Patents by Inventor Dwayne B. Watt
Dwayne B. Watt 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: 11787275Abstract: An electric drive assembly for operation with a component of a work vehicle having an SAE standard hydraulic pump/motor mount includes an electric machine having a shaft and a mounting flange. An adapter housing defines an interior space between a component mounting flange and an electric machine mounting flange. The electric machine mounting flange is sized and configured to mate with the mounting flange of the electric machine. The component mounting flange has a bolt hole pattern and a mounting pad each of a complementary size and configuration to that of the SAE standard hydraulic pump/motor mount. A gear set at least in part disposed in the interior space of the adapter housing is configured to effect a gear ratio change and transfer power between the shaft of the electric machine and a drive shaft.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2020Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Dwayne B. Watt, Randall L. Long
-
Patent number: 11248680Abstract: A hydraulic power module for a crop harvester, and in particular a cotton harvester, having an engine. The hydraulic power module includes a main drive gear, a drive shaft extending through the main drive gear, and a clutch operatively connected to the drive shaft, wherein the clutch has an engaged position and a disengaged position. The engaged position of the clutch fixedly connects the main drive gear to the drive shaft and the disengaged position of the clutch disconnects the main drive gear drive from the drive shaft. The hydraulic power module further includes a first pump device directly coupled to the drive shaft, wherein the first pump device is driven by the drive shaft during rotation of the drive shaft. A second pump device is indirectly connected to the drive shaft through the clutch, and is driven by the drive shaft when the clutch is in the engaged position.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2018Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: James T. Noonan, Dwayne B. Watt, Cecil H. Wise, Jr., Steven D. Wallestad, Mark A. Cracraft, Jerry E. White, Cole D. Miller
-
Publication number: 20210388825Abstract: An electric drive assembly for operation with a component of a work vehicle having an SAE standard hydraulic pump/motor mount includes an electric machine having a shaft and a mounting flange. An adapter housing defines an interior space between a component mounting flange and an electric machine mounting flange. The electric machine mounting flange is sized and configured to mate with the mounting flange of the electric machine. The component mounting flange has a bolt hole pattern and a mounting pad each of a complementary size and configuration to that of the SAE standard hydraulic pump/motor mount. A gear set at least in part disposed in the interior space of the adapter housing is configured to effect a gear ratio change and transfer power between the shaft of the electric machine and a drive shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2020Publication date: December 16, 2021Inventors: Dwayne B. Watt, Randall L. Long
-
Patent number: 11084369Abstract: A hybrid transmission module for a work vehicle is provided. The work vehicle has a chassis and a prime mover carried by the chassis, and the hybrid transmission module includes a mounting bracket configured to mount to one or more of the chassis and the prime mover, a transmission assembly mounted to the mounting bracket, and a hydraulic-electric drive assembly including a manifold mounted to the mounting bracket. The manifold mounts a hydraulic pump and an electric machine and is configured to transfer rotational power from the prime mover to the hydraulic pump and the electric machine. The electric machine, at least in part, drives the transmission assembly.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2019Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Dwayne B. Watt, Randall L. Long
-
Patent number: 11060589Abstract: A work vehicle reduction drive assembly includes a drive having a drive shaft mechanically linked to a movable work component through a planetary gear train is. The planetary gear train includes a ring gear having a tooth count of Tring, a sun gear having a tooth count of Tsun, and a planet-carrier assembly including a plurality of planet gears each having a tooth count of Tplanet. Tring, Tsun, and Tplanet are selected such that each planet gear in the plurality of planet gears contacts at least two teeth of the sun gear and at least two teeth of the ring gear in all rotational positions of the planetary gear train. The sum of Tring and Tsun yields a positive integer when divided by a first number from a set {3, 4, 5} and when divided by a second number from the set {3, 4, 5}.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2019Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Douglas S. Base, Dwayne B. Watt
-
Publication number: 20210131529Abstract: A work vehicle reduction drive assembly includes a drive having a drive shaft mechanically linked to a movable work component through a planetary gear train is. The planetary gear train includes a ring gear having a tooth count of Tring, a sun gear having a tooth count of Tsun, and a planet-carrier assembly including a plurality of planet gears each having a tooth count of Tplanet, Tring, Tsun, and Tplanet are selected such that each planet gear in the plurality of planet gears contacts at least two teeth of the sun gear and at least two teeth of the ring gear in all rotational positions of the planetary gear train. The sum of Tring and Tsun yields a positive integer when divided by a first number from a set {3, 4, 5} and when divided by a second number from the set {3, 4, 5}.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2019Publication date: May 6, 2021Inventors: Douglas S. Base, Dwayne B. Watt
-
