Patents by Inventor Andy B. Appleton
Andy B. Appleton 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: 11904871Abstract: A policy map is obtained that includes a first set of machine settings values for controlling a machine to perform an operation at a site, at different locations in the field. An adjustment component receives sensor signals indicating conditions that will be encountered by the machine in the future, as it moves through the site. A cost determination component determines whether an adjustment is to be made to the first set of settings values, based upon the sensor signals. A predictive vehicle model provides an expected vehicle response, based upon the adjusted settings values that are selected. Control signals are generated based upon adjusted setting values that are generated from the policy map, the expected vehicle response, and the future condition sensor signals. The control signal generator generates the control signals to control a set of controllable subsystems.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2019Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Andy B. Appleton, Nohoon Kl, Wissam H. El-Ratal, Rui Zhang, Justin T. Roth
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Patent number: 11345351Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for adaptive power take-off (PTO) droop control for a self-propelled work vehicle having an engine and a PTO device directly mechanically coupled to the engine. The systems and methods enable user selection of at least one of a target ground speed or a target power take off (PTO) speed. The systems and methods are responsive to at least one of the selected target ground speed or the selected target PTO speed to identify a maximum transmission ground drive efficiency corresponding to an effective droop value within a defined droop range. The systems and methods control an actual engine speed and an actual transmission ratio to respective adjusted target values corresponding with the maximum transmission ground drive efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2020Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventor: Andy B. Appleton
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Publication number: 20220135038Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for adaptive power take-off (PTO) droop control for a self-propelled work vehicle having an engine and a PTO device directly mechanically coupled to the engine. The systems and methods enable user selection of at least one of a target ground speed or a target power take off (PTO) speed. The systems and methods are responsive to at least one of the selected target ground speed or the selected target PTO speed to identify a maximum transmission ground drive efficiency corresponding to an effective droop value within a defined droop range. The systems and methods control an actual engine speed and an actual transmission ratio to respective adjusted target values corresponding with the maximum transmission ground drive efficiency.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2020Publication date: May 5, 2022Inventor: Andy B. Appleton
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Publication number: 20210129853Abstract: A policy map is obtained that includes a first set of machine settings values for controlling a machine to perform an operation at a site, at different locations in the field. An adjustment component receives sensor signals indicating conditions that will be encountered by the machine in the future, as it moves through the site. A cost determination component determines whether an adjustment is to be made to the first set of settings values, based upon the sensor signals. A predictive vehicle model provides an expected vehicle response, based upon the adjusted settings values that are selected. Control signals are generated based upon adjusted setting values that are generated from the policy map, the expected vehicle response, and the future condition sensor signals. The control signal generator generates the control signals to control a set of controllable subsystems.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2019Publication date: May 6, 2021Inventors: Andy B. APPLETON, Nohoon Kl, Wissam H. EL-RATAL, Rui ZHANG, Justin T. ROTH
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Patent number: 10955302Abstract: The system and method determines the torque applied to a rotating shaft by a load. A first sensor detects rotation of a first wheel and a second sensor detects rotation of a second wheel. A third sensor is proximate to the first sensor. A processor determines: 1) a magnitude of a phase angle (?A) based on the first and second sensors and having an unknown sign; 2) a magnitude of a phase angle (?B) based on the second and third sensors and having an unknown sign; and 3) a magnitude of a phase angle (?C) based on the first and third sensors and having a known sign. The processor determines a sign of the phase angle (?A) based on the values of the phase angles (?B) and (?C) and determines a torque value from the load applied to the shaft at least in part based on the magnitude and sign of the phase angle (?A).Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2018Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Andy B. Appleton, Robert J. White
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Patent number: 10801935Abstract: A work machine with a chassis, a wheel hub rotationally coupled to the chassis, a tire coupled to the wheel hub and configured to engage an underlying surface, and a controller communicating with a plurality of sensors and having a memory unit. Wherein, the controller stores tire data for the tire in the memory unit and the controller determines a cone index of the underlying surface of the work machine based on the tire data and the plurality of sensors.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2018Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Nohoon Ki, Andy B. Appleton, Wissam H. El-Ratal, Rui Zhang, Justin T. Roth
