Patents by Inventor Alan D. Sheidler
Alan D. Sheidler 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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Publication number: 20240347813Abstract: A thermal management system configured for use with electric engines, including hybrid electric engines, may include at least three cooling circuits. A first cooling fluid can have a first cooling fluid including a dielectric thermal fluid and can be positioned to directly remove heat from one or more batteries. A second cooling circuit can be directly thermally coupled to the first cooling circuit, and a third cooling circuit can be directly thermally coupled to the second cooling circuit. A second cooling fluid of the second cooling circuit can be an electrically conductive cooling fluid or a refrigerant, and a third cooling fluid of the third cooling circuit can be the other of the electrically conductive cooling fluid and the refrigerant. The second or third cooling circuit can be positioned to directly remove heat from one or more electronic units that are electrically coupled to the one or more batteries.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2023Publication date: October 17, 2024Inventors: Alan D. Sheidler, Thomas L. Kennedy, Paul I. Craig, Prabhdeep Virk, Zachary T. Eichelberger
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Patent number: 12017633Abstract: Embodiments of an intelligent power allocation system include a ground traction undercarriage controllable to propel a hybrid combine over terrain, a separator device configured to separate grain from other crop material ingested by the hybrid combine, a mechanical powertrain including an internal combustion engine, and an electric drive subsystem containing a rechargeable battery pack and a motor/generator (M/G). A controller architecture is configured to monitor a current separator load placed on the hybrid combine when driving movement of the separator device during active harvesting. The controller architecture further selectively places the intelligent power allocation system in a separator power splitting mode in which the M/G and the internal combustion engine concurrently drive movement of the separator device based, at least in part, on whether the current separator load exceeds an upper load threshold.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2021Date of Patent: June 25, 2024Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Alan D. Sheidler, Bhupesh Agrawal, Padmakar Surwade
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Patent number: 11674589Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame, at least one traction device coupled to the frame for facilitating movement of the vehicle, an implement coupled to the frame and configured to perform a work operation, a gearbox, a hydraulic system having a hydraulic reservoir, and an oil cooling system configured to cool the gearbox and the hydraulic system. The oil cooling system includes first and second circuits for a cooling oil, and a crossover circuit. The first circuit includes the gearbox and a first oil-to-air cooler configured to cool the cooling oil from the gearbox. The second circuit includes the hydraulic reservoir and a second oil-to-air cooler for cooling the cooling oil from the hydraulic reservoir. The crossover circuit includes the gearbox and the hydraulic reservoir and is configured to exchange the cooling oil between the gearbox and the hydraulic reservoir to provide heat transfer between the first and second circuits.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2019Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Alan D. Sheidler, Curt A. Elpers, Ryan S. Herlyn
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Patent number: 11498548Abstract: Embodiments of an intelligent hybrid powertrain system include an engine, a controller architecture, and an electric drive subsystem having a battery supply and a motor/generator. The controller architecture is configured to: (i) monitor a current state of charge (SoC) of the battery supply when the combine harvester engages in a combine harvest cycle having a tank fill phase and a tank unload phase; (ii) during the tank fill phase, operate the motor/generator to supplement the engine power output and regulate a rate of battery discharge to prevent the current SoC of the battery supply from decreasing below a lower predetermined SoC threshold prior to completion of the tank fill phase; and (iii) during the tank unload phase, operate the motor/generator to charge the battery supply until the current SoC of the battery supply is equal to or greater than a first upper predetermined SoC threshold.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2021Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Alan D. Sheidler, Padmakar Surwade, Bhupesh Agrawal
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Publication number: 20220304240Abstract: Embodiments of an intelligent power allocation system include a ground traction undercarriage controllable to propel a hybrid combine over terrain, a separator device configured to separate grain from other crop material ingested by the hybrid combine, a mechanical powertrain including an internal combustion engine, and an electric drive subsystem containing a rechargeable battery pack and a motor/generator (M/G). A controller architecture is configured to monitor a current separator load placed on the hybrid combine when driving movement of the separator device during active harvesting. The controller architecture further selectively places the intelligent power allocation system in a separator power splitting mode in which the M/G and the internal combustion engine concurrently drive movement of the separator device based, at least in part, on whether the current separator load exceeds an upper load threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2021Publication date: September 29, 2022Inventors: Alan D. Sheidler, Bhupesh Agrawal, Padmakar Surwade
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Patent number: 11439064Abstract: A work machine for harvesting crop includes a controller and an engine. The controller is configured to command operation of the engine in accordance with various power curves based on sensed factors associated with the harvested crop. The work machine stores the harvested crop in a tank to be unloaded by an unloading auger which is powered by the engine. Prior to activation of the unloading auger, the controller commands the engine to operate in accordance with a power curve associated with a reduced power level to reserve power for operation of the unloading auger.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2020Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventor: Alan D. Sheidler
