Patents by Inventor David C. Janzen

David C. Janzen 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: 9937969
    Abstract: An agricultural vehicle having a full-track design with a vehicle structure on each side of which, relative to a vehicle longitudinal axis, a track roller unit is arranged. The track roller unit has roller unit body to which a front deflector roll, a rear deflector roller and a plurality of yoke-type track rollers arranged therebetween are coupled, and an endlessly closed track belt that wraps around the rollers/roller. All the rollers are suspended with respect to the roller unit body in that assigned to a roller or a group of rollers in each case is a spring element, which is acted upon by fluid, for the suspension thereof with respect to the roller unit body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: CLAAS Industrietechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Obermeier-Hartmann, Hendrik Schulze Zumkley, Thomas Schulte, Ronald L. Satzler, David C. Janzen, Carolin Hammacher
  • Patent number: 9359021
    Abstract: An agricultural tractor includes a pair of track assemblies including rubber treads with track bars, a front wheel assembly and a controller. The track assemblies are interconnected by respective front and rear axles extending substantially perpendicular to a direction of travel. The controller automatically controls a load imposed on the front wheel assembly in order to control the load imposed at the front axle of the track assemblies to minimize rubber tread wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: CLAAS Industrietechnik GmbH
    Inventors: David C. Janzen, Ronald L. Satzler
  • Publication number: 20160023695
    Abstract: An agricultural vehicle having a full-track design with a vehicle structure on each side of which, relative to a vehicle longitudinal axis, a track roller unit is arranged. The track roller unit has roller unit body to which a front deflector roll, a rear deflector roller and a plurality of yoke-type track rollers arranged therebetween are coupled, and an endlessly closed track belt that wraps around the rollers/roller. All the rollers are suspended with respect to the roller unit body in that assigned to a roller or a group of rollers in each case is a spring element, which is acted upon by fluid, for the suspension thereof with respect to the roller unit body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Robert Obermeier-Hartmann, Hendrik Schultze Zumkley, Thomas Schulte, Ronald L. Satzler, David C. Janzen, Carolin Hammacher
  • Publication number: 20140216828
    Abstract: An agricultural tractor includes a pair of track assemblies including rubber treads with track bars, a front wheel assembly and a controller. The track assemblies are interconnected by respective front and rear axles extending substantially perpendicular to a direction of travel. The controller automatically controls a load imposed on the front wheel assembly in order to control the load imposed at the front axle of the track assemblies to minimize rubber tread wear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: CLAAS INDUSTRIETECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: David C. Janzen, Ronald L. Satzler
  • Patent number: 8727047
    Abstract: A tractor configuration includes a mainframe structure, a control station having a means of controlling the tractor, an undercarriage system having one left side and one right side track assembly, a wheel mechanism containing one or more wheels located forward of the track assemblies, a power train for forcing both track assemblies to travel at the same or different speeds, a controller responsible for exerting force to transfer vertical load back and forth between the front portion of the track assemblies and the wheel mechanism and controlling the amount of weight carried by the wheel mechanism. The controller causes or allows the wheel or wheels of the wheel mechanism to follow the tractor's curved path caused by track speed difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: CLAAS Industrietechnik GmbH
    Inventors: David C. Janzen, Ronald L. Satzler
  • Patent number: 8626408
    Abstract: An integrated system for row-producing in agriculture fields comprises several implements each having an elevated central frame, an undercarriage assembly with a rear active steering system and the undercarriage assembly is rear located and being behind the structures of toolbar and row units. The rear active steering system controlled by a GPS system comprises a steer angle sensor and a closed loop continuous feedback system, with the purpose of keeping a precise lateral location. This integrated system also comprises an active toolbar height controlling system. When needed, the undercarriage assembly can be disconnected from the implement. This integrated system functions to reduce compactions in the field and ensure lateral accuracy of the implement movement. The integrated system works as a strip tiller, and as a planter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Inventors: Ronald L. Satzler, David C. Janzen
  • Publication number: 20070236085
    Abstract: A track roller unit for a vehicle has at least one pivotable subframe, at least one further pivotable subframe, wherein each of the subframes rotatably accommodates at least one land wheel, at least one subframe is pivotably mountable on the vehicle, and at least the further substrate is pivotally mounted on the one subframe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Inventors: RONALD L. SATZLER, David C. Janzen
  • Patent number: 6141614
    Abstract: A computer-aided farming system having a first control system which receives data defining a plurality of parameters. The first control system responsively determines a plurality of nodes located at an agricultural field, and determines a condition status associated with each node. The system also has a second control system located on an agricultural machine which receives data defining the nodes and the condition status at each node. The second control system then plans a path as a function of the nodes, and determines a desired work operation relative to each node. A machine controller controls the agricultural machine to perform the desired work operation at each node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Janzen, Louis G. Alster
  • Patent number: 4630685
    Abstract: Earthmoving machines and earthmoving implements are difficult to operate to achieve maximum implement power and to control the implement under changing working conditions. The instant apparatus is designed to maximize implement power by automatically sensing and responding to variables related to implement power and to control the implement by automatically sensing and responding to the longitudinal angular velocity of the machine. The apparatus includes a mechanism for moving the implement in response to sensed variables related to implement power, a transducer for sensing the longitudinal angular velocity of the machine, and a control for modifying the implement position in response to the sensed angular velocity of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1986
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Francis B. Huck, Jr., David C. Janzen