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Publication number: 20200116580Abstract: The system and method determines the torque applied to a rotating shaft by a load. A first sensor detects rotation of a first wheel and a second sensor detects rotation of a second wheel. A third sensor is proximate to the first sensor. A processor determines: 1) a magnitude of a phase angle (?A) based on the first and second sensors and having an unknown sign; 2) a magnitude of a phase angle (?B) based on the second and third sensors and having an unknown sign; and 3) a magnitude of a phase angle (?C) based on the first and third sensors and having a known sign. The processor determines a sign of the phase angle (?A) based on the values of the phase angles (?C) and (?C) and determines a torque value from the load applied to the shaft at least in part based on the magnitude and sign of the phase angle (?A).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2018Publication date: April 16, 2020Inventors: Andy B. Appleton, Robert J. White
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Patent number: 10569776Abstract: A tractor includes an engine, a transmission coupled to the engine, a hydraulic pump driven by the engine, at least one of a tractor implement, attachment, or control moved by the hydraulic pump, a sensor, and a controller coupled to the transmission. The controller is configured to downshift the transmission based on a signal from the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2017Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventor: Andy B. Appleton
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Publication number: 20190219489Abstract: A work machine with a chassis, a wheel hub rotationally coupled to the chassis, a tire coupled to the wheel hub and configured to engage an underlying surface, and a controller communicating with a plurality of sensors and having a memory unit. Wherein, the controller stores tire data for the tire in the memory unit and the controller determines a cone index of the underlying surface of the work machine based on the tire data and the plurality of sensors.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2018Publication date: July 18, 2019Inventors: Nohoon Ki, Andy B. Appleton, Wissam H. El-Ratal, Rui Zhang, Justin T. Roth
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Publication number: 20190168759Abstract: A tractor includes an engine, a transmission coupled to the engine, a hydraulic pump driven by the engine, at least one of a tractor implement, attachment, or control moved by the hydraulic pump, a sensor, and a controller coupled to the transmission. The controller is configured to downshift the transmission based on a signal from the sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2017Publication date: June 6, 2019Inventor: Andy B. Appleton
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Patent number: 9665119Abstract: An interface or throttle control assembly includes a housing and first and second wheel rotatably supported by the housing adjacent to each other. The assembly also includes a pair of tabs, each projecting from a corresponding one of the wheels. The tabs are engagable with each other. The assembly also includes a latch mechanism which mounted on one of the wheels. The latch mechanism is movable to a latched position engaging the other wheel so that the wheels rotate together, and is movable to an unlatched position so that the wheels can be rotated independently of each other.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2015Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventor: Andy B. Appleton
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Patent number: 9528428Abstract: A vehicle cooling system includes a fan, a radiator, a charge air cooler upstream of the radiator, an air conduit supplying air to the charge air cooler, and a cooler for cooling the charge air cooler or air flowing through the air conduit. The cooler includes a housing surrounding a portion of the air conduit, an injector for injecting water into a space between the cooler housing and the air conduit, an outlet pipe for conducting vaporized water out of the space, and a pump for pumping water from a source to the injector. The cooler also includes heat conducting vanes which extend into the space and into an interior of the air conduit.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2014Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventor: Andy B. Appleton
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Publication number: 20160231768Abstract: An interface or throttle control assembly includes a housing and first and second wheel rotatably supported by the housing adjacent to each other. The assembly also includes a pair of tabs, each projecting from a corresponding one of the wheels. The tabs are engagable with each other. The assembly also includes a latch mechanism which mounted on one of the wheels. The latch mechanism is movable to a latched position engaging the other wheel so that the wheels rotate together, and is movable to an unlatched position so that the wheels can be rotated independently of each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2015Publication date: August 11, 2016Inventor: ANDY B. APPLETON
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Patent number: 9334944Abstract: A variable-speed belt drive pulley assembly includes a plurality of pulley segments, a plurality of sliders, and a rotatable hub. Each segment is adapted to engage a drive belt and is mounted to an outer end of a corresponding slider which is slidably received by the hub. Each slider may be a pair of rods extending from the body in parallel relationship to each other. The hub has a plurality of bores. Each bore slidably receives a corresponding one of the rods. An actuator device moves the segments radially inwardly and outwardly with respect to the hub. A coil spring is mounted on each the rods, and is biased to urge one of the segments radially outwardly.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2014Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventor: Andy B. Appleton
