Patents by Inventor Ivan R. Brand
Ivan R. Brand 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: 10039239Abstract: A stump cutter controller and operator presence system includes one or more capacitive sensors in each of the three control levers that control movement of the cutter wheel. A sensor circuit measures changes in the capacitance of the sensors. The controller automatically disengages a drive clutch and applies a brake to the cutter wheel when the controller senses that an operator has left the operating station—which is assumed when the operator has not touched any one of the three control levers of the operator station for a predetermined time. The controller logic is set to allow the clutch to remain engaged during a delay period, of predetermined duration, to permit the operator to move a hand off of one control lever to another control lever. Also, a grace period, of varying duration based on the speed of the cutter wheel, may be provided during which the clutch is reengaged if an operator returns to the controls.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2008Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: VERMEER MANUFACTURING COMPANYInventors: Ivan R. Brand, Brent Allen Bartels, John R. Powers, Douglas E. Ammons
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Patent number: 8257227Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a material reduction machine including a clutch configured and arranged to engage and disengage a material reduction tool with an engine based in response to a control unit. The control unit is configured to decelerate the material reduction tool by maintaining the clutch engaged with the engine during an engine speed reduction period. Another embodiment of the present disclosure also provides a method of decelerating a material reduction tool of a material reduction machine. The method includes the steps of maintaining engagement between the material reduction tool and an engine after the engine enters an engine speed reduction mode, and disengaging the material reduction device from the engine before the engine rpm drops below a predetermined level.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2008Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Ivan R. Brand, Brent Allen Bartels
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Publication number: 20100163656Abstract: An improved brush cutter having an upper feed control member with stop, forward, neutral, and reverse positions also has a lower feed stop member with selectable sensitivity. Another aspect of the invention is to predict the feed roller shutoff point according to the rate of engine deceleration. According to another aspect, when the feed rollers stop feeding material into the cutters, to overcome drag on the cutters, a controller stops the feed rollers and then reverses them for a short time, and then reverses the rollers again if the problem is still present. To prevent jamming, a pressure switch senses when oil in a hydraulic motor system for rotating the feed rollers is too high and the controller momentarily reverses the feed rollers and then causes them to go forward, a cycle which can occur several times until the feed rollers are no longer stalled.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2010Publication date: July 1, 2010Inventors: Mark Robert Stelter, James L. O'Halloran, Dennis K. Gabler, Jeffrey D. Kernwein, Ivan R. Brand, Brian M. Johnson
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Patent number: 7654479Abstract: An improved brush cutter having an upper feed control member with stop, forward, neutral, and reverse positions also has a lower feed stop member with selectable sensitivity. Another aspect of the invention is to predict the feed roller shutoff point according to the rate of engine deceleration. According to another aspect, when the feed rollers stop feeding material into the cutters, to overcome drag on the cutters, a controller stops the feed rollers and then reverses them for a short time, and then reverses the rollers again if the problem is still present. To prevent jamming, a pressure switch senses when oil in a hydraulic motor system for rotating the feed rollers is too high and the controller momentarily reverses the feed rollers and then causes them to go forward, a cycle which can occur several times until the feed rollers are no longer stalled.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2009Date of Patent: February 2, 2010Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Co.Inventors: Mark R Stelter, James L. O'Halloran, Dennis K. Gabler, Jeffrey D. Kernwein, Ivan R. Brand, Brian M. Johnson
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Publication number: 20100001108Abstract: An improved brush cutter having an upper feed control member with stop, forward, neutral, and reverse positions also has a lower feed stop member with selectable sensitivity. Another aspect of the invention is to predict the feed roller shutoff point according to the rate of engine deceleration. According to another aspect, when the feed rollers stop feeding material into the cutters, to overcome drag on the cutters, a controller stops the feed rollers and then reverses them for a short time, and then reverses the rollers again if the problem is still present. To prevent jamming, a pressure switch senses when oil in a hydraulic motor system for rotating the feed rollers is too high and the controller momentarily reverses the feed rollers and then causes them to go forward, a cycle which can occur several times until the feed rollers are no longer stalled.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2009Publication date: January 7, 2010Inventors: Mark Robert Stelter, James L. O'Halloran, Dennis K. Gabler, Jeffrey D. Kernwein, Ivan R. Brand, Brian M. Johnson
