Patents by Inventor Donovan Knutson

Donovan Knutson 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: 20240076852
    Abstract: A hydraulically driven utility vehicle, such as a wheel loader or track loader, can automatically shift between two or more operating speed ranges based on prevailing operating conditions. The default condition may be a low speed range, and the vehicle may shift into a high speed range only if an output speed of the vehicle's hydraulic drive motor exceeds a designated threshold. The designated threshold may, for example, be a designated percentage of maximum speed. The machine may automatically shift back to the lower speed range if the output speed of the hydraulic drive motor drops beneath a second designated threshold that may lower than the first designated threshold. Other operating conditions, such as commanded speed, engine load and engine speed, may also be taken into account when determining whether to auto-shift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2022
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventor: Donovan Knutson
  • Publication number: 20240034403
    Abstract: A compaction machine system includes a compaction machine in communication with a remote control. The compaction machine includes a mobile chassis with a first and second subframes pivotably connected at a pivot connection, a steering angle sensor, a steering actuator for causing the first and second subframes to pivot, and a control unit in communication with the steering angle sensor and with the steering actuator. The control unit determines an operational stroke of the of the steering actuator and controls the steering actuator based on the input from the direction control and the determined operational stroke of the steering actuator. When the steering actuator is at a limit of its operational stroke, the control unit overrides commands from the direction control that otherwise would result in extending or retracting the steering actuator stroke beyond its operational limit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Donovan Knutson, Andrew Hensch
  • Patent number: 11365801
    Abstract: A utility vehicle such as a loader includes a drive control system that includes an electronic controller and a manually actuated drive command device, such as one or more joysticks. The electronic controller is configured to control the drive control system to supply propulsive power at a predetermined output that is lower than that which is commanded by the drive command device for so long as an output of the drive control system is beneath a designated threshold, maintaining vehicle speed lower than a commanded vehicle speed. The electronic controller is further configured to control the drive control system to ramp up the propulsive power supply toward that which is commanded by the drive command device when the output of the drive control system is above the designated threshold, causing the vehicle speed to approach a commanded vehicle speed. The vehicle may include a EH drive system such as a hydrostatic drive system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Inventor: Donovan Knutson
  • Publication number: 20210062912
    Abstract: A utility vehicle such as a loader includes a drive control system that includes an electronic controller and a manually actuated drive command device, such as one or more joysticks. The electronic controller is configured to control the drive control system to supply propulsive power at a predetermined output that is lower than that which is commanded by the drive command device for so long as an output of the drive control system is beneath a designated threshold, maintaining vehicle speed lower than a commanded vehicle speed. The electronic controller is further configured to control the drive control system to ramp up the propulsive power supply toward that which is commanded by the drive command device when the output of the drive control system is above the designated threshold, causing the vehicle speed to approach a commanded vehicle speed. The vehicle may include a EH drive system such as a hydrostatic drive system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Applicant: Wacker Nueson Production Americas LLC
    Inventor: Donovan Knutson
  • Patent number: 10000244
    Abstract: A vehicle with a manual controlled hydrostatic pump and a pod that can be rotated between an open position and closed position without disconnecting operator controls in the pod from the manual controlled hydrostatic pump. The pod may also be physically isolated form the vehicle frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Wacker Neuson Production Americas, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Donovan Knutson
  • Publication number: 20170233015
    Abstract: A vehicle with a manual controlled hydrostatic pump and a pod that can be rotated between an open position and closed position without disconnecting operator controls in the pod from the manual controlled hydrostatic pump. The pod may also be physically isolated form the vehicle frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: Wacker Neuson Production Americas L.L.C.
    Inventor: Donovan Knutson