Patents by Inventor Bryan Kirk Buerkle

Bryan Kirk Buerkle 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: 11422519
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for controlling machine configurations. An example method includes deter mining a desired trajectory of an auxiliary machine based at least in part on a desired work path or an alignment of a host machine and the auxiliary machine; determining a first actual trajectory of the auxiliary machine based on i) determining a first distance between a first side of the auxiliary machine and the host machine and ii) determining a second distance between a second side of the auxiliary machine and the host machine, the first side is opposite the second side; comparing the desired trajectory of the auxiliary machine to the first actual trajectory of the auxiliary machine; and when the first actual trajectory does not satisfy a threshold distance of the desired trajectory, selecting a trajectory-assist mode to steer the auxiliary machine toward the desired trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Noel Wayne Anderson, Bryan Kirk Buerkle, Niels Dybro
  • Publication number: 20200133216
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for controlling machine configurations. An example method includes deter mining a desired trajectory of an auxiliary machine based at least in part on a desired work path or an alignment of a host machine and the auxiliary machine; determining a first actual trajectory of the auxiliary machine based on i) determining a first distance between a first side of the auxiliary machine and the host machine and ii) determining a second distance between a second side of the auxiliary machine and the host machine, the first side is opposite the second side; comparing the desired trajectory of the auxiliary machine to the first actual trajectory of the auxiliary machine; and when the first actual trajectory does not satisfy a threshold distance of the desired trajectory, selecting a trajectory-assist mode to steer the auxiliary machine toward the desired trajectory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Noel Wayne Anderson, Bryan Kirk Buerkle, Niels Dybro
  • Patent number: 10539935
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for controlling machine configurations. An example method includes determining a desired trajectory of an auxiliary machine based at least in part on a desired work path or an alignment of a host machine and the auxiliary machine; determining a first actual trajectory of the auxiliary machine; comparing the desired trajectory of the auxiliary machine to the first actual trajectory of the auxiliary machine; when the first actual trajectory does not satisfy a threshold distance of the desired trajectory, crab steering the auxiliary machine toward the desired trajectory while a course of the host machine is different than a course of the auxiliary machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Noel Wayne Anderson, Bryan Kirk Buerkle, Niels Dybro
  • Publication number: 20170269564
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for controlling machine configurations. An example method includes determining a desired trajectory of an auxiliary machine based at least in part on a desired work path or an alignment of a host machine and the auxiliary machine; determining a first actual trajectory of the auxiliary machine; comparing the desired trajectory of the auxiliary machine to the first actual trajectory of the auxiliary machine; when the first actual trajectory does not satisfy a threshold distance of the desired trajectory, crab steering the auxiliary machine toward the desired trajectory while a course of the host machine is different than a course of the auxiliary machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Noel Wayne Anderson, Bryan Kirk Buerkle, Niels Dybro
  • Patent number: 9709969
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for controlling machine configurations. An example method disclosed herein includes identifying a machine configuration, the machine configuration comprising a host machine connected to an auxiliary machine; determining a desired trajectory based on at least one of the host machine turning, a desired work path, or an alignment of the host machine and the auxiliary machine; and controlling steering of the auxiliary machine based on a desired trajectory of the host machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Noel Wayne Anderson, Bryan Kirk Buerkle, Niels Dybro
  • Publication number: 20140277675
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for controlling machine configurations. An example method disclosed herein includes identifying a machine configuration, the machine configuration comprising a host machine connected to an auxiliary machine; determining a desired trajectory based on at least one of the host machine turning, a desired work path, or an alignment of the host machine and the auxiliary machine; and controlling steering of the auxiliary machine based on a desired trajectory of the host machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Noel Wayne Anderson, Bryan Kirk Buerkle, Niels Dybro
  • Publication number: 20110108358
