T. Eastman, Craig R. Eike, Richard M. Sparks
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Publication number: 20140167559Abstract: A vehicle including a movable element and an electric machine either driving or being driven by the movable element. The electric machine having first and second housing portions and a stator. The second housing portion is engaged with the first housing portion. The stator being coupled to the first housing portion and the second housing portion by way of compressive force applied to the stator by and between the first housing portion and the second housing portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2012Publication date: June 19, 2014Applicant: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Craig R. Eike, Roger W. Burjes, Galen R. Love, Kyle K. McKinzie
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Patent number: 8740741Abstract: A differential axle assembly for a work machine having a differential lock capability. The differential axle has a differential gear housing, which utilizes a sealed housing on the outside thereof and a bleed flow path for pressurized liquid lubricant actuating a differential lock feature to provide adequate cooling flow for the differential gear set and differential lock mechanism under heavy duty circumstances.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2011Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Robert L. Wood, Jr., Michael J. Cliff, Craig R. Eike
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Publication number: 20130065720Abstract: A differential axle assembly for a work machine having a differential lock capability. The differential axle has a differential gear housing, which utilizes a sealed housing on the outside thereof and a bleed flow path for pressurized liquid lubricant actuating a differential lock feature to provide adequate cooling flow for the differential gear set and differential lock mechanism under heavy duty circumstances.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2011Publication date: March 14, 2013Inventors: Robert L. Wood, JR., Michael J. Cliff, Craig R. Eike
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Publication number: 20100307881Abstract: A work vehicle including an engine and a transmission. The transmission is driven by the engine. The transmission includes an input clutch, an output clutch, and a hydraulic pump/motor. The hydraulic pump/motor is operatively connected between the input clutch and the output clutch.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2009Publication date: December 9, 2010Inventors: George W. Detrick, Briton T. Eastman, Craig R. Eike, Richard M Sparks
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Patent number: 6308812Abstract: A work vehicle configured for selectively applying power to a load and comprising a frame, a plurality of ground support devices movably secured to the frame, an engine supported by the frame, a source of hydraulic fluid at a pressure, a clutch for selectively coupling the engine to the load in response to a control signal, the clutch including a clutch actuator configured for engaging the clutch upon receipt of an actuating fluid at least a first predetermined pressure, the clutch configured to dissipate heat of engagement to a flow of a lube fluid; and a clutch control valve located intermediate the fluid source and the clutch and disposed in the path of the actuating fluid and the lube fluid.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 1999Date of Patent: October 30, 2001Assignee: Case CorporationInventors: Craig R. Eike, Guy T. Stoever
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Patent number: 6267189Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for controlling engagement of a power take-off shaft (PTO) on a vehicle. The apparatus includes a clutch including an input shaft coupled to a power source and an output shaft coupled to the PTO. The apparatus also includes an input speed sensor for sensing a quantity related to the angular velocity of the input shaft, an output shaft speed sensor for sensing angular velocity of the output shaft, and a clutch controller for adjusting pressure of hydraulic fluid applied to the clutch in response to control signals. Torque transmitted between the input and output shafts is responsive to the control signals. The apparatus also includes a control circuit coupled to the speed sensors and the clutch controller. The control circuit is configured to receive signals from the speed sensors and to provide the control signals in response thereto.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 1999Date of Patent: July 31, 2001Assignee: Case CorporationInventors: Bradley A. Nielsen, Craig R. Eike
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Patent number: 5904228Abstract: A simplified brake control system comprises a source of pressurized fluid, a spring-set brake with a hydraulic release mechanism and a control valve connected between the brake and the source. The control valve has a valve body and a flow control mechanism in the body and mounted for movement between a first (solenoid-energized) position and a second (solenoid-de-energized) position. A one-way check valve is built into the valve body. How the system operates depends upon two factors, namely, (a) whether the valve flow control mechanism is in its first or its second position, and (b) the relationship of the pressure of the source, i.e., the first pressure, and the second pressure in the release mechanism. When the flow control mechanism is in the first position, the release mechanism may be pressurized for brake release. And when such mechanism is in the second position, the release mechanism is vented to the reservoir through the brake port, the second passage and the drain port.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 1997Date of Patent: May 18, 1999Assignee: Case CorporationInventors: Craig R. Eike, Guy T. Stoever
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Patent number: 5902344Abstract: In a vehicle having a power shift transmission engageable in a plurality of forward gear ratios by engaging and disengaging first and second fluid clutches with a fluid from a fluid supply, a manifold apparatus for measuring a pressure of the fluid and simultaneously filling the first and second clutches with the fluid supply having a first clutch fill valve fluidly coupled to the first clutch to control the flow of the fluid to the first clutch; a second clutch fill valve fluidly coupled to the second clutch to control the flow of the fluid to the second clutch; a manifold fluidly coupled to the first and second clutch valves to conduct the fluid from the fluid supply to the first and second clutch valves; a first flow restrictor disposed between the manifold and the fluid supply to restrict the flow of the fluid from the fluid supply to the manifold; and a pressure transducer fluidly communicating with the manifold to generate a signal representative of the pressure of the fluid within the manifold, where tType: GrantFiled: June 27, 1996Date of Patent: May 11, 1999Assignee: Case CorporationInventors: Craig R. Eike, Guy T. Stoever, Kevin D. McKee
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Patent number: 5853076Abstract: This invention includes an apparatus for calibrating fluid clutch fill times including a valve, a clutch connected to the valve, a fluid supply connected to the valve, a pressure transducer connected between the fluid supply and the valve, and a processor adapted to control the valve, read the pressure transducer, and calculate the time required to fill the clutch. The invention further includes a method for adaptively controlling clutch engagement and disengagement in a clutch control system including signalling a first clutch valve to fill a clutch, measuring the time required to fill the clutch, signalling a second clutch valve to empty a second clutch, and saving the time value.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 1996Date of Patent: December 29, 1998Assignee: Case CorporationInventors: Kevin D. McKee, Craig R. Eike, Guy T. Stoever
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Patent number: 5738142Abstract: A 2-position, 3-way directional control valve is described which prevents reverse flow from an actuator port to a pressure port in one position. In the preferred embodiment described, the valve is solenoid actuated and is spring biased to a drain position, wherein an extension central to a spool assembly penetrates through a check valve seat and lifts a check valve ball from its seat to permit flow from an actuator port to a drain port. In the actuated or energized position, an armature assembly is shifted by a solenoid, drawing the spool assembly within the valve body and establishing a fluid path between a pressure port and the actuator port. In this position the extension of the spool assembly is withdrawn from the check valve seat. The check valve can be unseated by pressure from the pressure port to permit flow from the pressure port, through the spool and the check valve assembly.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 1996Date of Patent: April 14, 1998Assignee: Case CorporationInventors: Craig R. Eike, Guy T. Stoever