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Patent number: 11339750Abstract: A combustion air filtration apparatus for filtering combustion air for an engine is disclosed. The combustion air filtration apparatus comprises a combustion air source and a filter system fluidly coupled to the combustion air source and to the engine to receive combustion air from the combustion air source and to supply filtered combustion air for the engine. The filter system comprises a first combustion air filter, a second combustion air filter flow-parallel to the first combustion air filter, and a flow control system fluidly coupled to the first combustion air filter and the second combustion air filter to direct flow of combustion air selectively between the first combustion air filter and the second combustion air filter.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2020Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Alan D. Sheidler, Cory Conner, Gary H. Knapp
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Publication number: 20220135018Abstract: Embodiments of an intelligent hybrid powertrain system include an engine, a controller architecture, and an electric drive subsystem having a battery supply and a motor/generator. The controller architecture is configured to: (i) monitor a current state of charge (SoC) of the battery supply when the combine harvester engages in a combine harvest cycle having a tank fill phase and a tank unload phase; (ii) during the tank fill phase, operate the motor/generator to supplement the engine power output and regulate a rate of battery discharge to prevent the current SoC of the battery supply from decreasing below a lower predetermined SoC threshold prior to completion of the tank fill phase; and (iii) during the tank unload phase, operate the motor/generator to charge the battery supply until the current SoC of the battery supply is equal to or greater than a first upper predetermined SoC threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2021Publication date: May 5, 2022Inventors: Alan D. Sheidler, Padmakar Surwade, Bhupesh Agrawal
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Patent number: 11293334Abstract: A cooling system includes a fan, a first fluid circuit, and a second fluid circuit. The first fluid circuit includes a first fluid, a first heat exchanger, a first exchanger bypass, and a first thermostat to selectively control flow of the first fluid between the first heat exchanger and the first exchanger bypass. The second fluid circuit is fluidly independent of the first fluid circuit. The second fluid circuit includes a second fluid separate from the first fluid, a second heat exchanger, a second exchanger bypass, and a second thermostat to selectively control flow of the second fluid between the second heat exchanger and the second exchanger bypass. The fan is positioned in proximity to the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger to cool the first fluid and the second fluid dependent upon operation of the first thermostat and the second thermostat, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2020Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventor: Alan D. Sheidler
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Publication number: 20220039319Abstract: A work machine for harvesting crop includes a controller and an engine. The controller is configured to command operation of the engine in accordance with various power curves based on sensed factors associated with the harvested crop. The work machine stores the harvested crop in a tank to be unloaded by an unloading auger which is powered by the engine. Prior to activation of the unloading auger, the controller commands the engine to operate in accordance with a power curve associated with a reduced power level to reserve power for operation of the unloading auger.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2020Publication date: February 10, 2022Inventor: Alan D. Sheidler
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Publication number: 20210340939Abstract: A combustion air filtration apparatus for filtering combustion air for an engine is disclosed. The combustion air filtration apparatus comprises a combustion air source and a filter system fluidly coupled to the combustion air source and to the engine to receive combustion air from the combustion air source and to supply filtered combustion air for the engine. The filter system comprises a first combustion air filter, a second combustion air filter flow-parallel to the first combustion air filter, and a flow control system fluidly coupled to the first combustion air filter and the second combustion air filter to direct flow of combustion air selectively between the first combustion air filter and the second combustion air filter.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2020Publication date: November 4, 2021Inventors: ALAN D. SHEIDLER, CORY CONNER, GARY H. KNAPP
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Publication number: 20210332741Abstract: A cooling system includes a fan, a first fluid circuit, and a second fluid circuit. The first fluid circuit includes a first fluid, a first heat exchanger, a first exchanger bypass, and a first thermostat to selectively control flow of the first fluid between the first heat exchanger and the first exchanger bypass. The second fluid circuit is fluidly independent of the first fluid circuit. The second fluid circuit includes a second fluid separate from the first fluid, a second heat exchanger, a second exchanger bypass, and a second thermostat to selectively control flow of the second fluid between the second heat exchanger and the second exchanger bypass.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2020Publication date: October 28, 2021Inventor: ALAN D. SHEIDLER
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Patent number: 11091026Abstract: A work vehicle including a body, a cooling system with one or more coolers, and a fan disposed adjacent to the coolers. A louver system is disposed adjacently to an inlet of the vehicle body. The louver system includes a first actuator operatively connected to a first plurality of slats and a second actuator operatively connected to a second plurality of slats. A first sensor operatively connected to a first cooler is configured to identify a first temperature of the first cooler and to generate a signal responsive to the identified first temperature. A second sensor operatively connected to a second cooler is configured to identify a second temperature of the second cooler and to generate a signal responsive to the identified second temperature. A position of the first plurality and second plurality of slats is determined respectively by the first and second temperatures.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2019Date of Patent: August 17, 2021Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Jeffery C. Mussack, Alan D. Sheidler, Garrick W. Herbst
