Patents by Inventor Clayton G. Janasek
Clayton G. Janasek 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).
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Patent number: 11866910Abstract: A drive assembly for a work vehicle has a drive housing, including a first housing element forming a reaction member, a drive shaft, a planetary gear set coupled to the drive shaft and configured to selectively rotate an output element. The planetary gear set has an input component, an output component and a reaction component. One or more input clutch arrangements at an input side of the drive assembly are configured to selectively interface with the planetary gear set to effect a rotation speed of the output element. A control clutch arrangement interfaces with the reaction member and the reaction component. The control clutch arrangement is configured to selectively couple and decouple the reaction member from the reaction component to damp a torque increase transmitted to the output element.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2021Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Clayton G. Janasek
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Patent number: 11820361Abstract: A transmission assembly for a work vehicle having an engine includes a variator operably connected to the engine, a gear arrangement configured to provide a selective gear reduction for transmission of output power from the variator to an output shaft, and an electrical machine unit. The electrical machine unit further includes a main shaft operably connected to the variator, a first rotor configured to rotatably drive a first shaft, a second rotor configured to rotatably drive a second shaft, and a clutch configured to selectively couple the first shaft or the second shaft, or both the first shaft and the second shaft, to the main shaft. The clutch, the first rotor, and the second rotor are operable to control a speed and rotational direction of the main shaft in providing rotational power to the variator.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2021Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: David S. Black, Stacy K. Worley, Clayton G. Janasek
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Patent number: 11691617Abstract: A transmission assembly for a work vehicle having an engine includes a variator operably connected to the engine, a gear arrangement configured to provide a selective gear reduction for transmission of output power from the variator to an output shaft, and an electrical machine unit. The electrical machine unit further includes a main shaft operably connected to the variator, a first rotor configured to rotatably drive a first shaft, a second rotor configured to rotatably drive a second shaft, and a clutch configured to selectively couple the first shaft or the second shaft, or both the first shaft and the second shaft, to the main shaft. The clutch, the first rotor, and the second rotor are operable to control a speed and rotational direction of the main shaft in providing rotational power to the variator.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2021Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: David S. Black, Stacy K. Worley, Clayton G. Janasek
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Patent number: 11686374Abstract: A drive assembly for a work vehicle includes a housing arrangement, a drive shaft rotatable in first and second clock directions, and a two-stage planetary gear set coupled to the drive shaft. The gear set includes, or is coupled to, an output element. First and second clutch arrangements are configured to selectively engage the gear set to effect first and second gear ratios, respectively. A step ratio from the first gear ratio and the second gear ratio is 3:1. At least one first actuator and at least one second actuator are configured to effect movement of the first and second clutch arrangements, respectively, to selectively engage the gear set. The drive shaft and the output element rotate in a same clock direction with the first clutch arrangement engaged with the gear set, and in opposite clock directions with the second clutch arrangement engaged with the gear set.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2021Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Clayton G. Janasek, Lisa R. Lloyd
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Publication number: 20230166718Abstract: A transmission assembly for a work vehicle having an engine includes a variator operably connected to the engine, a gear arrangement configured to provide a selective gear reduction for transmission of output power from the variator to an output shaft, and an electrical machine unit. The electrical machine unit further includes a main shaft operably connected to the variator, a first rotor configured to rotatably drive a first shaft, a second rotor configured to rotatably drive a second shaft, and a clutch configured to selectively couple the first shaft or the second shaft, or both the first shaft and the second shaft, to the main shaft. The clutch, the first rotor, and the second rotor are operable to control a speed and rotational direction of the main shaft in providing rotational power to the variator.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2021Publication date: June 1, 2023Inventors: David S. Black, Stacy K. Worley, Clayton G. Janasek
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Patent number: 11654900Abstract: A control system includes a transmission and a controller configured to receive a vehicle stop command; determine a ground speed; compare the ground speed to first and second predetermined speed thresholds; generate, when the ground speed exceeds the second predetermined speed threshold, a downshift command; generate, when the ground speed is greater than the first predetermined speed threshold and less than or equal to the second predetermined speed threshold, a shuttle shift command; determine, when the ground speed is less than or equal to the first predetermined speed threshold, if the transmission is operating in the first or second mode; select, upon determining the operating mode, a four-square clutch; and at least partially engage the selected four-square clutch to slow or stop the work vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2020Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Kyle K. McKinzie, Benjamin J. Hertel, Clayton G. Janasek
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Patent number: 11628822Abstract: A control system for a work vehicle includes a power source including an engine and at least one electric motor configured to generate power; a transmission including a plurality of clutches coupled together and configured for selective engagement to transfer the power from the engine and the at least one electric motor along a power flow path to drive an output shaft of a powertrain according to a plurality of transmission modes; and a controller coupled to the power source and the transmission. The controller has a processor and memory architecture configured to: monitor an electric motor speed of the at least one electric motor; and generate and execute, when the electric motor speed is less than a first predetermined stall speed threshold, a clutch modulation command for the transmission such that at least one clutch of the plurality of clutches along the power flow path is partially engaged.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2021Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Kyle K. McKinzie, Clayton G. Janasek
