Patents by Inventor Briton Todd Eastman

Briton Todd Eastman 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: 8457848
    Abstract: A work machine includes an internal combustion (IC) engine, and an infinitely variable transmission (IVT) coupled with the IC engine. At least one sensor provides an output signal representing a real-time load value on the IC engine. At least one electrical processing circuit is configured for controlling an output of the IVT, dependent upon a threshold load value for the IC engine and the real-time load value for the IC engine. In one embodiment, the at least one electrical processing circuit includes an engine control unit (ECU) associated with the IC engine, and a transmission control unit (TCU) associated with the IVT. The ECU provides an output signal to the TCU representing the real-time load value. The TCU controls the output of the IVT dependent upon a comparison between the threshold load value and the real-time load value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Briton Todd Eastman, Clayton George Janasek
  • Publication number: 20090112413
    Abstract: A work machine includes an internal combustion (IC) engine, and an infinitely variable transmission (IVT) coupled with the IC engine. At least one sensor provides an output signal representing a real-time load value on the IC engine. At least one electrical processing circuit is configured for controlling an output of the IVT, dependent upon a threshold load value for the IC engine and the real-time load value for the IC engine. In one embodiment, the at least one electrical processing circuit includes an engine control unit (ECU) associated with the IC engine, and a transmission control unit (TCU) associated with the IVT. The ECU provides an output signal to the TCU representing the real-time load value. The TCU controls the output of the IVT dependent upon a comparison between the threshold load value and the real-time load value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventors: Briton Todd Eastman, Clayton George Janasek
  • Publication number: 20090112414
    Abstract: A work machine including an internal combustion (IC) engine having an output, and an infinitely variable transmission (IVT) coupled with the IC engine output. The IVT includes an adjustable input/output (I/O) ratio. An operator adjustable torque control input device provides an output signal. At least one electrical processing circuit is coupled with the torque control input device and configured for controlling the IC engine output and/or the IVT I/O ratio, dependent upon the output signal from the torque control input device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventors: Briton Todd Eastman, Clayton George Janasek
  • Publication number: 20070281826
    Abstract: The invention relates to power management of a off-highway vehicle. A power management apparatus is described as a vehicle control unit coupled to a vehicle and the vehicle control unit is in communication with an engine and a transmission controller. In response to power management input, the vehicle control unit sends a message to the transmission controller commanding a maximum torque limit based on the maximum drivetrain torque. The maximum torque limit is configured to optimize power to the vehicle implement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventors: Jahmy Hindman, Eric R. Anderson, Chris Maifield, Christopher Graham Parish, Jeremiah Joseph Bock, Daniel Pflieger, Kevin Lee Pfohl, Clayton George Janasek, Briton Todd Eastman, Michael Duane Testerman, Michael L. Frank
  • Patent number: 6119072
    Abstract: The hydraulically operated clutch elements of a powershift transmission have hold pressures which are calibrated by determining a parasitic drag time value represent a speed change of a clutch component due to a friction characteristic of the transmission, by calculating a target speed change value from the parasitic drag time valueas, and by deriving the clutch calibration values from the target speed change value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Briton Todd Eastman
  • Patent number: 5842375
    Abstract: The hydraulically operated clutch elements of a powershift transmission have hold pressures and fast-fill times which are calibrated as a function of the rotation speed of an internal component of the transmission. The engine speed remains substantially constant and no or substantially no torque is transmittted to the output shaft of the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: William Edward Reeves, Kevin Lee Vaughters, George William Detrick, III, Norval Thomas Gruver, Briton Todd Eastman