Patents by Inventor AUSTIN B. STEPHENS

AUSTIN B. STEPHENS 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: 11015662
    Abstract: A clutch assembly includes a housing, a rotational member configured to rotate relative to the housing about an axis, and a clutch pack coupled between the housing and the rotational member. The clutch pack is configured to regulate movement of the rotational member relative to the housing. The clutch pack includes a speed sensor ring coupled to the rotational member such that the speed sensor ring is configured to rotate with the rotational member about the axis. The clutch assembly includes a sensor in communication with the speed sensor ring. The sensor is configured to measure an angular velocity of the rotational member relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Jeffrey S. Turner, Austin B. Stephens, Kevin M. Allen, Jacob E. Morris
  • Patent number: 10975938
    Abstract: A combination starter-generator device is provided for a work vehicle having an engine. The starter-generator device includes an electric machine; a gear set configured to couple the electric machine and the engine in first and second power flow directions, the gear set configured to operate in one of at least first, second, and third gear ratios in the first power flow direction and at least a fourth gear ratio in the second power flow direction; at least one clutch selectively coupled to the gear set to effect the first, second, and third gear ratios in the first power flow direction and the fourth gear ratio in the second power flow direction; and an actuator assembly including at least one electromagnet configured to selectively shift the at least one clutch between disengaged and engaged positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Lisa R. Lloyd, Stacy K. Worley, Austin B. Stephens, Jacob E. Morris
  • Publication number: 20210018051
    Abstract: A clutch assembly includes a housing, a rotational member configured to rotate relative to the housing about an axis, and a clutch pack coupled between the housing and the rotational member. The clutch pack is configured to regulate movement of the rotational member relative to the housing. The clutch pack includes a speed sensor ring coupled to the rotational member such that the speed sensor ring is configured to rotate with the rotational member about the axis. The clutch assembly includes a sensor in communication with the speed sensor ring. The sensor is configured to measure an angular velocity of the rotational member relative to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Jeffrey S. Turner, Austin B. Stephens, Kevin M. Allen, Jacob E. Morris
  • Publication number: 20200332866
    Abstract: A combination starter-generator device is provided for a work vehicle having an engine. The starter-generator device includes an electric machine; a gear set configured to couple the electric machine and the engine in first and second power flow directions, the gear set configured to operate in one of at least first, second, and third gear ratios in the first power flow direction and at least a fourth gear ratio in the second power flow direction; at least one clutch selectively coupled to the gear set to effect the first, second, and third gear ratios in the first power flow direction and the fourth gear ratio in the second power flow direction; and an actuator assembly including at least one electromagnet configured to selectively shift the at least one clutch between disengaged and engaged positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Lisa R. Lloyd, Stacy K. Worley, Austin B. Stephens, Jacob E. Morris
  • Patent number: 10400882
    Abstract: A product and method for assembling multiple components using an interference fit. An assembled product includes a first component, with a second component configured to mate with the first component so that the second component is removable from the first component for a positional adjustment. A third component is configured to mate with the first component and to be engaged therewith by a first interference fit. The first interference fit is configured to impart a resultant reaction in the first component that creates a second interference fit between the first and second components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Darren J. Ziskovsky, Jeffrey S. Turner, Austin B. Stephens
  • Publication number: 20190113124
    Abstract: A product and method for assembling multiple components using an interference fit. An assembled product includes a first component, with a second component configured to mate with the first component so that the second component is removable from the first component for a positional adjustment. A third component is configured to mate with the first component and to be engaged therewith by a first interference fit. The first interference fit is configured to impart a resultant reaction in the first component that creates a second interference fit between the first and second components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: Darren J. Ziskovsky, Jeffrey S. Turner, Austin B. Stephens
  • Patent number: 10233962
    Abstract: A threaded retainer in the form of a flange head capscrew is used alone or in combination with a large diameter washer to axially, frictionally engage a head of, or block, a threaded fastener so as to prevent the fastener from backing out and becoming loose. Any tendency of the threaded fastener to turn in a loosening direction is resisted by the threaded retainer, in a first embodiment, wherein frictional engagement between the flange head and/or large diameter washer causes the threaded retainer to tend to tighten, and in a second embodiment wherein the flange head and/or large diameter washer cooperates with a recess arrangement in the fastener to block loosening of the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Darren Ziskovsky, Austin B. Stephens, Jeffrey S. Turner
  • Patent number: 9915305
