Patents by Inventor Christopher D. Turner

Christopher D. Turner 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: 9050978
    Abstract: A drive and control system is provided for a towing vehicle pulling a towed implement, such as a tractor pulling a scraper. The drive system includes an engine which drives a generator for generating electric power. A towing vehicle electric drive motor is connected to driven wheels of the towing vehicle through a transmission. An assist or implement electric drive motor is drivingly connected to driven wheels of the implement. A power distribution unit controls distribution of electric power from the generator to the towing vehicle and implement drive motors. A control unit controls the power distribution unit as a function of an operator set power split, an operator set maximum wheel slip, sensed wheel slip and other sensed parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Gary S. Keys, II, Christopher D. Turner, Joe L. Schutte
  • Publication number: 20150149053
    Abstract: A vehicle attachment and control system for a vehicle attachment are described. The attachment includes a chassis configured to be attached to a vehicle with an onboard power source. The attachment includes an attachment power source supported by the chassis and an energy storage device supported by the chassis and configured to receive power from the attachment power source. The attachment includes a control system configured to transmit a signal to, and receive a signal from, the attachment power source and/or the energy storage device. The control system, the attachment power source, and the energy storage device are configured to provide power from the attachment power source and the energy storage device, via power transfer connections between the vehicle, or an associated implement, and the attachment power source or the energy storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Christopher D. Turner, Gary S. Keys, II
  • Publication number: 20150130929
    Abstract: A system including a vessel, an image capturing device, and a processor. The vessel at least partially contacts a liquid, wherein the liquid has a liquid surface that is defined by a quantity of the liquid, a shape of the vessel, and an orientation of the vessel relative to a horizontal plane. The image capturing device is spaced apart from the liquid surface and captures an image thereof. The processor is in communication with the image capturing device for analyzing a characteristic of the image and determining an attribute of the liquid therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: Deere & Company
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER D. TURNER, CHRISTOPHER L. BRADSHAW, MICHAEL J. PIPHO, BRUCE L. UPCHURCH
  • Publication number: 20150130930
    Abstract: A system including a container, an imaging structure, an image capturing device, and a processor. The container at least partially surrounds a liquid. The liquid has a liquid surface that is defined by a quantity of the liquid in the container, a shape of the container, and an orientation of the container relative to a horizontal plane. The imaging structure is positioned in the container. The image capturing device captures an image of the liquid surface and the imaging structure. The processor is in communication with the image capturing device for analyzing a characteristic of the image, and for determining an attribute therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: Deere & Company
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER D. TURNER, CHRISTOPHER L. BRADSHAW, MICHAEL J. PIPHO, BRUCE L. UPCHURCH
  • Publication number: 20150120103
    Abstract: A drive and control system is provided for a towing vehicle pulling a towed implement, such as a tractor pulling a scraper. The drive system includes an engine which drives a generator for generating electric power. A towing vehicle electric drive motor is connected to driven wheels of the towing vehicle through a transmission. An assist or implement electric drive motor is drivingly connected to driven wheels of the implement. A power distribution unit controls distribution of electric power from the generator to the towing vehicle and implement drive motors. A control unit controls the power distribution unit as a function of an operator set power split, an operator set maximum wheel slip, sensed wheel slip and other sensed parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: GARY S. KEYS, II, Christopher D. TURNER, Joe L. SCHUTTE
  • Publication number: 20150077557
    Abstract: An automatic control system moves a vehicle so that it can be coupled to an implement. The vehicle has propulsion and steering controls which respond to electronic input signals. A visual target is mounted on the implement. Vehicle mounted cameras generate images of the target. A motion control unit receives and processes the images, and generates vehicle movement commands as a function of the images which are communicated to the propulsion and steering controls. The motion control unit includes a perception engine connected to the cameras, a controller connected to the perception engine, and a vehicle/operator interface which is connected to the controller, and to the propulsion and steering controls. The perception engine captures images from the cameras, un-distorts the images, and searches for the target. If the target is found, the perception engine recovers vehicle posture information and transmits said information to the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: SHUFENG HAN, Christopher D. Turner, Bryan K. Buerkle, Steven A. Duppong
  • Publication number: 20140166126
    Abstract: Disclosed is a reductant delivery system comprising a reductant tank, a reductant delivery mechanism, a reductant pressure source, and an extraction passage. The extraction passage is coupled fluidly to the reductant tank and the reductant pressure source therebetween. The reductant delivery system also comprises a reductant manifold that comprises a junction positioned therein. Further, the reductant manifold comprises (1) a supply passage coupled fluidly to the reductant pressure source and the junction therebetween, (2) a dosing passage coupled fluidly to the reductant delivery mechanism and the junction therebetween, and (3) a return passage coupled fluidly to the reductant tank and the junction therebetween. The reductant delivery system comprises a reductant quality sensor positioned in the supply passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher D. Turner, Timothy P. Slattery, Michael J. Pipho, Keith A. Luke
  • Patent number: 8752672
    Abstract: A standoff device and ladder designed for positioning with respect to a supporting structure, the standoff is temporarily and rigidly attached to the upper end of a ladder for the purpose of holding the ladder away from the structure against which the ladder is leaning to provide more stability and a comfortable distance between the user and the structure during tasks such as painting, power washing a house, working with gutters, carpentry, roofing, tree trimming and pruning. The standoff comprises a pivotal frame which is moveably and adjustably secured to a selected rung of the ladder with the pivotal movement limited by a chain, rope, strap, strut, telescoping member, or other holding element attached to a lower portion of the ladder such as a lower rung. The standoff device includes a frame having extendable legs with padded rollers journalled on the end in a “V-shape” for leaning against various shapes of vertical support structures such as walls of a building, columns or trees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Inventor: Christopher D. Turner
  • Publication number: 20140021073
    Abstract: A readily dividable container carrier includes a first container engaging opening, a second container engaging opening, and a handle structure located between the first container engaging opening and the second container engaging opening. The handle structure includes a first portion located toward the first container engaging opening and a second portion located toward the second container engaging opening, and a separation line between the first portion and the second portion, the separation line formed by a line of weakness along the handle structure. A method and apparatus for applying the carrier are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventors: Robert S. Rozner, Roy A. Tetreault, Kent G. Carlisle, Christopher D. Turner