Patents by Inventor Clayton George Janasek

Clayton George 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).

  • Patent number: 8457848
    Abstract: A work machine includes an internal combustion (IC) engine, and an infinitely variable transmission (IVT) coupled with the IC engine. At least one sensor provides an output signal representing a real-time load value on the IC engine. At least one electrical processing circuit is configured for controlling an output of the IVT, dependent upon a threshold load value for the IC engine and the real-time load value for the IC engine. In one embodiment, the at least one electrical processing circuit includes an engine control unit (ECU) associated with the IC engine, and a transmission control unit (TCU) associated with the IVT. The ECU provides an output signal to the TCU representing the real-time load value. The TCU controls the output of the IVT dependent upon a comparison between the threshold load value and the real-time load value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Briton Todd Eastman, Clayton George Janasek
  • Patent number: 7972240
    Abstract: A work machine includes an internal combustion (IC) engine, and an infinitely variable transmission (IVT) coupled with the IC engine. The IVT includes an adjustable module and a mechanical module, with an adjustable input/output (I/O) ratio. A clutch is coupled with the mechanical module and has an output. An adjustable operator input device provides an output signal representing a power limit control. At least one electrical processing circuit is coupled with the operator input device and configured for controlling a selected combination of the I/O ratio and the clutch output, dependent upon the output signal from the operator input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Clayton George Janasek
  • Publication number: 20090163319
    Abstract: A work machine includes an internal combustion (IC) engine, and an infinitely variable transmission (IVT) coupled with the IC engine. The IVT includes an adjustable module and a mechanical module, with an adjustable input/output (I/O) ratio. A clutch is coupled with the mechanical module and has an output. An adjustable operator input device provides an output signal representing a power limit control. At least one electrical processing circuit is coupled with the operator input device and configured for controlling a selected combination of the I/O ratio and the clutch output, dependent upon the output signal from the operator input device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventor: Clayton George Janasek
  • Publication number: 20090112413
    Abstract: A work machine includes an internal combustion (IC) engine, and an infinitely variable transmission (IVT) coupled with the IC engine. At least one sensor provides an output signal representing a real-time load value on the IC engine. At least one electrical processing circuit is configured for controlling an output of the IVT, dependent upon a threshold load value for the IC engine and the real-time load value for the IC engine. In one embodiment, the at least one electrical processing circuit includes an engine control unit (ECU) associated with the IC engine, and a transmission control unit (TCU) associated with the IVT. The ECU provides an output signal to the TCU representing the real-time load value. The TCU controls the output of the IVT dependent upon a comparison between the threshold load value and the real-time load value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventors: Briton Todd Eastman, Clayton George Janasek
  • Publication number: 20090112414
    Abstract: A work machine including an internal combustion (IC) engine having an output, and an infinitely variable transmission (IVT) coupled with the IC engine output. The IVT includes an adjustable input/output (I/O) ratio. An operator adjustable torque control input device provides an output signal. At least one electrical processing circuit is coupled with the torque control input device and configured for controlling the IC engine output and/or the IVT I/O ratio, dependent upon the output signal from the torque control input device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventors: Briton Todd Eastman, Clayton George Janasek
  • Publication number: 20070281826
    Abstract: The invention relates to power management of a off-highway vehicle. A power management apparatus is described as a vehicle control unit coupled to a vehicle and the vehicle control unit is in communication with an engine and a transmission controller. In response to power management input, the vehicle control unit sends a message to the transmission controller commanding a maximum torque limit based on the maximum drivetrain torque. The maximum torque limit is configured to optimize power to the vehicle implement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventors: Jahmy Hindman, Eric R. Anderson, Chris Maifield, Christopher Graham Parish, Jeremiah Joseph Bock, Daniel Pflieger, Kevin Lee Pfohl, Clayton George Janasek, Briton Todd Eastman, Michael Duane Testerman, Michael L. Frank
  • Publication number: 20040014563
    Abstract: A transmission controller determines a requested engine torque value. For an upshift the requested engine torque value is determined as a function of slippage of one of an off-going clutch. For a downshift, the requested engine torque value is determined as a function of actual sensed engine torque. The requested torque value is sent to an engine controller which controls the engine so that the engine generates the requested engine torque. Then the appropriate transmission clutches are swapped to complete the requested shift while the engine torque is controlled. The engine controller also limits engine torque to the requested engine torque value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Applicant: Deere & Company, a Delaware Corporation
    Inventors: Clayton George Janasek, Jared Scott Dobbins, Timothy Douglas Rice, Michael Duane Testerman, Michael John Pipho, Barry Edward Plassman
  • Patent number: 6435049
    Abstract: A method of controlling, in response to a shift command, a commanded shift of a powershift transmission of an engine-driven vehicle includes monitoring speeds transmission component selected according to the commanded shift and monitoring a speed ratio therefrom. If the input section will speed up during the commanded shift, the speed clutches are swapped, and then the output clutches are swapped when the monitored speed ratio matches a stored speed ratio. Also, the input speed of an input shaft of the transmission is monitored, and the pressure of the off-going output clutch is controlled to limit the deceleration of the input shaft speed to desired limits. If the input section will slow down during the commanded shift, the output clutches are swapped, and then the speed clutches are swapped when a monitored speed ratio matches a stored speed ratio. If a particular shift requires swapping of only speed clutches, then a speed ratio is monitored for the pair of the speed clutches to be swapped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Clayton George Janasek, Russell Dee Taylor, Richard Marvin Sparks
  • Patent number: 6193630
    Abstract: A powershift transmission of an engine-driven vehicle includes input and output shafts, a plurality of fluid pressure operated clutch for controlling flow of torque through the transmission and pressure control valves for controlling fluid pressure communicated to the clutches. A method of controlling an off-going clutch during a shift of the transmission includes detecting a load on the engine, as a function of the detected load, determining a slip pressure, which when applied to the clutch would cause the clutch to slip, and applying the slip pressure to the clutch. If the clutch is not slipping, the pressure applied to the clutch is reduced until relative rotation (slip) between the input and output elements of said clutch is detected. Then a pressure increase is determined, which when applied to the slipping clutch would allow the slipping clutch to continue to slip while transmitting the same torque it was transmitting before it began to slip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Clayton George Janasek, Richard Marvin Sparks