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Patent number: 11613246Abstract: A control system for a work vehicle includes a power source with an engine and at least one motor configured to generate power; a transmission including a plurality of clutches configured for selective engagement to transfer the power to drive an output shaft of a powertrain of the work vehicle; and a controller coupled to the power source and the transmission. The controller has a processor and memory architecture configured to: initiate a transition for the transmission between a first transmission mode and a second transmission mode at a first shift point associated with an engine throttle shift function; determine a current engine speed; and generate and execute an engine speed command for the engine such that a commanded engine speed is a function of the current engine speed in accordance with the engine throttle shift function upon the transition of the transmission at the first shift point.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2021Date of Patent: March 28, 2023Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Kyle K. McKinzie, Clayton G. Janasek, Eric Vilar
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Publication number: 20230025749Abstract: A drive assembly for a work vehicle includes a housing arrangement, a drive shaft rotatable in first and second clock directions, and a two-stage planetary gear set coupled to the drive shaft. The gear set includes, or is coupled to, an output element. First and second clutch arrangements are configured to selectively engage the gear set to effect first and second gear ratios, respectively. A step ratio from the first gear ratio and the second gear ratio is 3:1. At least one first actuator and at least one second actuator are configured to effect movement of the first and second clutch arrangements, respectively, to selectively engage the gear set. The drive shaft and the output element rotate in a same clock direction with the first clutch arrangement engaged with the gear set, and in opposite clock directions with the second clutch arrangement engaged with the gear set.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2021Publication date: January 26, 2023Inventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Clayton G. Janasek, Lisa R. Lloyd
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Publication number: 20220267990Abstract: A drive assembly for a work vehicle has a drive housing, including a first housing element forming a reaction member, a drive shaft, a planetary gear set coupled to the drive shaft and configured to selectively rotate an output element. The planetary gear set has an input component, an output component and a reaction component. One or more input clutch arrangements at an input side of the drive assembly are configured to selectively interface with the planetary gear set to effect a rotation speed of the output element. A control clutch arrangement interfaces with the reaction member and the reaction component. The control clutch arrangement is configured to selectively couple and decouple the reaction member from the reaction component to damp a torque increase transmitted to the output element.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2021Publication date: August 25, 2022Inventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Clayton G. Janasek
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Publication number: 20220250607Abstract: A control system for a work vehicle includes a power source including an engine and at least one electric motor configured to generate power; a transmission including a plurality of clutches coupled together and configured for selective engagement to transfer the power from the engine and the at least one electric motor along a power flow path to drive an output shaft of a powertrain according to a plurality of transmission modes; and a controller coupled to the power source and the transmission. The controller has a processor and memory architecture configured to: monitor an electric motor speed of the at least one electric motor; and generate and execute, when the electric motor speed is less than a first predetermined stall speed threshold, a clutch modulation command for the transmission such that at least one clutch of the plurality of clutches along the power flow path is partially engaged.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2021Publication date: August 11, 2022Inventors: Kyle K. McKinzie, Clayton G. Janasek
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Publication number: 20220228346Abstract: A control system is provided for a work vehicle having a powertrain and at least one implement configured to engage with a material during a dig operation. The control system includes a power source; a transmission configured for selective engagement to transfer the power from the engine and the motor to drive an output shaft of the powertrain of the work vehicle; and a controller. The controller has a processor and memory architecture configured to: receive at least one operational parameter of the work vehicle; evaluate the at least one operational parameter to determine if the at least one operational parameter satisfies a dig preparation condition; and generate, upon satisfying the dig preparation condition, at least one dig preparation command for at least one of the transmission and the engine to prepare the powertrain for the dig operation prior to the at least one implement engaging the material.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2021Publication date: July 21, 2022Inventors: Kyle K. McKinzie, Clayton G. Janasek, Jonathan Coulter
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Publication number: 20220227351Abstract: A control system for a work vehicle includes a power source with an engine and at least one motor configured to generate power; a transmission including a plurality of clutches configured for selective engagement to transfer the power to drive an output shaft of a powertrain of the work vehicle; and a controller coupled to the power source and the transmission. The controller has a processor and memory architecture configured to: initiate a transition for the transmission between a first transmission mode and a second transmission mode at a first shift point associated with an engine throttle shift function; determine a current engine speed; and generate and execute an engine speed command for the engine such that a commanded engine speed is a function of the current engine speed in accordance with the engine throttle shift function upon the transition of the transmission at the first shift point.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2021Publication date: July 21, 2022Inventors: Kyle K. McKinzie, Clayton G. Janasek, Eric Vilar
