Patents by Inventor Chris J. McDonald

Chris J. McDonald 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: 9551130
    Abstract: A work vehicle may include a chassis, a ground-engaging blade, a sensor, and a controller. The ground-engaging blade may be movably connected to the chassis via a linkage configured to allow the blade to be raised or lowered relative to the chassis. The sensor may be connected to the chassis at a fixed relative position to the chassis and configured to provide a pitch signal indicative of a rotational velocity in a pitch direction. The controller may be configured to receive the pitch signal and send a command to raise or lower the blade, the command based on a first gain and the pitch signal when the pitch signal indicates a rotational velocity in a first direction and based on a second gain and the pitch signal when the pitch signal indicates a rotational velocity in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Scott S. Hendron, Chris J. McDonald, Bryan Rausch, Travis Wiens, Jeff Dobchuk
  • Publication number: 20160230366
    Abstract: A work vehicle may include a chassis, a ground-engaging blade, a sensor, and a controller. The ground-engaging blade may be movably connected to the chassis via a linkage configured to allow the blade to be raised or lowered relative to the chassis. The sensor may be connected to the chassis at a fixed relative position to the chassis and configured to provide a pitch signal indicative of a rotational velocity in a pitch direction. The controller may be configured to receive the pitch signal and send a command to raise or lower the blade, the command based on a first gain and the pitch signal when the pitch signal indicates a rotational velocity in a first direction and based on a second gain and the pitch signal when the pitch signal indicates a rotational velocity in a second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: Scott S. Hendron, Chris J. McDonald, Bryan Rausch, Travis Wiens, Jeff Dobchuk
  • Publication number: 20130152564
    Abstract: A hill hold control system and method for a closed loop transmission of a machine is disclosed that includes performing the following steps while the transmission is in neutral: sensing motor shaft movement; and generating fluid flow to offset motor shaft movement and cause substantially zero shaft movement. The method can include comparing a brake timer to a delay value, and activating a brake when the timer exceeds the delay value. The method can include sensing when a brake is applied, and discontinuing the step of generating fluid flow to offset motor shaft movement when a brake is applied. Motor shaft movement can be sensed by sensing rotational speed. Generating fluid flow to offset motor shaft movement can include determining direction and magnitude of fluid flow as a function of the sensed movement; and adjusting the direction and magnitude of fluid flow based on recurring readings of the sensed movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventors: Bryon P. Neumann, Chris J. McDonald, Mark E. Breutzman