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Patent number: 7637444Abstract: An improved brush cutter having an upper feed control member with stop, forward, neutral, and reverse positions also has a lower feed stop member with selectable sensitivity. Another aspect of the invention is to predict the feed roller shutoff point according to the rate of engine deceleration. According to another aspect, when the feed rollers stop feeding material into the cutters, to overcome drag on the cutters, a controller stops the feed rollers and then reverses them for a short time, and then reverses the rollers again if the problem is still present. To prevent jamming, a pressure switch senses when oil in a hydraulic motor system for rotating the feed rollers is too high and the controller momentarily reverses the feed rollers and then causes them to go forward, a cycle which can occur several times until the feed rollers are no longer stalled.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2007Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Co.Inventors: Mark Robert Stelter, James L. O'Halloran, Dennis K Gabler, Jeffrey D. Kernwein, Ivan R Brand, Brian M Johnson
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Patent number: 7624937Abstract: An improved brush cutter having an upper feed control member with stop, forward, neutral, and reverse positions also has a lower feed stop member with selectable sensitivity. Another aspect of the invention is to predict the feed roller shutoff point according to the rate of engine deceleration. According to another aspect, when the feed rollers stop feeding material into the cutters, to overcome drag on the cutters, a controller stops the feed rollers and then reverses them for a short time, and then reverses the rollers again if the problem is still present. To prevent jamming, a pressure switch senses when oil in a hydraulic motor system for rotating the feed rollers is too high and the controller momentarily reverses the feed rollers and then causes them to go forward, a cycle which can occur several times until the feed rollers are no longer stalled.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2007Date of Patent: December 1, 2009Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Mark Robert Stelter, James L O'Halloran, Dennis K Gabler, Jeffrey D. Kernwein, Ivan R Brand, Brian M Johnson
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Patent number: 7597279Abstract: An improved brush cutter having an upper feed control member with stop, forward, neutral, and reverse positions also has a lower feed stop member with selectable sensitivity. Another aspect of the invention is to predict the feed roller shutoff point according to the rate of engine deceleration. According to another aspect, when the feed rollers stop feeding material into the cutters, to overcome drag on the cutters, a controller stops the feed rollers and then reverses them for a short time, and then reverses the rollers again if the problem is still present. To prevent jamming, a pressure switch senses when oil in a hydraulic motor system for rotating the feed rollers is too high and the controller momentarily reverses the feed rollers and then causes them to go forward, a cycle which can occur several times until the feed rollers are no longer stalled.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2006Date of Patent: October 6, 2009Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Co.Inventors: Mark Robert Stelter, James L O'Halloran, Dennis K Gabler, Jeffrey D. Kernwein, Ivan R Brand, Brian M Johnson
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Publication number: 20090230225Abstract: An improved brush cutter having an upper feed control member with stop, forward, neutral, and reverse positions also has a lower feed stop member with selectable sensitivity. Another aspect of the invention is to predict the feed roller shutoff point according to the rate of engine deceleration. According to another aspect, when the feed rollers stop feeding material into the cutters, to overcome drag on the cutters, a controller stops the feed rollers and then reverses them for a short time, and then reverses the rollers again if the problem is still present. To prevent jamming, a pressure switch senses when oil in a hydraulic motor system for rotating the feed rollers is too high and the controller momentarily reverses the feed rollers and then causes them to go forward, a cycle which can occur several times until the feed rollers are no longer stalled.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2006Publication date: September 17, 2009Inventors: Mark Robert Stelter, James L. O'Halloran, Dennis K. Gabler, Jeffrey D. Kernwein, Ivan R. Brand, Brian M. Johnson
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Publication number: 20090152386Abstract: An improved brush cutter having an upper feed control member with stop, forward, neutral, and reverse positions also has a lower feed stop member with selectable sensitivity. Another aspect of the invention is to predict the feed roller shutoff point according to the rate of engine deceleration. According to another aspect, when the feed rollers stop feeding material into the cutters, to overcome drag on the cutters, a controller stops the feed rollers and then reverses them for a short time, and then reverses the rollers again if the problem is still present. To prevent jamming, a pressure switch senses when oil in a hydraulic motor system for rotating the feed rollers is too high and the controller momentarily reverses the feed rollers and then causes them to go forward, a cycle which can occur several times until the feed rollers are no longer stalled.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2009Publication date: June 18, 2009Inventors: Mark Robert Stelter, James L. O'Halloran, Dennis K. Gabler, Jeffrey D. Kernwein, Ivan R. Brand, Brian M. Johnson
