Patents by Inventor Eric A. Keen
Eric A. Keen 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).
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Patent number: 12528318Abstract: A compact rotary union assembly for inflating and deflating a tire mounted to a hub having a hub housing. The compact rotary union assembly includes a spindle, an inner sleeve, and an outer sleeve. The spindle includes a spindle channel. The inner sleeve includes a flange portion, a cylinder portion coupled to the flange portion, a bore extending through the flange portion and the cylinder portion, and an inner sleeve channel located within the flange portion and the cylinder portion. The inner sleeve channel is coupled to a first port and to the spindle channel. An outer sleeve includes an outer sleeve channel, coupled to the spindle channel and to a second port, wherein the cylinder portion is located within an outer sleeve bore of the outer sleeve. A first and a second air seal are located within the outer sleeve on either side of an air track.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2023Date of Patent: January 20, 2026Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Rafael Gaxiola Cockburn, Mark D. Klein, John R. Vande Kemp, Eric A. Keen
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Patent number: 12194915Abstract: An agricultural work vehicle includes a chassis, a cab mounted to the chassis and including a work space for an operator to control the work vehicle, and a controller for controlling operation of the work vehicle. The work vehicle further includes a lighting system having at least one array field light for illuminating an area on or around the work vehicle. A light control module is disposed in electrical communication with the controller and is configured to operably control the at least one array field light. The controller transmits a signal to the light control module, and the at least one array field light transmits a light signal corresponding to the signal which is receivable by a receiving module on another work vehicle or implement.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2023Date of Patent: January 14, 2025Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Nathan R. Demski, Eric A. Keen, Brian M. Huenink, Michael R. Gratton
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Patent number: 12172631Abstract: A soil measure, such as a soil cone index, and a vehicle index indicating the amount of force the vehicle exerts on the ground as it travels over the ground, are obtained and compared to identify a soil damage score. The soil damage score can be mapped over a field and an agricultural vehicle can be controlled based upon the soil damage score. In another example, a detector detects a fill level of a material storage compartment on an agricultural vehicle. The inflation pressure of tires on the agricultural vehicle is controlled based upon the detected fill level.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2022Date of Patent: December 24, 2024Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Benjamin C. Potter, Eric A. Keen, Mark D. Klein, Lee A. Johnson
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Patent number: 11955093Abstract: An agricultural work vehicle for operating in a field includes a chassis, a cab mounted to the chassis for an operator to control the work vehicle, a controller for controlling operation of the work vehicle, a lighting system of the work vehicle comprising at least one array field light, and a light control module disposed in electrical communication with the controller. The light control module operably controls the at least one array field light. The controller transmits a signal to the light control module indicative of information about the work vehicle. The at least one array field light projects the information onto the field at a location visible to the operator while operating the work vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2021Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Nathan R. Demski, Brian M. Huenink, Eric A. Keen
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Publication number: 20240059211Abstract: An agricultural work vehicle includes a chassis, a cab mounted to the chassis and including a work space for an operator to control the work vehicle, and a controller for controlling operation of the work vehicle. The work vehicle further includes a lighting system having at least one array field light for illuminating an area on or around the work vehicle. A light control module is disposed in electrical communication with the controller and is configured to operably control the at least one array field light. The controller transmits a signal to the light control module, and the at least one array field light transmits a light signal corresponding to the signal which is receivable by a receiving module on another work vehicle or implement.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2023Publication date: February 22, 2024Inventors: Nathan R. Demski, Eric A. Keen, Brian M. Huenink, Michael R. Gratton
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Publication number: 20230397518Abstract: An implement illumination system includes illumination devices that illuminate a tool-to-soil interaction area. The illumination devices may also be grouped into groups and may be controllable from the operator's compartment of the towing vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2022Publication date: December 14, 2023Inventors: Nathan R. DEMSKI, Eric A. KEEN, Benjamin C. Potter, Mark D. Klein