Patent number: 10988193Abstract: An implement drive system is provided for an implement towed by a prime mover vehicle in a work vehicle train. The system includes an axle arrangement and an auxiliary power unit. The auxiliary power unit includes an electric motor; a planetary gear set receiving rotational input from the electric motor and providing a rotational output with a decreased rotational speed and an increased torque relative to the rotational input; and a disconnect device having an output configured to be coupled to the axle arrangement. The disconnect device is movable to a first position in which the disconnect device transfers the rotational output from the planetary gear set to the axle arrangement such the rotational input drives the wheels of the implement. The disconnect device is movable to a second position in which the disconnect device decouples the axle arrangement from the rotational input of the electric motor.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2018Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Dwayne B. Watt, Randall L. Long
-
Publication number: 20200269673Abstract: A hybrid transmission module for a work vehicle is provided. The work vehicle has a chassis and a prime mover carried by the chassis, and the hybrid transmission module includes a mounting bracket configured to mount to one or more of the chassis and the prime mover, a transmission assembly mounted to the mounting bracket, and a hydraulic-electric drive assembly including a manifold mounted to the mounting bracket. The manifold mounts a hydraulic pump and an electric machine and is configured to transfer rotational power from the prime mover to the hydraulic pump and the electric machine. The electric machine, at least in part, drives the transmission assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2019Publication date: August 27, 2020Inventors: DWAYNE B. WATT, RANDALL L. LONG
-
Patent number: 10753322Abstract: Systems for harvesting machines, transmissions for harvesting machines, and methods of operating systems for harvesting machines are disclosed herein. A system includes a drive unit, a cleaner unit, an aspirator, and a transmission. The drive unit is configured to produce rotational power in use of the system. The cleaner unit is fluidly coupled to the drive unit and configured to separate debris from air so that the air becomes cleaned air and provide the cleaned air to the drive unit in use of the system. The aspirator is fluidly coupled to the cleaner unit and configured to draw debris away from the cleaner unit and exhaust the debris in use of the system. The transmission is coupled to the drive unit and the aspirator.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2019Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: James T. Noonan, Shaun J. Miller, Dwayne B. Watt, Cecil H. Wise, Jr.
-
Publication number: 20200256291Abstract: Systems for harvesting machines, transmissions for harvesting machines, and methods of operating systems for harvesting machines are disclosed herein. A system includes a drive unit, a cleaner unit, an aspirator, and a transmission. The drive unit is configured to produce rotational power in use of the system. The cleaner unit is fluidly coupled to the drive unit and configured to separate debris from air so that the air becomes cleaned air and provide the cleaned air to the drive unit in use of the system. The aspirator is fluidly coupled to the cleaner unit and configured to draw debris away from the cleaner unit and exhaust the debris in use of the system. The transmission is coupled to the drive unit and the aspirator.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2019Publication date: August 13, 2020Inventors: James T. Noonan, Shaun J. Miller, Dwayne B. Watt, Cecil H. Wise, JR.
-
Publication number: 20200166100Abstract: A hydraulic power module for a crop harvester, and in particular a cotton harvester, having an engine. The hydraulic power module includes a main drive gear, a drive shaft extending through the main drive gear, and a clutch operatively connected to the drive shaft, wherein the clutch has an engaged position and a disengaged position. The engaged position of the clutch fixedly connects the main drive gear to the drive shaft and the disengaged position of the clutch disconnects the main drive gear drive from the drive shaft. The hydraulic power module further includes a first pump device directly coupled to the drive shaft, wherein the first pump device is driven by the drive shaft during rotation of the drive shaft. A second pump device is indirectly connected to the drive shaft through the clutch, and is driven by the drive shaft when the clutch is in the engaged position.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2018Publication date: May 28, 2020Inventors: James T. Noonan, Dwayne B. Watt, Cecil H. Wise, JR., Steven D. Wallestad, Mark A. Cracraft, Jerry E. White, Cole D. Miller
-
Patent number: 10576821Abstract: A drive mechanism comprises a flywheel, a flywheel damper removably connected to the flywheel, a pump drive, and an intermediate shaft. The pump drive comprises a housing, an input shaft mounted to the housing for rotation relative thereto about an axis of rotation, and a seal surrounding the input shaft to establish a sealed connection therewith. The intermediate shaft is co-axial with the input shaft relative to the axis of rotation and removably connected to the flywheel damper and the input shaft. The seal is replaceable. An associated method for replacing the seal is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2018Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Cecil H. Wise, Jr., Dwayne B. Watt, Randall L. Long, Danny G. Voth
-
Patent number: 10514084Abstract: A power transmission system is disclosed for infinitely variable speed capability. The power transmission system includes a pair of power units, each configured to deliver a rotational torque to drive an output element. A transmission arrangement receives the rotational torques from the power units and delivers a resulting torque to the output element. The transmission arrangement includes a gear set coupling the one power unit to the output element to deliver torque through a mechanical meshing engagement that is continuously effected between the first power unit and the output element.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2017Date of Patent: December 24, 2019Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Dwayne B. Watt, G. William Detrick, Randall L. Long
-
