Patents by Inventor Benjamin J. Hertel

Benjamin J. Hertel 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: 11654900
    Abstract: A control system includes a transmission and a controller configured to receive a vehicle stop command; determine a ground speed; compare the ground speed to first and second predetermined speed thresholds; generate, when the ground speed exceeds the second predetermined speed threshold, a downshift command; generate, when the ground speed is greater than the first predetermined speed threshold and less than or equal to the second predetermined speed threshold, a shuttle shift command; determine, when the ground speed is less than or equal to the first predetermined speed threshold, if the transmission is operating in the first or second mode; select, upon determining the operating mode, a four-square clutch; and at least partially engage the selected four-square clutch to slow or stop the work vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Kyle K. McKinzie, Benjamin J. Hertel, Clayton G. Janasek
  • Patent number: 11565685
    Abstract: A power system includes an engine; a sensor to determine an engine speed; and a transmission. The transmission includes an input element configured to receive the power from the engine as input torque; an output element configured to provide at least a portion the power from the engine as output torque; and a clutch arrangement to transform the input torque into output torque. The clutch arrangement includes at least one clutch selectively positionable between a fully engaged state, a partially engaged state in which a portion of the input torque is transformed into the output torque, and a fully disengaged state. A controller is coupled to the at least one clutch and configured to generate clutch commands based at least in part on the engine speed to position the at least one clutch into the fully engaged state, the partially engaged state, or the fully disengaged state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Benjamin J. Hertel
  • Publication number: 20220176946
    Abstract: A control system includes a transmission and a controller configured to receive a vehicle stop command; determine a ground speed; compare the ground speed to first and second predetermined speed thresholds; generate, when the ground speed exceeds the second predetermined speed threshold, a downshift command; generate, when the ground speed is greater than the first predetermined speed threshold and less than or equal to the second predetermined speed threshold, a shuttle shift command; determine, when the ground speed is less than or equal to the first predetermined speed threshold, if the transmission is operating in the first or second mode; select, upon determining the operating mode, a four-square clutch; and at least partially engage the selected four-square clutch to slow or stop the work vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventors: Kyle K. McKinzie, Benjamin J. Hertel, Clayton G. Janasek
  • Publication number: 20210101580
    Abstract: A power system includes an engine; a sensor to determine an engine speed; and a transmission. The transmission includes an input element configured to receive the power from the engine as input torque; an output element configured to provide at least a portion the power from the engine as output torque; and a clutch arrangement to transform the input torque into output torque. The clutch arrangement includes at least one clutch selectively positionable between a fully engaged state, a partially engaged state in which a portion of the input torque is transformed into the output torque, and a fully disengaged state. A controller is coupled to the at least one clutch and configured to generate clutch commands based at least in part on the engine speed to position the at least one clutch into the fully engaged state, the partially engaged state, or the fully disengaged state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Inventor: Benjamin J. Hertel
  • Patent number: 10407072
    Abstract: A vehicle traction control system for a vehicle, in which the vehicle has a prime mover, at least one wheel for providing tractive effort on a support surface, and a transmission having an input side operably coupled to the prime mover and an output side operably coupled to the at least one wheel, and in which the transmission has a controllable clutch pressure between the input side and the output side, includes a controller operable to monitor wheel slip of the at least one wheel. When wheel slip is detected the controller is operable to control the clutch pressure for modulating an output torque of the transmission for reducing the wheel slip. The clutch pressure can be controlled as a function of clutch slip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Hertel, Clayton G. Janasek
  • Patent number: 10112615
    Abstract: A vehicle traction control system for a vehicle having a prime mover, at least one wheel for providing tractive effort on a support surface and being capable of slipping, and a transmission having an input side operably coupled to the prime mover and an output side operably coupled to the at least one wheel. The traction control system includes a controller operable to react to wheel slip by automatically activating a plurality of reactions for reducing wheel slip, wherein the plurality of reactions are tiered such that the controller activates each reaction sequentially in a predetermined order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Hertel, Clayton G. Janasek, Nathan J. Horstman
  • Patent number: 9994104
    Abstract: A vehicle traction control system for a vehicle includes a prime mover, at least one wheel for providing tractive effort on a support surface, and a ground-engaging implement moveable relative to the support surface. The traction control system also includes a controller operable to monitor wheel slip of the at least one wheel. The controller is operable to move the ground-engaging implement at a rate proportional to an amount of wheel slip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Hertel, Clayton G. Janasek, Jeffrey L. Theusch
  • Publication number: 20170066447
    Abstract: A vehicle traction control system for a vehicle, in which the vehicle has a prime mover, at least one wheel for providing tractive effort on a support surface, and a transmission having an input side operably coupled to the prime mover and an output side operably coupled to the at least one wheel, and in which the transmission has a controllable clutch pressure between the input side and the output side, includes a controller operable to monitor wheel slip of the at least one wheel. When wheel slip is detected the controller is operable to control the clutch pressure for modulating an output torque of the transmission for reducing the wheel slip. The clutch pressure can be controlled as a function of clutch slip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Hertel, Clayton G. Janasek
  • Publication number: 20170066324
    Abstract: A vehicle fraction control system for a vehicle includes a prime mover, at least one wheel for providing tractive effort on a support surface, and a ground-engaging implement moveable relative to the support surface. The traction control system also includes a controller operable to monitor wheel slip of the at least one wheel. The controller is operable to move the ground-engaging implement at a rate proportional to an amount of wheel slip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Hertel, Clayton G. Janasek, Jeffrey L. Theusch
  • Publication number: 20170066448
    Abstract: A vehicle fraction control system for a vehicle having a prime mover, at least one wheel for providing tractive effort on a support surface and being capable of slipping, and a transmission having an input side operably coupled to the prime mover and an output side operably coupled to the at least one wheel. The traction control system includes a controller operable to react to wheel slip by automatically activating a plurality of reactions for reducing wheel slip, wherein the plurality of reactions are tiered such that the controller activates each reaction sequentially in a predetermined order.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Hertel, Clayton G. Janasek, Nathan J. Horstman