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Publication number: 20090090434Abstract: A stump cutter controller and operator presence system includes one or more capacitive sensors in each of the three control levers that control movement of the cutter wheel. A sensor circuit measures changes in the capacitance of the sensors. The controller automatically disengages a drive clutch and applies a brake to the cutter wheel when the controller senses that an operator has left the operating station—which is assumed when the operator has not touched any one of the three control levers of the operator station for a predetermined time. The controller logic is set to allow the clutch to remain engaged during a delay period, of predetermined duration, to permit the operator to move a hand off of one control lever to another control lever. Also, a grace period, of varying duration based on the speed of the cutter wheel, may be provided during which the clutch is reengaged if an operator returns to the controls.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2008Publication date: April 9, 2009Applicant: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Ivan R. Brand, Brent Allen Bartels, John R. Powers, Douglas E. Ammons
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Publication number: 20090036271Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a material reduction machine including a clutch configured and arranged to engage and disengage a material reduction tool with an engine based in response to a control unit. The control unit is configured to decelerate the material reduction tool by maintaining the clutch engaged with the engine during an engine speed reduction period. Another embodiment of the present disclosure also provides a method of decelerating a material reduction tool of a material reduction machine. The method includes the steps of maintaining engagement between the material reduction tool and an engine after the engine enters an engine speed reduction mode, and disengaging the material reduction device from the engine before the engine rpm drops below a predetermined level.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2008Publication date: February 5, 2009Applicant: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Ivan R. Brand, Brent Allen Bartels
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Publication number: 20080078851Abstract: An improved brush cutter having an upper feed control member with stop, forward, neutral, and reverse positions also has a lower feed stop member with selectable sensitivity. Another aspect of the invention is to predict the feed roller shutoff point according to the rate of engine deceleration. According to another aspect, when the feed rollers stop feeding material into the cutters, to overcome drag on the cutters, a controller stops the feed rollers and then reverses them for a short time, and then reverses the rollers again if the problem is still present. To prevent jamming, a pressure switch senses when oil in a hydraulic motor system for rotating the feed rollers is too high and the controller momentarily reverses the feed rollers and then causes them to go forward, a cycle which can occur several times until the feed rollers are no longer stalled.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2007Publication date: April 3, 2008Inventors: Mark Robert Stelter, James L. O'Halloran, Dennis K. Gabler, Jeffrey D. Kernwein, Ivan R. Brand, Brian M. Johnson
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Publication number: 20070257140Abstract: An improved brush cutter having an upper feed control member with stop, forward, neutral, and reverse positions also has a lower feed stop member with selectable sensitivity. Another aspect of the invention is to predict the feed roller shutoff point according to the rate of engine deceleration. According to another aspect, when the feed rollers stop feeding material into the cutters, to overcome drag on the cutters, a controller stops the feed rollers and then reverses them for a short time, and then reverses the rollers again if the problem is still present. To prevent jamming, a pressure switch senses when oil in a hydraulic motor system for rotating the feed rollers is too high and the controller momentarily reverses the feed rollers and then causes them to go forward, a cycle which can occur several times until the feed rollers are no longer stalled.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2007Publication date: November 8, 2007Inventors: Mark Robert Stelter, James L. O'Halloran, Dennis K. Gabler, Jeffrey D. Kernwein, Ivan R. Brand, Brian M. Johnson
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Publication number: 20070257141Abstract: An improved brush cutter having an upper feed control member with stop, forward, neutral, and reverse positions also has a lower feed stop member with selectable sensitivity. Another aspect of the invention is to predict the feed roller shutoff point according to the rate of engine deceleration. According to another aspect, when the feed rollers stop feeding material into the cutters, to overcome drag on the cutters, a controller stops the feed rollers and then reverses them for a short time, and then reverses the rollers again if the problem is still present. To prevent jamming, a pressure switch senses when oil in a hydraulic motor system for rotating the feed rollers is too high and the controller momentarily reverses the feed rollers and then causes them to go forward, a cycle which can occur several times until the feed rollers are no longer stalled.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2006Publication date: November 8, 2007Inventors: Mark Robert Stelter, James L. O'Halloran, Dennis K. Gabler, Jeffrey D. Kernwein, Ivan R. Brand, Brian M. Johnson
