Patents Assigned to Clark Equipment Company
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Patent number: 11493033Abstract: An air compressor system includes a motor operably connected to an air compressor, a separator tank fluidly connected to the air compressor by a supply line, a compressed air line coupled to the separator tank, a service valve connected to the compressed air line and positioned downstream of the separator tank, and a controller in operable communication with the motor, wherein in response to the controller detecting the motor operating at an idle speed, the controller reduces the motor speed to a low idle speed and reduces pressure in the separator tank, the low idle speed being slower than the idle speed.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2018Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: CLARK EQUIPMENT COMPANYInventors: Petr Jindra, Ctibor Balas, Jaromir Nusl
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Patent number: 11485194Abstract: An HVAC system for a power machine can include a housing configured to be supported on a front frame member of the power machine forward of an operator enclosure. A ductwork section can be connected to the housing and direct air from the housing to a front opening in the operator enclosure.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2020Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: CLARK EQUIPMENT COMPANYInventors: Mark Binstock, Mitchell Pence
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Patent number: 11447930Abstract: A hydraulic work system can include a continuously variable displacement hydraulic pump that is powered by an engine and is in communication with a hydraulic actuator. A run-time displacement of the hydraulic pump for movement of the hydraulic actuator can be controlled based on a speed of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2020Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: CLARK EQUIPMENT COMPANYInventors: Charles Young, Marty Carpenter, Scott Becker, Douglas Kallas, Matthew Kaldor, Eric Zabel
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Patent number: 11391300Abstract: A control system is provided for a power machine that includes a hydraulic charge circuit with a hydraulic charge pump, and a variable displacement drive pump. A signal for control of displacement of the drive pump can be diverted from the hydraulic charge circuit downstream from the pump, including via a flow path that branches from the hydraulic charge circuit from a location upstream of a hydraulic load.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2020Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignee: CLARK EQUIPMENT COMPANYInventors: Douglas Kallas, Charles Young, Sloan Balo
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Patent number: 11383775Abstract: Track assemblies (242; 300) for power machines (100; 200) include a track frame (243; 302), including a primary portion (304) and a second portion (306) moveable with respect to the primary portion. A plurality of rollers (248; 316) are positioned along the primary portion of the track frame relative to each other and the center of gravity of the power machine to provide an improved capability to compensate for vibration generated as the power machine moves over a support surface. In some aspects, a portion of a tensioning idler (e.g., 310) is positioned within a cylinder defined by one of the plurality of rollers.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2020Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: Clark Equipment CompanyInventors: Craig R. Roske, Scott J. LaCoe
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Patent number: 11384834Abstract: A control system for a hydrostatic drive system can include a hydraulic charge pump circuit having a hydraulic load and a tank. The hydraulic charge pump can be in fluid communication with the hydraulic charge pump circuit. A bypass line can extend to the tank from a junction between the hydraulic charge pump and the hydraulic load. A charge bypass valve can be disposed to control flow through the bypass line. The control system can include a control device configured to determine one or more operational parameters for the power machine and control the charge bypass valve to allow flow through the bypass line, from the hydraulic charge pump to the tank, based on the determined operational parameters during a starting operation.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2020Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: CLARK EQUIPMENT COMPANYInventors: Douglas Kallas, Charles Young
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Patent number: 11372405Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include power machines or loaders, and systems used on loaders, configured to augment the control of the loader to accomplish repetitive tasks. Also disclosed are methods of learning a task for augmented control of a loader, and methods of controlling a loader to perform a learned task to provide augmented control of the loader.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2019Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: Clark Equipment CompanyInventors: John Pfaff, John Hoaby
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Patent number: 11352063Abstract: Power machine frames, and corresponding power machines such as skid steer loaders, have fully arcuate access aperture features formed in a first frame panel providing access to a volume internal to the first frame panel or otherwise positioned interior to the frame. The fully arcuate access aperture has a fully arcuate perimeter in the first frame panel.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2019Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: CLARK EQUIPMENT COMPANYInventors: Brent Durkin, Michael J. Schmidt
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Patent number: 11339041Abstract: Power machines and control systems used thereon include a lift cylinder, a tilt cylinder, and a slave cylinder mechanically connected to assist the lift cylinder with raising a boom. With a lift control valve controlled to cause extension of the lift cylinder to raise the boom, pressure from a hydraulic source is provided to the slave cylinder to aid in raising the boom. Resulting increased pressure on a side of the slave cylinder opens load holding valves, allowing hydraulic pressure from the tilt cylinder to be communicated to the slave cylinder such that tilt cylinder pressure due to a heavy load on an implement aids in raising the boom.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2017Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: CLARK EQUIPMENT COMPANYInventor: Nicolas Gales
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Patent number: 11333115Abstract: Fuel recirculation methods, fuel supply circuits and fuel recirculation valves for selectively mixing hot return fuel from a diesel engine with fuel from a tank before providing it to back to the engine. In exemplary disclosed embodiments of fuel recirculation valves, the valves are configured to selectively mix the fuel in a controlled manner using a temperature sensitive actuator within the valve such that, when the temperature of the fuel reaches a certain point, the valve restricts flow pathways to reduce heated fuel being mixed with fuel from the fuel tank, and eventually closes to prevent any heated fuel from being mixed and overheating the fuel provided to a fuel filter, a fuel pump and the engine. Disclosed fuel circulation valves are separate from the fuel filter and are placed upstream of the filter.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2016Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: CLARK EQUIPMENT COMPANYInventors: Shaun Riveland, Ryan Wenz, Brandon Kisse, Justin Muscha
