Patents by Inventor Dennis Heyne

Dennis Heyne 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: 20060237958
    Abstract: A system for automatically moving a stabilizer of a work vehicle is disclosed. A joystick is connected to an electronic controller, which in turn, is connected to valve drivers to drive stabilizer raising and lowering valves. In one mode of operation, the controller is programmed to move the stabilizers up or down at a rate that is proportional to the deflection of the joystick from a neutral position. If the operator holds the joystick in a certain position or range of positions, the controller enters a second mode in which it automatically raises the stabilizers even if the joystick is released. The stabilizer can be placed in a third mode of operation by moving the joystick rapidly back and forth. When the operator does this, the controller is configured to reduce the ramp rate or damping of its response to joystick movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Publication date: October 26, 2006
    Inventors: Peter Dix, Dennis Heyne
  • Patent number: 7032332
    Abstract: An electronic control for damping oscillation of a swinging backhoe assembly includes a crossover valve that connects the hydraulic lines that supply hydraulic fluid to the boom swing cylinders to each other whenever an electronic controller senses incipient oscillation or swinging of the backhoe assembly. The electronic controller senses such parameters as pressure in the conduits and the position of the operator controls or the position of the boom swing control valve that the operator controls to determine incipient oscillation when the backhoe assembly is stopped. The crossover valve may remain open for a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Eric Sharkness, Dennis Heyne, Richard J. Lech
  • Patent number: 6941687
    Abstract: An electronic control for damping oscillation of a swinging backhoe assembly includes a crossover valve that connects the hydraulic lines that supply hydraulic fluid to the boom swing cylinders to each other whenever an electronic controller senses incipient oscillation or swinging of the backhoe assembly. The electronic controller senses such parameters as pressure in the conduits and the position of the operator controls or the position of the boom swing control valve that the operator controls to determine incipient oscillation when the backhoe assembly is stopped. The crossover valve may remain open for a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Eric Sharkness, Dennis Heyne, Richard J. Lech
  • Patent number: 6886278
    Abstract: An electronic control for damping oscillation of a swinging backhoe assembly includes a crossover valve that connects the hydraulic lines that supply hydraulic fluid to the boom swing cylinders to each other whenever an electronic controller senses incipient oscillation or swinging of the backhoe assembly. The electronic controller senses such parameters as pressure in the conduits and the position of the operator controls or the position of the boom swing control valve that the operator controls to determine incipient oscillation when the backhoe assembly is stopped. The crossover valve may remain open for a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Eric Sharkness, Dennis Heyne, Richard J. Lech
  • Publication number: 20050082809
    Abstract: A system for automatically moving a stabilizer of a work vehicle is disclosed. A joystick is connected to an electronic controller, which in turn, is connected to valve drivers to drive stabilizer raising and lowering valves. In one mode of operation, the controller is programmed to move the stabilizers up or down at a rate that is proportional to the deflection of the joystick from a neutral position. If the operator holds the joystick in a certain position or range of positions, the controller enters a second mode in which it automatically raises the stabilizers even if the joystick is released. The stabilizer can be placed in a third mode of operation by moving the joystick rapidly back and forth. When the operator does this, the controller is configured to reduce the ramp rate or damping of its response to joystick movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Publication date: April 21, 2005
    Inventors: Peter Dix, Dennis Heyne
  • Publication number: 20030230010
    Abstract: An electronic control for damping oscillation of a swinging backhoe assembly includes a crossover valve that connects the hydraulic lines that supply hydraulic fluid to the boom swing cylinders to each other whenever an electronic controller senses incipient oscillation or swinging of the backhoe assembly. The electronic controller senses such parameters as pressure in the conduits and the position of the operator controls or the position of the boom swing control valve that the operator controls to determine incipient oscillation when the backhoe assembly is stopped. The crossover valve may remain open for a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Inventors: Eric Sharkness, Dennis Heyne, Richard J. Lech
  • Publication number: 20030226292