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Patent number: 9328652Abstract: A vehicle cooling system includes a fan, a radiator upstream of the fan and in a first air flow path, a charge air cooler upstream of the radiator in the first air flow path, a fuel cooler upstream of the radiator in the first air flow path, and a hydraulic oil cooler adjacent to a side of the radiator and upstream of the fan and in a second air flow path which is parallel to the first air flow path. A condenser is positioned in the first air flow path between the fuel cooler and the radiator. The hydraulic oil cooler has an upstream side which is unobscured by any other cooling system components. The hydraulic oil cooler includes first and second hydraulic oil cooler units connected together in series. A portion of the hydraulic oil cooler is positioned above a top side of the radiator.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2014Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Paul T. Bruss, Andy B. Appleton, Adam J. Shuttleworth, Michael J. Schuller, Kendall L. Giesmann
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Publication number: 20160102602Abstract: A vehicle cooling system includes a fan, a radiator, a charge air cooler upstream of the radiator, an air conduit supplying air to the charge air cooler, and a cooler for cooling the charge air cooler or air flowing through the air conduit. The cooler includes a housing surrounding a portion of the air conduit, an injector for injecting water into a space between the cooler housing and the air conduit, an outlet pipe for conducting vaporized water out of the space, and a pump for pumping water from a source to the injector. The cooler also includes heat conducting vanes which extend into the space and into an interior of the air conduit.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2014Publication date: April 14, 2016Inventor: ANDY B. APPLETON
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Publication number: 20160040772Abstract: A variable-speed belt drive pulley assembly includes a plurality of pulley segments, a plurality of sliders, and a rotatable hub. Each segment is adapted to engage a drive belt and is mounted to an outer end of a corresponding slider which is slidably received by the hub. Each slider may be a pair of rods extending from the body in parallel relationship to each other. The hub has a plurality of bores. Each bore slidably receives a corresponding one of the rods. An actuator device moves the segments radially inwardly and outwardly with respect to the hub. A coil spring is mounted on each the rods, and is biased to urge one of the segments radially outwardly.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2014Publication date: February 11, 2016Inventor: ANDY B. APPLETON
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Publication number: 20150369114Abstract: A vehicle cooling system includes a fan, a radiator upstream of the fan and in a first air flow path, a charge air cooler upstream of the radiator in the first air flow path, a fuel cooler upstream of the radiator in the first air flow path, and a hydraulic oil cooler adjacent to a side of the radiator and upstream of the fan and in a second air flow path which is parallel to the first air flow path. A condenser is positioned in the first air flow path between the fuel cooler and the radiator. The hydraulic oil cooler has an upstream side which is unobscured by any other cooling system components. The hydraulic oil cooler includes first and second hydraulic oil cooler units connected together in series. A portion of the hydraulic oil cooler is positioned above a top side of the radiator.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2014Publication date: December 24, 2015Inventors: PAUL T. BRUSS, ANDY B. APPLETON, ADAM J. SHUTTLEWORTH, MICHAEL J. SCHULLER, KENDALL L. GIESMANN
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Patent number: 5919026Abstract: A method for unloading refuse contained in a container having a bottom discharge door into an interior of a storage body of a refuse collection vehicle having an access opening includes the steps of raising the container above the access opening of the storage body, lowering the container through the access opening to position the bottom discharge door within the interior of the storage body and opening the discharge door to unload refuse from the container into the interior of the storage body. A refuse collection vehicle includes a storage body, an intermediate container and a lift. The storage body has a plurality of walls defining an interior and an access opening. The intermediate container is movably supported adjacent to the storage body and includes a top opening, a bottom, a plurality of walls therebetween defining an interior and a discharge opening adjacent the bottom and at least one door adjacent the bottom for selectively opening and closing the discharge opening.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 1997Date of Patent: July 6, 1999Assignee: Kann Manufacturing CorporationInventor: Andy B. Appleton
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Patent number: 5769501Abstract: A multiple compartment storage body for a refuse collection vehicle includes a floor, a roof, a plurality of walls extending between the floor and the roof, a partition and a bulkhead latch. The partition has a first opposing end portion pivotally coupled intermediate the floor and the roof between the walls to allow a second opposing end portion to pivot between the floor and the roof. The bulkhead latch is pivotally supported adjacent the roof and extends from the roof proximate the second opposing end portion. A lower most section of the plurality of sections includes a support member for engaging and supporting the second opposing end portion of the partition between the floor and the roof. The vertical distance the bulkhead vertically extends below the roof is adjustable to adjust a distance at which the second opposing end portion of the partition is supported above the floor.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 1996Date of Patent: June 23, 1998Assignee: Kann Manufacturing CorporationInventors: Dirk C. Kann, Virgil L. Collins, Andy B. Appleton