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Patent number: 11092065Abstract: An air management assembly for a work machine, the air management assembly having a cooling orifice defined in a panel, a cooling fan generating a cooling airflow through the cooling orifice to a cooling package, at least one fixed screen positioned along an intake orifice, and a first baffle positioned at least partially between the cooling orifice and the intake orifice. Wherein, the first baffle directs the cooling airflow partially across the fixed screen to clear the fixed screen of debris.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2019Date of Patent: August 17, 2021Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Alan D. Sheidler, Garrick W. Herbst, Todd E. Van Hal
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Publication number: 20210062909Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame, at least one traction device coupled to the frame for facilitating movement of the vehicle, an implement coupled to the frame and configured to perform a work operation, a gearbox, a hydraulic system having a hydraulic reservoir, and an oil cooling system configured to cool the gearbox and the hydraulic system. The oil cooling system includes first and second circuits for a cooling oil, and a crossover circuit. The first circuit includes the gearbox and a first oil-to-air cooler configured to cool the cooling oil from the gearbox. The second circuit includes the hydraulic reservoir and a second oil-to-air cooler for cooling the cooling oil from the hydraulic reservoir. The crossover circuit includes the gearbox and the hydraulic reservoir and is configured to exchange the cooling oil between the gearbox and the hydraulic reservoir to provide heat transfer between the first and second circuits.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2019Publication date: March 4, 2021Inventors: Alan D. Sheidler, Curt A. Elpers, Ryan S. Herlyn
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Publication number: 20200338979Abstract: A work vehicle including a body, a cooling system with one or more coolers, and a fan disposed adjacent to the coolers. A louver system is disposed adjacently to an inlet of the vehicle body. The louver system includes a first actuator operatively connected to a first plurality of slats and a second actuator operatively connected to a second plurality of slats. A first sensor operatively connected to a first cooler is configured to identify a first temperature of the first cooler and to generate a signal responsive to the identified first temperature. A second sensor operatively connected to a second cooler is configured to identify a second temperature of the second cooler and to generate a signal responsive to the identified second temperature. A position of the first plurality and second plurality of slats is determined respectively by the first and second temperatures.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2019Publication date: October 29, 2020Inventors: Jeffery C. Mussack, Alan D. Sheidler, Garrick W. Herbst
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Publication number: 20200340390Abstract: An air management assembly for a work machine, the air management assembly having a cooling orifice defined in a panel, a cooling fan generating a cooling airflow through the cooling orifice to a cooling package, at least one fixed screen positioned along an intake orifice, and a first baffle positioned at least partially between the cooling orifice and the intake orifice. Wherein, the first baffle directs the cooling airflow partially across the fixed screen to clear the fixed screen of debris.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2019Publication date: October 29, 2020Inventors: Alan D. Sheidler, Garrick W. Herbst, Todd E. Van Hal
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Patent number: 10240501Abstract: A two-stage venturi cooler comprises a first tubular conduit having a longitudinal axis, the first elongate tubular conduit having an exhaust gas inlet at one end, a mixed gas outlet at an opposing end, and a cooling gas inlet, wherein structures inside the first stage define a venturi that forms a column of mixed gas, wherein the column of mixed gas comprises a ring of exhaust gas surrounding a core of cooling gas; and a second tubular conduit that is coaxial with the first tubular conduit, wherein the second tubular conduit has a mixed gas inlet at one end and a mixed gas outlet at an opposing end, and wherein the mixed gas inlet is to receive the column of mixed gas and to surround the column of mixed gas with an entrained column of ambient air.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2016Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Alan D. Sheidler, Sai K. Nandigam, Tyler L. Holp, Xijun Wang
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Publication number: 20170292421Abstract: A two-stage venturi cooler comprises a first tubular conduit having a longitudinal axis, the first elongate tubular conduit having an exhaust gas inlet at one end, a mixed gas outlet at an opposing end, and a cooling gas inlet, wherein structures inside the first stage define a venturi that forms a column of mixed gas, wherein the column of mixed gas comprises a ring of exhaust gas surrounding a core of cooling gas; and a second tubular conduit that is coaxial with the first tubular conduit, wherein the second tubular conduit has a mixed gas inlet at one end and a mixed gas outlet at an opposing end, and wherein the mixed gas inlet is to receive the column of mixed gas and to surround the column of mixed gas with an entrained column of ambient air.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2016Publication date: October 12, 2017Inventors: Alan D. Sheidler, Sai K. Nandigam, Tyler L. Holp, Xijun Wang
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Patent number: 9752492Abstract: A method for controlling a fan. The method includes determining an actual air flow over an engine of a vehicle at a current time, and determining a necessary air flow over the engine for maintaining an appropriate engine coolant temperature. The actual air flow is associated with the vehicle traveling in a first direction. The method further includes estimating a future air flow over the engine that is associated with the vehicle travelling in a second direction. The method also includes controlling a fan operating characteristic based on the actual, necessary, and future air flows.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2015Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventor: Alan D. Sheidler