Patents by Inventor Eric A. Keen

Eric A. Keen 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: 11716795
    Abstract: An agricultural work vehicle for operating in a field includes a chassis, a cab mounted to the chassis, a controller for controlling operation of the work vehicle, and a lighting system including a array field light. The array field light projects a light emission to illuminate a defined zone. A light control module is disposed in electrical communication with the controller and operably controls the at least one array field light. A sensing device senses an area surrounding the work vehicle. The sensing device transmits a signal indicative of a detected object to the controller, which in turn determines if the detected object is in the defined zone. If the detected object is in the defined zone, the light control module controllably adjusts an output from the array field light so that only a portion of the defined zone in which the object is not located is illuminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Nathan R. Demski, Brian M. Huenink, Eric A. Keen
  • Publication number: 20230234559
    Abstract: A soil measure, such as a soil cone index, and a vehicle index indicating the amount of force the vehicle exerts on the ground as it travels over the ground, are obtained and compared to identify a soil damage score. The soil damage score can be mapped over a field and an agricultural vehicle can be controlled based upon the soil damage score. In another example, a detector detects a fill level of a material storage compartment on an agricultural vehicle. The inflation pressure of tires on the agricultural vehicle is controlled based upon the detected fill level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2022
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventors: Benjamin C. Potter, Eric A. Keen, Mark D. Klein, Lee A. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20230140830
    Abstract: Systems and methods for targeted illumination of an object coupled to a machine, such as an implement coupled to an agricultural vehicle, are disclosed. The systems and methods include sensing an area adjacent to the machine, determining whether an implement is present in the sensed area, and providing targeted illumination to the detected object while avoiding the provision of light to the area that is not occupied by the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Nathan R. Demski, Brian M. Huenink, Eric A. Keen
  • Patent number: 11364838
    Abstract: An agricultural work vehicle for operating in a field includes a chassis, a cab mounted to the chassis, a controller for controlling operation of the work vehicle, and a lighting system including a array field light. The controller is in communication with a field map input, and the array field light projects a light emission to illuminate a zone. A light control module is disposed in electrical communication with the controller and operably controls the array field light. Upon identifying an object in the field based on the field map input, the controller determines if the object is in the zone. If the object is in the zone, the light control module controllably adjusts an output from the array field light based on a location of the object in the zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Nathan R. Demski, Brian M. Huenink, Eric A. Keen
  • Publication number: 20220176873
    Abstract: An agricultural work vehicle includes a chassis, a cab mounted to the chassis and including a work space for an operator to control the work vehicle, and a controller for controlling operation of the work vehicle. The work vehicle further includes a lighting system having at least one array field light for illuminating an area on or around the work vehicle. A light control module is disposed in electrical communication with the controller and is configured to operably control the at least one array field light. The controller transmits a signal to the light control module, and the at least one array field light transmits a light signal corresponding to the signal which is receivable by a receiving module on another work vehicle or implement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventors: Nathan R. Demski, Eric A. Keen, Brian M. Huenink, Michael R. Gratton
  • Publication number: 20210402918
    Abstract: An agricultural work vehicle for operating in a field includes a chassis, a cab mounted to the chassis, a controller for controlling operation of the work vehicle, and a lighting system including a array field light. The array field light projects a light emission to illuminate a defined zone. A light control module is disposed in electrical communication with the controller and operably controls the at least one array field light. A sensing device senses an area surrounding the work vehicle. The sensing device transmits a signal indicative of a detected object to the controller, which in turn determines if the detected object is in the defined zone. If the detected object is in the defined zone, the light control module controllably adjusts an output from the array field light so that only a portion of the defined zone in which the object is not located is illuminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Nathan R. Demski, Brian M. Huenink, Eric A. Keen
  • Publication number: 20210402917
    Abstract: An agricultural work vehicle for operating in a field includes a chassis, a cab mounted to the chassis for an operator to control the work vehicle, a controller for controlling operation of the work vehicle, a lighting system of the work vehicle comprising at least one array field light, and a light control module disposed in electrical communication with the controller. The light control module operably controls the at least one array field light. The controller transmits a signal to the light control module indicative of information about the work vehicle. The at least one array field light projects the information onto the field at a location visible to the operator while operating the work vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Nathan R. Demski, Brian M. Huenink, Eric A. Keen
  • Publication number: 20210402919
    Abstract: An agricultural work vehicle for operating in a field includes a chassis, a cab mounted to the chassis for an operator to control the work vehicle, a controller for controlling operation of the work vehicle, a lighting system of the work vehicle comprising at least one array field light, and a light control module disposed in electrical communication with the controller. The light control module operably controls the at least one array field light. The controller transmits a signal to the light control module indicative of an intended path of travel of the work vehicle. The at least one array field light projects a light emission corresponding to the intended path of travel onto the field at a location visible to the operator while operating the work vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Nathan R. Demski, Brian M. Huenink, Eric A. Keen
