Patents by Inventor Kevin B. DeVries

Kevin B. DeVries 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: 12044187
    Abstract: A power system for a work vehicle, includes an intake arrangement configured to intake charge air; a fuel arrangement configured to provide at least one fuel; a compression ignition engine including a plurality of piston-cylinder sets configured to receive, ignite, and combust the at least one fuel from the fuel arrangement and intake gas that includes the charge air from the intake arrangement to generate mechanical power and exhaust gas; at least one compression ignition assistance apparatus associated with at least one of the intake arrangement and the fuel arrangement; and a controller coupled to command the compression ignition assistance apparatus, the intake arrangement, and the fuel arrangement such that, in an enhancement mode, the controller commands activation of the compression ignition assistance apparatus; and in a nominal mode, the controller commands or maintains deactivation of the compression ignition assistance apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Kevin B. DeVries, Craig W. Lohmann, Danan Dou
  • Publication number: 20240209806
    Abstract: A power system for a work vehicle, includes an intake arrangement configured to intake charge air; a fuel arrangement configured to provide at least one fuel; a compression ignition engine including a plurality of piston-cylinder sets configured to receive, ignite, and combust the at least one fuel from the fuel arrangement and intake gas that includes the charge air from the intake arrangement to generate mechanical power and exhaust gas; at least one compression ignition assistance apparatus associated with at least one of the intake arrangement and the fuel arrangement; and a controller coupled to command the compression ignition assistance apparatus, the intake arrangement, and the fuel arrangement such that, in an enhancement mode, the controller commands activation of the compression ignition assistance apparatus; and in a nominal mode, the controller commands or maintains deactivation of the compression ignition assistance apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2022
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Inventors: Kevin B. DeVries, Craig W. Lohmann, Danan Dou
  • Publication number: 20240209805
    Abstract: A power system for a work vehicle includes a compression ignition engine with piston-cylinder set that defines a compression ratio. The engine further includes a piston actuation arrangement coupled to the piston of the first piston-cylinder set and configured to be repositioned to dynamically modify the compression ratio of the first piston-cylinder set. The system includes a controller coupled to command the first piston actuation arrangement such that, in an auto-ignition assistance mode, the first piston actuation arrangement places the first piston into a first configuration resulting in a first compression ratio; and in a nominal mode, the first piston actuation arrangement places the first piston into a second configuration resulting a second compression ratio that is lower than the first compression ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2022
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Inventors: Kevin B. DeVries, Craig W. Lohmann, Danan Dou
  • Patent number: 5082387
    Abstract: A pivot joint for a rotary lever has a spacer extending axially from a foundation such as an engine motor component. The spacer includes a cylindrical ferrule. A rotary lever and a belleville spring, both having a bore of a size to fit over the outside of the ferrule in a sliding fit, are slid over the ferrule. The belleville spring has an uncompressed cone height to thickness ratio of 1.4 to 1.8 and is compressed by at least 50% of the uncompressed cone height. The joint also includes a means for fastening the spacer to the foundation and a means for securing the lever and belleville spring onto the ferrule. The securing means bears against the free end of the ferrule to compress the spring to provide a substantially uniform operating torque from one assembly to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1992
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventor: Kevin B. DeVries