Patents by Inventor Christopher J. Maifield

Christopher J. Maifield 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: 9797114
    Abstract: A control system for a work vehicle has a controller configured to adjust first and second actuators for moving first and second sides of an implement relative to the work vehicle. A first operator control provides a first incremental input to the controller corresponding to a first incremental adjustment of the first actuator effecting a prescribed change in position of the first side of the implement. A second operator control provides a second incremental input to the controller corresponding to a second incremental adjustment of the second actuator effecting a prescribed change in position of the second side of the implement. At least when in a manual control mode, the incremental change in position of the first side of the implement is independent of the incremental change in position of the second side of the implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Christopher J. Maifield, Nathan J. Horstman, Giovanni A. Wuisan, Ronald J. Huber
  • Publication number: 20170114522
    Abstract: A control system for a work vehicle has a controller configured to adjust first and second actuators for moving first and second sides of an implement relative to the work vehicle. A first operator control provides a first incremental input to the controller corresponding to a first incremental adjustment of the first actuator effecting a prescribed change in position of the first side of the implement. A second operator control provides a second incremental input to the controller corresponding to a second incremental adjustment of the second actuator effecting a prescribed change in position of the second side of the implement. At least when in a manual control mode, the incremental change in position of the first side of the implement is independent of the incremental change in position of the second side of the implement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher J. Maifield, Nathan J. Horstman, Giovanni A. Wuisan, Ronald J. Huber
  • Patent number: 8070651
    Abstract: A work machine includes an IC engine having an output, an IVT having an input coupled with the IC engine output, and a ground speed actuator. A desired speed sensor associated with the ground speed actuator provides an output signal indicating a slower ground speed. At least one electrical processing circuit is configured for increasing an input/output (I/O) ratio of the IVT, dependent upon the sensor output signal, such that a net torque transfer back-driven from the IVT input to the IC engine output is substantially zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Briton T. Eastman, Christopher J. Maifield
  • Publication number: 20090149296
    Abstract: A work machine includes an IC engine having an output, an IVT having an input coupled with the IC engine output, and a ground speed actuator. A desired speed sensor associated with the ground speed actuator provides an output signal indicating a slower ground speed. At least one electrical processing circuit is configured for increasing an input/output (I/O) ratio of the IVT, dependent upon the sensor output signal, such that a net torque transfer back-driven from the IVT input to the IC engine output is substantially zero.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventors: Briton T. Eastman, Christopher J. Maifield
  • Publication number: 20080109150
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a flywheel, a starter for rotatably driving the flywheel, at least one starter parameter indicator, and an engine control module. Each indicator provides an output signal representing a start or no-start condition for the starter. The engine control module is coupled with the starter and one or more indicators. The engine control module controllably actuates the starter, dependent upon the output signal from each indicator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventors: Jesse L. Pfohl, Michael L. Frank, Kevin Pfohl, Mark Benedict, Richard T. Hurban, Christopher J. Maifield
  • Patent number: D705163
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: John C. Lauper, Christopher J. Maifield, Jesse J. Stanton, Thomas H. Ward, Michael Trump, Joseph B. Fochs