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Publication number: 20220176946Abstract: A control system includes a transmission and a controller configured to receive a vehicle stop command; determine a ground speed; compare the ground speed to first and second predetermined speed thresholds; generate, when the ground speed exceeds the second predetermined speed threshold, a downshift command; generate, when the ground speed is greater than the first predetermined speed threshold and less than or equal to the second predetermined speed threshold, a shuttle shift command; determine, when the ground speed is less than or equal to the first predetermined speed threshold, if the transmission is operating in the first or second mode; select, upon determining the operating mode, a four-square clutch; and at least partially engage the selected four-square clutch to slow or stop the work vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2020Publication date: June 9, 2022Inventors: Kyle K. McKinzie, Benjamin J. Hertel, Clayton G. Janasek
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Patent number: 11351983Abstract: A control system includes a transmission with a directional clutch and control assembly clutches coupled together and configured for selective engagement to transfer power. A controller is configured to selectively actuate the directional clutch and the control assembly clutches with clutch commands to implement a first split mode in which combined power is transferred to drive the output shaft, a first direct drive mode in which power from only the engine to drive the output shaft, and a first series mode in which power is transferred from primarily the at least one motor to drive the output shaft. The controller is further configured to implement a transient boost function within at least a portion of the first series mode in which the at least one directional clutch is partially engaged to supplement power from the at least one motor with power from the engine to drive the output shaft.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2019Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Kyle K. McKinzie, Clayton G. Janasek, Eric R. Anderson
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Patent number: 11299141Abstract: A control system is provided for implementing multi-layer braking and retardation in a work vehicle that includes a hybrid electric drive system having an engine and one or more electric machines. The control system includes a braking and retardation system that dissipates energy generated by motion of the work vehicle, with the braking and retardation system including a brake resistor, an engine brake, and a transmission operable to provide transmission braking. A controller receives inputs on a braking torque demand and operational parameters of the hybrid electric drive system and the braking and retardation system, determines an amount of energy absorption necessary to meet the braking torque demand, and allocates the energy to be absorbed within the braking and retardation system according to a hierarchal energy allocation scheme based on the energy to be absorbed and the operational parameters of the hybrid electric drive system and braking and retardation system.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2021Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Kyle K. McKinzie, Clayton G. Janasek
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Patent number: 11193560Abstract: A drive assembly for a work vehicle includes a drive housing including a first housing element forming a reaction member; a drive shaft; a planetary gear set coupled to the drive shaft and configured to selectively rotate an output element in the first rotation direction and in the second rotation direction; a first clutch arrangement including a first clutch ring and a second clutch ring; and a second clutch arrangement to interface with the planetary gear set to selectively effect a second rotation speed of the output element in the first rotation direction and in the second rotation direction. The first clutch ring is configured to effect a first rotation speed of the output element in the second rotation direction and the second clutch ring is configured to effect the first rotation speed of the output element in the first rotation direction.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2020Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Clayton G. Janasek, Lisa R. Lloyd
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Publication number: 20210372503Abstract: A drive assembly for a work vehicle includes a drive housing including a first housing element forming a reaction member; a drive shaft; a planetary gear set coupled to the drive shaft and configured to selectively rotate an output element in the first rotation direction and in the second rotation direction; a first clutch arrangement including a first clutch ring and a second clutch ring; and a second clutch arrangement to interface with the planetary gear set to selectively effect a second rotation speed of the output element in the first rotation direction and in the second rotation direction. The first clutch ring is configured to effect a first rotation speed of the output element in the second rotation direction and the second clutch ring is configured to effect the first rotation speed of the output element in the first rotation direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2020Publication date: December 2, 2021Inventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Clayton G. Janasek, Lisa R. Lloyd
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Publication number: 20210129829Abstract: A control system includes a transmission with a directional clutch and control assembly clutches coupled together and configured for selective engagement to transfer power. A controller is configured to selectively actuate the directional clutch and the control assembly clutches with clutch commands to implement a first split mode in which combined power is transferred to drive the output shaft, a first direct drive mode in which power from only the engine to drive the output shaft, and a first series mode in which power is transferred from primarily the at least one motor to drive the output shaft. The controller is further configured to implement a transient boost function within at least a portion of the first series mode in which the at least one directional clutch is partially engaged to supplement power from the at least one motor with power from the engine to drive the output shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2019Publication date: May 6, 2021Inventors: Kyle K. McKinzie, Clayton G. Janasek, Eric R. Anderson
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Patent number: 10975959Abstract: A control system operates a power train of a work vehicle. The system includes a transmission arrangement which transfers power from an engine to an output shaft of the vehicle to drive the vehicle in a first or second direction according to at least one forward or reverse modes. The arrangement includes a forward directional clutch and a reverse directional clutch, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine if one of the clutches is engaged; evaluate a speed of the engine; and provide a torque command to engage the other of the clutches to slow the speed of the engine when a shuttle shift is initiated, or when the speed of the engine exceeds a predetermined speed threshold.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2019Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Kyle K. McKinzie, Clayton G. Janasek