    Abstract: A friction drive arrangement includes a plurality of interleaved rotor and stator discs. An end stator disc is adjacent a reaction plate containing a plurality of cylindrical, stepped bores defining spring receptacles opening toward the end stator disc and pin guide holes opening in an opposite direction. Each receptacle contains a coil compression spring located between a bottom of the receptacle and a spring retention pin having a first end section reciprocably received in the guide hole and having a second end section defined by a large diameter foot located between an end of the spring and the end stator disc, with the foot being configured for directly engaging the end stator disc. A tool is used to retract the pins and associated springs into the associated receptacles so as to retain the springs during assembly. Excess retraction of the pins is prevented for preventing over-compression of the springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Austin B. Stephens, Jeffrey S. Turner
  • Patent number: 9908515
    Abstract: A drive assembly has a drive motor at least in part contained in a housing and having a rotor rotating an output shaft. A selector mechanism is movable into one of a plurality of orientations corresponding to one of a plurality of drive motor settings. A brake assembly is configured to couple to the rotor of the drive motor and is moveable between a braked position in which the brake assembly impedes rotation of the rotor and a released position in which the brake assembly allows rotation of the rotor. An actuator is arranged in the housing to engage the brake assembly at least when the brake assembly is in the braked position and to engage the selector mechanism at least when the brake assembly is in the released position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Darren J. Ziskovsky, Austin B. Stephens
  • Publication number: 20170356485
    Abstract: A threaded retainer in the form of a flange head capscrew is used alone or in combination with a large diameter washer to axially, frictionally engage a head of, or block, a threaded fastener so as to prevent the fastener from backing out and becoming loose. Any tendency of the threaded fastener to turn in a loosening direction is resisted by the threaded retainer, in a first embodiment, wherein frictional engagement between the flange head and/or large diameter washer causes the threaded retainer to tend to tighten, and in a second embodiment wherein the flange head and/or large diameter washer cooperates with a recess arrangement in the fastener to block loosening of the fastener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: DARREN ZISKOVSKY, AUSTIN B. STEPHENS, JEFFREY S. TURNER
  • Publication number: 20170356512
    Abstract: A friction drive arrangement includes a plurality of interleaved rotor and stator discs. An end stator disc is adjacent a reaction plate containing a plurality of cylindrical, stepped bores defining spring receptacles opening toward the end stator disc and pin guide holes opening in an opposite direction. Each receptacle contains a coil compression spring located between a bottom of the receptacle and a spring retention pin having a first end section reciprocably received in the guide hole and having a second end section defined by a large diameter foot located between an end of the spring and the end stator disc, with the foot being configured for directly engaging the end stator disc. A tool is used to retract the pins and associated springs into the associated receptacles so as to retain the springs during assembly. Excess retraction of the pins is prevented for preventing over-compression of the springs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: AUSTIN B. STEPHENS, JEFFREY S. TURNER
  • Patent number: 9638310
    Abstract: A drive assembly is disclosed, including a housing cylinder having a cap end and an attachment end including a first attachment surface, with gear teeth being disposed around an inner circumference forming at least one ring gear. The housing cylinder encloses a planetary gear set including at least one sun gear and at least one set of planet gears. An output interface includes an interface body having an annular attachment lip including a second attachment surface. The first attachment surface contacts, and is connected, as by welding, to the second attachment surface, whereby rotational power may be transmitted from the planetary gear set to the output interface via the gear teeth and the contact between the attachment surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Darren J. Ziskovsky, Steven R. Fliearman, Jeffrey S. Turner, Kyle K. McKinzie, Austin B. Stephens
  • Publication number: 20160377135
    Abstract: A drive assembly has a drive motor at least in part contained in a housing and having a rotor rotating an output shaft. A selector mechanism is movable into one of a plurality of orientations corresponding to one of a plurality of drive motor settings. A brake assembly is configured to couple to the rotor of the drive motor and is moveable between a braked position in which the brake assembly impedes rotation of the rotor and a released position in which the brake assembly allows rotation of the rotor. An actuator is arranged in the housing to engage the brake assembly at least when the brake assembly is in the braked position and to engage the selector mechanism at least when the brake assembly is in the released position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: DARREN J. ZISKOVSKY, AUSTIN B. STEPHENS
  • Publication number: 20160377163
    Abstract: A drive assembly is disclosed, including a housing cylinder having a cap end and an attachment end including a first attachment surface, with gear teeth being disposed around an inner circumference forming at least one ring gear. The housing cylinder encloses a planetary gear set including at least one sun gear and at least one set of planet gears. An output interface includes an interface body having an annular attachment lip including a second attachment surface. The first attachment surface contacts, and is connected, as by welding, to the second attachment surface, whereby rotational power may be transmitted from the planetary gear set to the output interface via the gear teeth and the contact between the attachment surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: DARREN J. ZISKOVSKY, STEVEN R. FLIEARMAN, JEFFREY S. TURNER, KYLE K. MCKINZIE, AUSTIN B. STEPHENS