Patents by Inventor Benjamin P. Koestler

Benjamin P. Koestler 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: 11499293
    Abstract: In embodiments, a work vehicle magnetorheological fluid (MRF) joystick system includes a joystick device, an MRF joystick resistance mechanism, a controller architecture, and an implement tracking data source configured to track movement of the implement during operation of the work vehicle. The joystick device includes, in turn, a base housing, a joystick, and a joystick position sensor. The MRF joystick resistance mechanism is controllable to vary an MRF resistance force impeding joystick movement relative to the base housing. The controller architecture is configured to: (i) track movement of the implement relative to a virtual boundary utilizing data provided by the implement tracking data source; and (ii) command the MRF joystick resistance mechanism to vary the MRF resistance force based, at least in part, on implement movement relative to the virtual boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Todd F. Velde, Benjamin P. Koestler
  • Patent number: 11499292
    Abstract: In embodiments, a work vehicle magnetorheological fluid (MRF) joystick system includes a joystick device, an MRF joystick resistance mechanism, and a controller architecture. The joystick device includes, in turn, a base housing, a joystick, and a joystick position sensor. The MRF joystick resistance mechanism is controllable to selectively resist movement of the joystick relative to the base housing. The controller architecture is configured to: (i) when detecting operator rotation of the joystick in an operator input direction, determine whether continued joystick rotation in the operator input direction will misposition the work vehicle in a manner increasing at least one of work vehicle instability and a likelihood of work vehicle collision; and (ii) when determining that continued joystick rotation will misposition the work vehicle, command the MRF joystick resistance mechanism to generate an MRF resistance force deterring continued joystick rotation in the operator input direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Todd F. Velde, Madeline T. Oglesby, Lance R. Sherlock, Benjamin P. Koestler, Mark D. Anderson, Aaron R. Kenkel, Doug M. Lehmann, Craig Christofferson, Kenneth Franck, Christopher J. Meyer
  • Publication number: 20210340725
    Abstract: In embodiments, a work vehicle magnetorheological fluid (MRF) joystick system includes a joystick device, an MRF joystick resistance mechanism, a controller architecture, and an implement tracking data source configured to track movement of the implement during operation of the work vehicle. The joystick device includes, in turn, a base housing, a joystick, and a joystick position sensor. The MRF joystick resistance mechanism is controllable to vary an MRF resistance force impeding joystick movement relative to the base housing. The controller architecture is configured to: (i) track movement of the implement relative to a virtual boundary utilizing data provided by the implement tracking data source; and (ii) command the MRF joystick resistance mechanism to vary the MRF resistance force based, at least in part, on implement movement relative to the virtual boundary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Todd F. Velde, Benjamin P. Koestler
  • Publication number: 20210340723
    Abstract: In embodiments, a work vehicle magnetorheological fluid (MRF) joystick system includes a joystick device, an MRF joystick resistance mechanism, and a controller architecture. The joystick device includes, in turn, a base housing, a joystick, and a joystick position sensor. The MRF joystick resistance mechanism is controllable to selectively resist movement of the joystick relative to the base housing. The controller architecture is configured to: (i) when detecting operator rotation of the joystick in an operator input direction, determine whether continued joystick rotation in the operator input direction will misposition the work vehicle in a manner increasing at least one of work vehicle instability and a likelihood of work vehicle collision; and (ii) when determining that continued joystick rotation will misposition the work vehicle, command the MRF joystick resistance mechanism to generate an MRF resistance force deterring continued joystick rotation in the operator input direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Todd F. Velde, Madeline T. Oglesby, Lance R. Sherlock, Benjamin P. Koestler, Mark D. Anderson, Aaron R. Kenkel, Doug M. Lehmann, Craig Christofferson, Kenneth Franck, Christopher J. Meyer
  • Publication number: 20200116547
    Abstract: A system for managing material loading is disclosed herein. The system comprising a sensor arranged on or proximate a material loading machine that is configured to measure a weight of the material loading machine. A transmitting device communicatively coupled to the sensor that is configured to receive and transmit the measured weight to an electronic data processor. An electronic data processor coupled to each of the sensor and the transmitting device. The electronic data processor is configured to compute a material weight based on the measured weight of the material loading machine and generate an alert for display on a user interface when the material weight exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2018
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventors: Lance R. Sherlock, Keith N. Chaston, Drew F. Harwell, Benjamin P. Koestler, Noel W. Anderson, Matthew J. Sbai, David J. Myers, Hatim A. Bookwala, Kevin W. Campbell, Thomas A. Porter
  • Publication number: 20140096603
    Abstract: A fluid level measurement system for sensing fluid level in a tank is disclosed that includes a float that moves vertically in the interior of the tank, and a force measuring mechanism coupled to the float that generates an output based on the upward force on the float. The system can include an outer tube where the float is contained in the outer tube. A microcontroller can compute fluid level using the force measuring mechanism output. Altitude and other factors can be accounted for. Exemplary force measuring mechanisms can include a Hall Effect sensor sensing position of a magnet coupled to the float, or a force sensor coupled to the float. The length of the float, or the float and uncompressed spring can be substantially equal to the height of the tank. The float can have a generally uniform or non-uniform outside diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Inventors: Boyd M. Nichols, David Myers, Benjamin P. Koestler, Christopher J. Meyer
  • Publication number: 20120227378
    Abstract: An automatic shutdown system is provided in which a work vehicle is shutdown upon an occurrence of a critical fault; i.e., an occurrence of a condition which could diminish the life or cause a complete failure of at least a portion of the work vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventor: Benjamin P. Koestler
  • Publication number: 20120227379
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of filter regeneration employing an automatic increase in the minimum speed of an engine when a vehicle is in a parked state. The filter regeneration until the operator cancels it or filter regeneration is determined to be complete.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventor: Benjamin P. Koestler