  • Publication number: 20210402916
    Abstract: An agricultural work vehicle for operating in a field includes a chassis, a cab mounted to the chassis, a controller for controlling operation of the work vehicle, and a lighting system including a array field light. The controller is in communication with a field map input, and the array field light projects a light emission to illuminate a zone. A light control module is disposed in electrical communication with the controller and operably controls the array field light. Upon identifying an object in the field based on the field map input, the controller determines if the object is in the zone. If the object is in the zone, the light control module controllably adjusts an output from the array field light based on a location of the object in the zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Nathan R. Demski, Brian M. Huenink, Eric A. Keen
  • Publication number: 20210402914
    Abstract: A control system of an off-road work vehicle for performing a work function includes a controller for controlling the work vehicle, a light control module for controlling a lighting system of the work vehicle, and a sensing device disposed in communication with the controller. The lighting system includes a array field light that is operably controllable to project a light emission. The sensing device signals a location to be illuminated by the array field light to the controller, and the light control module operably controls an output of the array field light to direct substantially its entire light emission at the location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Nathan R. Demski, Brian M. Huenink, Eric A. Keen, Michael R. Gratton
  • Publication number: 20210339809
    Abstract: Systems and methods for targeted illumination of an object coupled to a machine, such as an implement coupled to an agricultural vehicle, are disclosed. The systems and methods include sensing an area adjacent to the machine, determining whether an implement is present in the sensed area, and providing targeted illumination to the detected object while avoiding the provision of light to the area that is not occupied by the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Nathan R. Demski, Brian M. Huenink, Eric A. Keen
  • Patent number: 10870447
    Abstract: A brake system for providing tactile feedback in a vehicle steering system. The brake system includes an input shaft, and a rotor responsive to the shaft to rotate in response to input steering wheel inputs. A friction element imparts a base load to the rotor, and an electromagnetic coil imparts a variable load to the rotor. A housing of the brake system includes a fixed component and an intermediate component threaded together to set the base load. An adjustable component of the housing is threaded to the intermediate component to calibrate the variable load. The friction element is disposed between, and engages, both the rotor and the intermediate housing to impart the feedback loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael Thompson, Eric A. Keen, Gary H. Wenzel
  • Publication number: 20190176882
    Abstract: A brake system for providing tactile feedback in a vehicle steering system. The brake system includes an input shaft, and a rotor responsive to the shaft to rotate in response to input steering wheel inputs. A friction element imparts a base load to the rotor, and an electromagnetic coil imparts a variable load to the rotor. A housing of the brake system includes a fixed component and an intermediate component threaded together to set the base load. An adjustable component of the housing is threaded to the intermediate component to calibrate the variable load. The friction element is disposed between, and engages, both the rotor and the intermediate housing to impart the feedback loads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Michael Thompson, Eric A. Keen, Gary H. Wenzel
  • Publication number: 20180008387
    Abstract: A companion engineering and manufacturing process to optimize multi-layered zirconia crowns, and improved substructure are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Applicant: Zircore, LLC
    Inventors: R. DAVID SAGER, BERNARD KEOUGH, HOWARD KAY, ERIC KEEN
  • Publication number: 20150265380
    Abstract: A companion engineering and manufacturing process to optimize multi-layered zirconia crowns, and improved substructure are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Inventors: ROBERT DAVID SAGER, Peter R. Hunt, Bernard Keough, Howard Kay, Eric Keen
  • Patent number: 8622362
    Abstract: A suspension system includes a base frame, a carrier frame and a linkage mounted on the base frame and supporting the carrier frame. The linkage includes a first arm pivotally coupled to the frames and a second arm pivotally coupled to the frames and pivotally coupled to the second arm about a linkage pivot axis. A rotary motor has a housing and a shaft which rotates with respect to the housing. The shaft is aligned with the linkage pivot axis. The housing is non-rotatably coupled to the first arm. The shaft is coupled to a transmission which is coupled to the second arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Eric A. Keen
  • Patent number: D910086
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Eric Keen, Brian Huenink, Richard N. Knowles, Thomas C Boe, Felix Nagelin, Thorsten Hagner, Michael D Kollath, Charles N Warren, Daniel J DeBoer, William Clayton Martin, John W. Krieger, Volker Durre, Sebastian Himpel
  • Patent number: D915473
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Thorsten Hagner, Benjamin Jordan, Aaron Ritter, Benjamin J. Mueller, Michael R. Gratton, Sebastian Himpel, Eric Keen, Michael Thompson, Mark DePoorter, Felix Nagelin, Nathan R. Demski, Dean Arden Boyce, Pradipkumar J. Tanpure
  • Patent number: D928850
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Eric Keen, Thorsten Hagner, Felix Nagelin, Sebastian Himpel
  • Patent number: D936114
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Thorsten Hagner, Benjamin Jordan, Aaron Ritter, Benjamin J. Mueller, Michael R. Gratton, Sebastian Himpel, Eric Keen, Michael Thompson, Mark DePoorter, Felix Nagelin, Nathan R. Demski, Dean Arden Boyce, Pradipkumar J. Tanpure