Publication number: 20190299780Abstract: A drive mechanism comprises a flywheel, a flywheel damper removably connected to the flywheel, a pump drive, and an intermediate shaft. The pump drive comprises a housing, an input shaft mounted to the housing for rotation relative thereto about an axis of rotation, and a seal surrounding the input shaft to establish a sealed connection therewith. The intermediate shaft is co-axial with the input shaft relative to the axis of rotation and removably connected to the flywheel damper and the input shaft. The seal is replaceable. An associated method for replacing the seal is disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2018Publication date: October 3, 2019Inventors: Cecil H. Wise, JR., Dwayne B. Watt, Randall L. Long, Danny G. Voth
-
Publication number: 20190256097Abstract: An implement drive system is provided for an implement towed by a prime mover vehicle in a work vehicle train. The system includes an axle arrangement and an auxiliary power unit. The auxiliary power unit includes an electric motor; a planetary gear set receiving rotational input from the electric motor and providing a rotational output with a decreased rotational speed and an increased torque relative to the rotational input; and a disconnect device having an output configured to be coupled to the axle arrangement. The disconnect device is movable to a first position in which the disconnect device transfers the rotational output from the planetary gear set to the axle arrangement such the rotational input drives the wheels of the implement. The disconnect device is movable to a second position in which the disconnect device decouples the axle arrangement from the rotational input of the electric motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2018Publication date: August 22, 2019Inventors: Dwayne B. Watt, Randall L. Long
-
Publication number: 20190113110Abstract: A power transmission system is disclosed for infinitely variable speed capability. The power transmission system includes a pair of power units, each configured to deliver a rotational torque to drive an output element. A transmission arrangement receives the rotational torques from the power units and delivers a resulting torque to the output element. The transmission arrangement includes a gear set coupling the one power unit to the output element to deliver torque through a mechanical meshing engagement that is continuously effected between the first power unit and the output element.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2017Publication date: April 18, 2019Inventors: Dwayne B. Watt, G. William Detrick, Randall L. Long
-
Publication number: 20190054915Abstract: A brake assist system is disclosed for assisting the steering operations of a mobile vehicle. The brake assist system comprises a service brake assembly having a first brake device and a second brake device and an auxiliary control assembly coupled to the service brake assembly. An electronic control unit is communicatively coupled to the auxiliary control assembly and configured to receive an input signal indicative of a vehicle operating parameter comprising at least one of a steering angle generated by a vehicle guidance system or a vehicle speed error and generates a control signal to activate the main and secondary valve circuits by proportionally controlling an output of at least two control valves arranged in the main and secondary valve circuits to supply a pressurized flow of fluid is applied to at least one of the first or second brake devices to assist steering operations of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2017Publication date: February 21, 2019Inventors: James T. Noonan, Steven D. Wallestad, Jerry E. White, Dwayne B. Watt, Kevin J. Goering
-
Patent number: 10190662Abstract: A high efficiency work vehicle drivetrain contains a variator having an inline dual planetary configuration. The work vehicle drivetrain includes an engine, an auxiliary power takeoff (PTO) shaft coupled to the engine and rotatable about a primary power path axis when driven by the engine, and the variator assembly. The variator assembly includes a variator motor and a variator gearbox. The variator gearbox contains a planetary gear system, which is coupled to the variator motor and to the auxiliary PTO shaft. The planetary gear system is rotatable about a planetary axis, which is coaxial with the primary power path axis.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2016Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Dwayne B. Watt, Cecil H. Wise, Jr., George W. Detrick
-
Patent number: 10180185Abstract: A modular assembly is described for a power train. An assembly housing includes first and second cavities connected by an inter-cavity passage. An input shaft and an output shaft linked by a first clutch are disposed, at least in part, in the first cavity. A hydraulic control assembly provides hydraulic control signals to control, at least in part, the first clutch device. A hydraulic quill insert disposed, at least in part, in the inter-cavity passage, includes a plurality of control passages. The hydraulic quill insert receives the hydraulic control signals and directs the signals to control power flow from the input shaft to the output shaft.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2016Date of Patent: January 15, 2019Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Dwayne B. Watt, G. William Detrick, Cecil H. Wise, Jr.
-
Patent number: 10125848Abstract: High efficiency work vehicle drivetrains containing variator assemblies are provided. In one embodiment, the work vehicle drivetrain includes an engine, a variator assembly, and an auxiliary power takeoff (PTO) shaft, which is coupled to the engine and rotatable about a primary power path axis when driven by the engine. The variator assembly includes, in turn, a variator motor and a variator gearbox. The variator gearbox contains a planetary gear system, which is coupled to the variator motor and to the auxiliary PTO shaft. The planetary gear system is rotatable about a planetary axis substantially parallel and offset from the primary power path axis.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2016Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Dwayne B. Watt, Cecil H. Wise, Jr., George W. Detrick