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Patent number: 11316346Abstract: A mobile power source includes an electrical generator, a controller, a resistor, and a user-activated switch positioned on a control panel of the electrical generator, the user-activated switch is configured to move between at least a first position and a second position. In response to the user-activated switch being in the first position, the resistor is configured to act as a terminating resistor at one end of a controller area network (CAN) bus of a power generation system, and in response to the user-activated switch being in the second position, the resistor is configured to be prevented from acting as the terminating resistor of the CAN bus.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2021Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: Clark Equipment CompanyInventors: Nicholas Harknett, Sean Herman
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Patent number: 11305812Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include steering circuits utilizing a controllable cross-feed loop between left and right drive motor sides of an articulated power machine to reduce skidding caused by a turning operation in which an articulation actuator changes an articulation joint angle between a front frame member and a rear frame member of the power machine.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2020Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: CLARK EQUIPMENT COMPANYInventors: Kevin J. Zent, Daniel J. Krieger
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Patent number: 11281210Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include power machines such as loaders, and systems used on power machines, configured to detect the presence of an object in a zone adjacent the rear or sides of the power machine and to responsively control the power machine to stop or slow work functions.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2019Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: CLARK EQUIPMENT COMPANYInventor: John Pfaff
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Patent number: 11260730Abstract: A cab for a power machine having a side window and a rear window each hingedly connected to the same one of a right rear cab frame post and a left rear cab frame post such that when the side window and rear window are both opened by latches to rotate outward relative to the same rear post an airflow path is created diagonally across the operator between a front corner of the cab and an opposite rear corner of the cab.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2020Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: CLARK EQUIPMENT COMPANYInventor: Mark W. Binstock
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Patent number: 11260921Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include track mounts configured to secure a track assembly to a frame of a power machine, and power machines including the same. The track mounts include a mounting flange which secures to a side of the power machine frame. The track mounts also include a connecting structure extending between the mounting flange and a tack frame of the track assembly.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2019Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: CLARK EQUIPMENT COMPANYInventor: Cameron Hanson
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Patent number: 11255070Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include power machines, implement coupling systems and methods in which hydraulic or electric coupling between an implement and the power machine is made automatically using an existing actuator, for example a tilt actuator, of the power machine. Thus, additional actuators are not required to achieve hydraulic or electric coupling. In exemplary embodiments, power coupling is also free from the process of mechanically coupling the implement to the implement carrier. Also, in exemplary embodiments, a machine side coupler assembly moves with the implement after a connection is established, despite the implement coupler assembly being removed from the implement carrier. This allows the same implement carrier to be used on all similarly sized machines.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2019Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: Clark Equipment CompanyInventors: Dennis Agnew, Brent C. Durkin, Caren A. Loebs, Daniel J. Krieger
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Patent number: 11234365Abstract: A mower deck includes a top deck, a front wall, a rear wall opposite the front wall and a first side wall. The first side wall extends between the front and rear walls. A front baffle assembly extends downwardly from the top deck. The front baffle assembly extends from the first side wall toward a discharge opening that is positioned between the front and rear walls at a discharge side of the top deck. The front baffle assembly is configured to urge cut grass and debris toward the discharge opening. A discharge baffle is positioned proximate a rear end of the discharge opening and extends downwardly from the top deck. The discharge baffle and the rear wall define a discharge gap. The discharge gap is positioned on an opposite side of the discharge baffle from the discharge opening. The discharge gap is configured to allow airflow into the mower deck.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2018Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: CLARK EQUIPMENT COMPANYInventors: Randy Hilgart, Mark J. Wegner, Jeff Zur, Anthony S. Weber
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Patent number: 11208782Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include post driving implements which attach to a power machine such as a loader in order to pick up posts of various sizes and materials and/or to drive the posts into the ground. In some exemplary disclosed embodiments, the post driving implement allows a post to be picked up when positioned inline with a direction of power machine travel and allows the post to rotate under the force of gravity to a second position in which the post is inline with a pounding mechanism for pounding the post into the ground. Catch mechanisms can be included to capture a portion of the implement to maintain the post in the second position until a release action is taken or a release command is given.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2020Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: CLARK EQUIPMENT COMPANYInventors: Cody Erhardt, Brian Dehnert, Patrick Link
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Patent number: 11168712Abstract: A hydraulic assembly for an extendable lift arm assembly can include an extension cylinder, a leveling cylinder, a main control valve, a flow combiner/divider, and one or more flow-blocking arrangements. The main control valve can be configured to control commanded movement of the extension and leveling cylinders of the lift arm assembly. The flow combiner/divider can be configured to hydraulically link the extension cylinder with the leveling cylinder for synchronized operation of the extension cylinder and the leveling cylinder. The one or more flow-blocking arrangements can be configured to restrict flow from rod or base ends of the leveling or extension cylinders during commanded extension or retraction of the leveling and extension cylinders, or in the absence of commanded movement of the leveling and extension cylinders, to maintain synchronized orientation of the leveling and extension cylinders.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2020Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: CLARK EQUIPMENT COMPANYInventors: Kevin Zent, David Glasser, Scott LaCoe, Daniel Krieger, Matthew Kaldor
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Patent number: D969752Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2019Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: Clark Equipment CompanyInventors: Tomas Pastier, Jan Smekal, Gul Nalcaci