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Patent number: 7232083Abstract: An improved brush cutter having an upper feed control member with stop, forward, neutral, and reverse positions also has a lower feed stop member with selectable sensitivity. Another aspect of the invention is to predict the feed roller shutoff point according to the rate of engine deceleration. According to another aspect, when the feed rollers stop feeding material into the cutters, to overcome drag on the cutters, a controller stops the feed rollers and then reverses them for a short time, and then reverses the rollers again if the problem is still present. To prevent jamming, a pressure switch senses when oil in a hydraulic motor system for rotating the feed rollers is too high and the controller momentarily reverses the feed rollers and then causes them to go forward, a cycle which can occur several times until the feed rollers are no longer stalled.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2006Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Co.Inventors: Mark Robert Stelter, James L. O'Halloran, Dennis K. Gabler, Jeffrey D. Kernwein, Ivan R. Brand, Brian M. Johnson
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Patent number: 7044409Abstract: An improved brush cutter having an upper feed control member with stop, forward, neutral, and reverse positions also has a lower feed stop member with selectable sensitivity. Another aspect of the invention is to predict the feed roller shutoff point according to the rate of engine deceleration. According to another aspect, when the feed rollers stop feeding material into the cutters, to overcome drag on the cutters, a controller stops the feed rollers and then reverses them for a short time, and then reverses the rollers again if the problem is still present. To prevent jamming, a pressure switch senses when oil in a hydraulic motor system for rotating the feed rollers is too high and the controller momentarily reverses the feed rollers and then causes them to go forward, a cycle which can occur several times until the feed rollers are no longer stalled.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2001Date of Patent: May 16, 2006Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Mark Robert Stelter, James L. O'Halloran, Dennis K. Gabler, Jeffrey D. Kernwein, Ivan R. Brand, Brian M. Johnson
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Patent number: 6766869Abstract: A remote lock-out system and method are employed with a drilling machine. The remote lock-out system includes a remote lock-out override controller capable of interrupting a drilling operation of the drilling machine. The remote lock-out override controller includes a transmitter and a receiver. A remote lock-out controller is capable of issuing a lock-out signal and a run signal, wherein the lock-out signal, when received by the HDD machine, initiates suspension of the HDD machine drilling operation, and the run signal initiates enablement of the HDD machine drilling operation. The remote lock-out controller includes a transmitter and a receiver. The HDD machine drilling operation generally includes displacing and rotating the drill string, and can further include supplying a drilling fluid through the drill string.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2002Date of Patent: July 27, 2004Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Ivan R. Brand, Scott Kilborn, Hans Kelpe, Gregg A. Austin
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Publication number: 20020195275Abstract: A remote lock-out system and method are employed with a drilling machine. The remote lock-out system includes a remote lock-out override controller capable of interrupting a drilling operation of the drilling machine. The remote lock-out override controller includes a transmitter and a receiver. A remote lock-out controller is capable of issuing a lock-out signal and a run signal, wherein the lock-out signal, when received by the HDD machine, initiates suspension of the HDD machine drilling operation, and the run signal initiates enablement of the HDD machine drilling operation. The remote lock-out controller includes a transmitter and a receiver. The HDD machine drilling operation generally includes displacing and rotating the drill string, and can further include supplying a drilling fluid through the drill string.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2002Publication date: December 26, 2002Inventors: Ivan R. Brand, Scott Kilborn, Hans Kelpe, Gregg A. Austin
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Patent number: 6408952Abstract: Systems and methods for remotely altering operation of a horizontal directional drilling machine provide for remotely disabling movement of a drill string coupled to a cutting head or reamer and, in addition, disabling dispensing of fluid, foam and/or air communicated through the drill string. A lockout signal is transmitted from a portable or hand-manipulatable remote unit operated by an operator remotely situated with respect to the drilling machine. The lockout signal is received at the drilling machine. In response to the received lockout signal, a controller of the drilling machine prevents movement of the drill string and thus the cutting head or reamer. The controller also disables dispensing of fluid, foam and/or air through the drill string in response to the received lockout signal. The controller effects transmission of a verification signal from the drilling machine to the remote location.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 1999Date of Patent: June 25, 2002Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Ivan R. Brand, Gregg A. Austin, Fred G. Delonti