Patents by Inventor Craig A. Puetz

Craig A. Puetz 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).

  • Publication number: 20230265864
    Abstract: An auxiliary hydraulic system including an accumulator, a control valve, and a hydraulic connector. The accumulator connects to a primary hydraulic system including a hydraulic pump, a brake circuit, and a steering circuit. The control valve selectively allows or prevents flow from an accumulator to at least one of the brake circuit and the steering circuit. The hydraulic connector selectively connects an external source to the accumulator and the control valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2022
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: JEFFREY L. LUBBEN, CRAIG A. PUETZ, Nathanael K. Rehn
  • Patent number: 9981665
    Abstract: A power train arrangement for a work vehicle with an engine may include an infinitely variable power source (“IVP”). An energy storage device may be configured to receive energy from the IVP for storage and to provide stored energy from the energy storage device to power one or more components of the IVP. A transmission may be configured to relay power from the engine and from the one or more components of the IVP to other components of the vehicle. A transient power event may be identified, during which a present operating state of the engine does not provide sufficient power for operations of the work vehicle. The energy storage device may be caused to provide stored energy to power the one or more components of the IVP source and thereby to provide power to the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Andrew K. Rekow, Nicolai Tarasinski, Rainer Gugel, Dennis L. Jeffries, David Mueller, Craig A. Puetz, Norbert Fritz
  • Patent number: 9487073
    Abstract: A power train and related vehicle are described for continuously variable transmission of power. A gear set includes first and second input components and an output component. An engine provides mechanical power to the first input component and, when a clutch device is in a first state, to a first continuously variable power source (“CVP”). With the clutch device in a second state, the first CVP is decoupled from the engine. A second CVP receives non-mechanical power from the first CVP, and converts the non-mechanical power to mechanical power. When a brake device is not engaged, the second CVP provides the resulting mechanical power to the second input component. When the brake device is engaged, the brake device prevents the second input component from rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Galen R. Love, Briton T. Eastman, Alfred S. Smemo, Craig A. Puetz, Craig R. Eike
  • Publication number: 20150300471
    Abstract: A power train and related vehicle are described for continuously variable transmission of power. A gear set includes first and second input components and an output component. An engine provides mechanical power to the first input component and, when a clutch device is in a first state, to a first continuously variable power source (“CVP”). With the clutch device in a second state, the first CVP is decoupled from the engine. A second CVP receives non-mechanical power from the first CVP, and converts the non-mechanical power to mechanical power. When a brake device is not engaged, the second CVP provides the resulting mechanical power to the second input component. When the brake device is engaged, the brake device prevents the second input component from rotating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Applicant: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Galen R. Love, Briton T. Eastman, Alfred S. Smemo, Craig A. Puetz, Craig R. EIKE
  • Publication number: 20150183436
    Abstract: A power train arrangement for a work vehicle with an engine may include an infinitely variable power source (“IVP”). An energy storage device may be configured to receive energy from the IVP for storage and to provide stored energy from the energy storage device to power one or more components of the IVP. A transmission may be configured to relay power from the engine and from the one or more components of the IVP to other components of the vehicle. A transient power event may be identified, during which a present operating state of the engine does not provide sufficient power for operations of the work vehicle. The energy storage device may be caused to provide stored energy to power the one or more components of the IVP source and thereby to provide power to the transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Inventors: Andrew K. Rekow, Nicolai Tarasinski, Rainer Gugel, Dennis L. Jeffries, David Mueller, Craig A. Puetz, Norbert Fritz
  • Patent number: 9037346
    Abstract: A steering control system is disclosed for a vehicle train with a tow vehicle, a first towed vehicle with at least one ground-engaging member, and a second towed vehicle. A steering assembly may be configured to control steering of the at least one ground-engaging member. One or more sensing devices may be configured to determine orientation information for one or more of the tow vehicle, the first towed vehicle, and the second towed vehicle, during operation of the vehicle train. A steering correction may be determined for the second towed vehicle based upon the determined orientation information. The steering correction may be applied for the second towed vehicle by controlling the steering assembly to steer the first towed vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Gary S. Keys, II, Christopher A. Myers, Craig A. Puetz, Andrew K. Rekow, Alan D. Sheidler, Noel W. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20150051795
    Abstract: A steering control system is disclosed for a vehicle train with a tow vehicle, a first towed vehicle with at least one ground-engaging member, and a second towed vehicle. A steering assembly may be configured to control steering of the at least one ground-engaging member. One or more sensing devices may be configured to determine orientation information for one or more of the tow vehicle, the first towed vehicle, and the second towed vehicle, during operation of the vehicle train. A steering correction may be determined for the second towed vehicle based upon the determined orientation information. The steering correction may be applied for the second towed vehicle by controlling the steering assembly to steer the first towed vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Gary S. Keys, II, Christopher A. Myers, Craig A. Puetz, Andrew K. Rekow
  • Patent number: 8206253
    Abstract: A method is provided for adjusting the displacement angles of two hydrostatic units in an infinitely variable hydro-mechanical transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Ryan P. Lindsay, Trent L. Goodnight, Craig A. Puetz, Chad W. Seuser
  • Patent number: 7694794
    Abstract: A PTO clutch includes a lubrication shut-off valve that can slide between a first position blocking a port for lubrication oil to lubricate the PTO clutch, and a second position opening the port to lubricate the clutch. A relief valve is provided in the lubrication shut off valve, which opens in response to pressure spikes of activation oil and isolates the pressure spikes from the clutch piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Brian E. Biles, Craig A. Puetz, Chad E. Schoneman
  • Publication number: 20100062889
    Abstract: A method is provided for adjusting the displacement angles of two hydrostatic units in an infinitely variable hydro-mechanical transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventors: Ryan P. Lindsay, Trent L. Goodnight, Craig A. Puetz, Chad W. Seuser
  • Publication number: 20080296115
    Abstract: A PTO clutch includes a lubrication shut-off valve that can slide between a first position blocking a port for lubrication oil to lubricate the PTO clutch, and a second position opening the port to lubricate the clutch. A relief valve is provided in the lubrication shut off valve, which opens in response to pressure spikes of activation oil and isolates the pressure spikes from the clutch piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Brian E. Biles, Craig A. Puetz, Chad E. Schoneman
  • Patent number: 5390751
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a planetary steering system for a skid steered vehicle. A prime mover directs rotational motion through right and left drive shafts having planetary carriers with planet gears. The planet gears of the right and left planetary carriers rotate around a right and left sun gears that are coupled to right and left hydraulic steering motors. The planet gears rotate in right and left ring gears that are coupled to the right and left drive wheels of the vehicle. By rotating the motors the speed of the drive wheels can be independently controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Craig A. Puetz, Mervin P. Kizlyk, James A. Nagorcka
  • Patent number: 5117702
    Abstract: A sixteen forward speed, four reverse speed transmission is provided having a very high efficiency and excellent shift quality. The gear ratios are selected so that a relatively large ratio spacing is provided between each gear step in the low-speed PTO usage range and in the high-speed transport usage range, while a much smaller gear ratio spacing is provided in the intermediate tillage or field usage range. The gear ratios are selected to minimize the number of clutches being changed to shift from one gear to the next, with minimal speed and momentum differences required inside the transmission during each shift. Just two shifts have a large ratio change, and they are positioned in locations having minimal usage, thereby minimizing operator awareness of these gear ratio spacings. The total number of meshes through the transmission is minimized to provide maximum efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1992
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Reno A. Rodeghiero, Craig A. Puetz, Donald I. Malm, Douglas R. Johnson