    Abstract: A resonator attenuates sound waves at first and second frequencies. The resonator includes a first tube, and a second tube received within the first tube. Both tubes have an open end and a closed end. The first tube has an axial length which is longer than the axial length of the second tube. The first tube attenuates sound waves at the first frequency and the second tube attenuates sound waves at the second frequency. The second tube has an outer wall which engages an inner wall of the first tube. The open end of the second tube is surrounded by the open end of the first tube. The open end of the first tube is attached to an engine air intake conduit. The conduit communicates air from a charge air cooler to an engine intake manifold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventors: Jason Michael Edgington, Bryan Kirk Buerkle, Jeffrey John Girard, Jeffery Kahle Brown
  • Patent number: 7478823
    Abstract: A drawbar clevis assembly includes a drawbar with a greater offset between the upper inboard member and the lower outboard member. The clevis assembly also includes a strap which is mounted to the drawbar and which has an opening in a mid portion. The strap is slid over the drawbar so that the opening receives a portion of the drawbar and so that the inner portion of the strap is attached to an underside of the inboard portion of the drawbar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Joseph Luther Doubet, Bryan Kirk Buerkle
  • Patent number: 7478824
    Abstract: A vehicle drawbar hammer strap assembly may be coupled to an implement tongue with a drawbar pin. A cross pin with a lever arm is operable to releasably hold the drawbar pin. A trigger is engagable with the tongue and the cross pin, and is pivotal from a latched position wherein it engages the cross pin and holds the cross pin in its locked position to an unlatched position wherein it is spaced apart from the cross pin. The tongue engages the trigger and pivot the trigger in an over-center manner from its latched to its unlatched position. The trigger includes a latch member attached to a wire form part which is pivotally coupled to the hammer strap. The latch member is engagable with the lever arm and with an end of the tongue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Bryan Kirk Buerkle, Michael Dean Kollath
  • Patent number: 7416206
    Abstract: A drawbar hammer strap assembly design achieves a low profile, and prevents rotation of the drawbar and of the cross pin. The drawbar hammer strap assembly includes a drawbar, a hammer strap member attached to the drawbar, a drawbar pin mountable to drawbar and hammer strap member and a cross pin rotatably mounted in the hammer strap for releasably holding the drawbar pin in its mounted position. The hammer strap has a pair of detent recesses formed in the sides thereof. The drawbar hammer strap assembly also includes a handle member which is pivotally coupled to an upper end of the drawbar pin. The handle member is pivotal to an unlatched position wherein it is spaced apart from the detent recess, and to a latched position wherein it is releasably received in the detent recess. The handle member is engagable with a lever arm of the cross pin to hold the cross pin in its locked position when the handle member is in its latched position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Bryan Kirk Buerkle
  • Publication number: 20080067785
    Abstract: A vehicle drawbar hammer strap assembly may be coupled to an implement tongue with a drawbar pin. A cross pin with a lever arm is operable to releasably hold the drawbar pin. A trigger is engagable with the tongue and the cross pin, and is pivotal from a latched position wherein it engages the cross pin and holds the cross pin in its locked position to an unlatched position wherein it is spaced apart from the cross pin. The tongue engages the trigger and pivot the trigger in an over-center manner from its latched to its unlatched position. The trigger includes a latch member attached to a wire form part which is pivotally coupled to the hammer strap. The latch member is engagable with the lever arm and with an end of the tongue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Inventors: Bryan Kirk Buerkle, Michael Dean Kollath
  • Publication number: 20070290484
    Abstract: A drawbar hammer strap assembly design achieves a low profile, and prevents rotation of the drawbar and of the cross pin. The drawbar hammer strap assembly includes a drawbar, a hammer strap member attached to the drawbar, a drawbar pin mountable to drawbar and hammer strap member and a cross pin rotatably mounted in the hammer strap for releasably holding the drawbar pin in its mounted position. The hammer strap has a pair of detent recesses formed in the sides thereof. The drawbar hammer strap assembly also includes a handle member which is pivotally coupled to an upper end of the drawbar pin. The handle member is pivotal to an unlatched position wherein it is spaced apart from the detent recess, and to a latched position wherein it is releasably received in the detent recess. The handle member is engagable with a lever arm of the cross pin to hold the cross pin in its locked position when the handle member is in its latched position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Inventor: Bryan Kirk Buerkle