Patents by Inventor Elizabeth H. Steenbergen

Elizabeth H. Steenbergen 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: 8924127
    Abstract: A ground engaging vehicle including a frame, an engine, a controller, an accelerator, a position sensor and an interpreter. The engine is supported by the frame and the engine includes a throttle. The controller is in communication with the engine. The position sensor is associated with the accelerator. The position sensor generates a first signal corresponding to a position of the accelerator. The interpreter receives the first signal from the position sensor and generates a second signal dependent upon the first signal. The interpreter communicates the second signal to the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Kristen D. Cadman, Elizabeth H. Steenbergen, Steve G. Fleischmann, Dennis P Reiter
  • Patent number: 8718880
    Abstract: A ground engaging vehicle including a frame, an engine connected to the frame, a controller, and a hydraulic system powered by the engine. The hydraulic system includes a plurality of actuators, a plurality of valves, and at least one sensor. The plurality of valves include a first valve associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of actuators. Each of the plurality of valves is operatively connected to the controller. The at least one sensor is adapted to send a signal to the controller indicating a hydraulic connectivity through the first valve. The controller is adapted to open the first valve allowing hydraulic fluid to pressurize a first actuator until the first actuator is driven to an end of its stroke. The controller is further adapted to close the valve and send an increasing current to the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Kristen D. Cadman, Elizabeth H. Steenbergen
  • Patent number: 8504249
    Abstract: A work vehicle includes a mechanical front wheel drive (MFWD) and a controller unit for automatically controlling the MFWD based at least on a MFWD request signal, a speed ratio request signal, and a brake-status signal. The MFWD request is overridden if the speed ratio request is for a predetermined speed ratio (such as fourth gear), and the overriding of the MFWD request is interrupted if the brake-status signal indicates that a brake of the work vehicle is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Miller, Dennis P. Reiter, Bruce A. Musmaker, Elizabeth H. Steenbergen
  • Publication number: 20110184627
    Abstract: A ground engaging vehicle including a frame, an engine, a controller, an accelerator, a position sensor and an interpreter. The engine is supported by the frame and the engine includes a throttle. The controller is in communication with the engine. The position sensor is associated with the accelerator. The position sensor generates a first signal corresponding to a position of the accelerator. The interpreter receives the first signal from the position sensor and generates a second signal dependent upon the first signal. The interpreter communicates the second signal to the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventors: Kristen D. Cadman, Elizabeth H. Steenbergen, Steve G. Fleischmann, Dennis P. Reiter
  • Publication number: 20110061448
    Abstract: A ground engaging vehicle including a frame, an engine connected to the frame, a controller, and a hydraulic system powered by the engine. The hydraulic system includes a plurality of actuators, a plurality of valves, and at least one sensor. The plurality of valves include a first valve associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of actuators. Each of the plurality of valves is operatively connected to the controller. The at least one sensor is adapted to send a signal to the controller indicating a hydraulic connectivity through the first valve. The controller is adapted to open the first valve allowing hydraulic fluid to pressurize a first actuator until the first actuator is driven to an end of its stroke. The controller is further adapted to close the valve and send an increasing current to the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventors: Kristen D. Cadman, Elizabeth H. Steenbergen
  • Patent number: 7814749
    Abstract: A method for controlling a hydraulic system includes receiving an operator command signal via an operator command input device; receiving a throttle position signal from a throttle; retrieving from a memory a first predetermined correlation between the operator command signal and a corresponding command flow rate; retrieving from the memory a second predetermined correlation between the throttle position signal and a corresponding available flow rate from a hydraulic pump; determining the command flow rate based on the first predetermined correlation and the operator command signal; determining the available flow rate based on the second predetermined correlation and the throttle position signal; and providing a control signal based on the available flow rate and the command flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Kristen D. Cadman, Elizabeth H. Steenbergen
  • Publication number: 20100222975
    Abstract: A work vehicle (10) comprises a MFWD (13) and a controller unit (42) for automatically controlling the MFWD (13) based on speed ratio and other possible input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Miller, Dennis P. Reiter, Bruce A. Musmaker, Elizabeth H. Steenbergen
  • Publication number: 20090220350
    Abstract: A method for controlling a hydraulic system includes receiving an operator command signal via an operator command input device; receiving a throttle position signal from a throttle; retrieving from a memory a first predetermined correlation between the operator command signal and a corresponding command flow rate; retrieving from the memory a second predetermined correlation between the throttle position signal and a corresponding available flow rate from a hydraulic pump; determining the command flow rate based on the first predetermined correlation and the operator command signal; determining the available flow rate based on the second predetermined correlation and the throttle position signal; and providing a control signal based on the available flow rate and the command flow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventors: Kristen D. Cadman, Elizabeth H. Steenbergen