    Abstract: An electronic control for damping oscillation of a swinging backhoe assembly includes a crossover valve that connects the hydraulic lines that supply hydraulic fluid to the boom swing cylinders to each other whenever an electronic controller senses incipient oscillation or swinging of the backhoe assembly. The electronic controller senses such parameters as pressure in the conduits and the position of the operator controls or the position of the boom swing control valve that the operator controls to determine incipient oscillation when the backhoe assembly is stopped. The crossover valve may remain open for a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventors: Eric Sharkness, Dennis Heyne, Richard J. Lech
  • Patent number: 6647721
    Abstract: The invention provides a system for regulating pressure equalization in hydraulic mechanisms to suppress oscillation in heavy equipment. The system includes a first and second hydraulic lines, a crossover valve in communication with each of the first and second hydraulic lines, a timing system in communication with the crossover valve, and a motion detector in communication with a heavy equipment component. The motion detector senses a linkage motion and operatively opens the crossover valve, which remains open as directed by the timing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Case, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis Heyne, Richard J. Lech, Eric Sharkness, David W. Swaim, Guy T. Stoever, Ian MacLeod
  • Patent number: 6640409
    Abstract: A method for retrofitting a swing damping circuit to a work vehicle such as a backhoe includes disconnecting a boom swing valve from a boom swing cylinder, and coupling the swing damping circuit to the boom swing valve. Alternatively, it may include replacing a boom swing valve with a combined boom swing valve and swing damping circuit that form a unitary valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Case Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Sharkness, Dennis Heyne, Richard J. Lech
  • Publication number: 20030084663
    Abstract: The invention provides a system for regulating pressure equalization in hydraulic mechanisms to suppress oscillation in heavy equipment. The system includes a first and second hydraulic lines, a crossover valve in communication with each of the first and second hydraulic lines, a timing system in communication with the crossover valve, and a motion detector in communication with a heavy equipment component. The motion detector senses a linkage motion and operatively opens the crossover valve, which remains open as directed by the timing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventors: Dennis Heyne, Richard J. Lech, Eric Sharkness, David W. Swaim, Guy T. Stoever, Ian MacLeod
  • Publication number: 20030056353
    Abstract: A method for retrofitting a swing damping circuit to a work vehicle such as a backhoe includes disconnecting a boom swing valve from a boom swing cylinder, and coupling the swing damping circuit to the boom swing valve. Alternatively, it may include replacing a boom swing valve with a combined boom swing valve and swing damping circuit that form a unitary valve body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Applicant: CASE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eric Sharkness, Dennis Heyne, Richard J. Lech
  • Publication number: 20030056405
    Abstract: An electronic control for damping oscillation of a swinging backhoe assembly includes a crossover valve that connects the hydraulic lines that supply hydraulic fluid to the boom swing cylinders to each other whenever an electronic controller senses incipient oscillation or swinging of the backhoe assembly. The electronic controller senses such parameters as pressure in the conduits and the position of the operator controls or the position of the boom swing control valve that the operator controls to determine incipient oscillation when the backhoe assembly is stopped. The crossover valve may remain open for a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Applicant: CASE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eric Sharkness, Dennis Heyne, Richard J. Lech
  • Patent number: 6532738
    Abstract: A system for damping incipient oscillation in a linkage such as a backhoe assembly includes a crossover valve that connects the two supply lines that provide hydraulic fluid to a linkage actuator such as a boom swing hydraulic cylinder. The crossover valve is configured to open in response to the deceleration of the backhoe assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Case Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Sharkness, Dennis Heyne, Richard J. Lech
  • Publication number: 20020038548
    Abstract: A system for damping incipient oscillation in a linkage such as a backhoe assembly includes a crossover valve that connects the two supply lines that provide hydraulic fluid to a linkage actuator such as a boom swing hydraulic cylinder. The crossover valve is configured to open in response to the deceleration of the backhoe assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Publication date: April 4, 2002
    Applicant: CASE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eric Sharkness, Dennis Heyne, Richard J. Lech