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Publication number: 20230382164Abstract: A compact rotary union assembly for inflating and deflating a tire mounted to a hub having a hub housing. The compact rotary union assembly includes a spindle, an inner sleeve, and an outer sleeve. The spindle includes a spindle channel. The inner sleeve includes a flange portion, a cylinder portion coupled to the flange portion, a bore extending through the flange portion and the cylinder portion, and an inner sleeve channel located within the flange portion and the cylinder portion. The inner sleeve channel is coupled to a first port and to the spindle channel. An outer sleeve includes an outer sleeve channel, coupled to the spindle channel and to a second port, wherein the cylinder portion is located within an outer sleeve bore of the outer sleeve. A first and a second air seal are located within the outer sleeve on either side of an air track.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2023Publication date: November 30, 2023Inventors: Rafael GAXIOLA COCKBURN, Mark D. KLEIN, John R. VANDE KEMP, Eric A. KEEN
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Patent number: 11827286Abstract: Systems and methods for targeted illumination of an object coupled to a machine, such as an implement coupled to an agricultural vehicle, are disclosed. The systems and methods include sensing an area adjacent to the machine, determining whether an implement is present in the sensed area, and providing targeted illumination to the detected object while avoiding the provision of light to the area that is not occupied by the object.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2020Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Nathan R. Demski, Brian M. Huenink, Eric A. Keen
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Patent number: 11807157Abstract: A control system of an off-road work vehicle for performing a work function includes a controller for controlling the work vehicle, a light control module for controlling a lighting system of the work vehicle, and a sensing device disposed in communication with the controller. The lighting system includes a array field light that is operably controllable to project a light emission. The sensing device signals a location to be illuminated by the array field light to the controller, and the light control module operably controls an output of the array field light to direct substantially its entire light emission at the location.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2021Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Nathan R. Demski, Brian M. Huenink, Eric A. Keen, Michael R. Gratton
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Patent number: 11752926Abstract: An agricultural work vehicle includes a chassis, a cab mounted to the chassis and including a work space for an operator to control the work vehicle, and a controller for controlling operation of the work vehicle. The work vehicle further includes a lighting system having at least one array field light for illuminating an area on or around the work vehicle. A light control module is disposed in electrical communication with the controller and is configured to operably control the at least one array field light. The controller transmits a signal to the light control module, and the at least one array field light transmits a light signal corresponding to the signal which is receivable by a receiving module on another work vehicle or implement.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2020Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Nathan R. Demski, Eric A. Keen, Brian M. Huenink, Michael R. Gratton
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Patent number: 11718225Abstract: An agricultural work vehicle for operating in a field includes a chassis, a cab mounted to the chassis for an operator to control the work vehicle, a controller for controlling operation of the work vehicle, a lighting system of the work vehicle comprising at least one array field light, and a light control module disposed in electrical communication with the controller. The light control module operably controls the at least one array field light. The controller transmits a signal to the light control module indicative of an intended path of travel of the work vehicle. The at least one array field light projects a light emission corresponding to the intended path of travel onto the field at a location visible to the operator while operating the work vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2021Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Nathan R. Demski, Brian M. Huenink, Eric A. Keen
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Patent number: 11716795Abstract: An agricultural work vehicle for operating in a field includes a chassis, a cab mounted to the chassis, a controller for controlling operation of the work vehicle, and a lighting system including a array field light. The array field light projects a light emission to illuminate a defined zone. A light control module is disposed in electrical communication with the controller and operably controls the at least one array field light. A sensing device senses an area surrounding the work vehicle. The sensing device transmits a signal indicative of a detected object to the controller, which in turn determines if the detected object is in the defined zone. If the detected object is in the defined zone, the light control module controllably adjusts an output from the array field light so that only a portion of the defined zone in which the object is not located is illuminated.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2021Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Nathan R. Demski, Brian M. Huenink, Eric A. Keen
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Publication number: 20230234559Abstract: A soil measure, such as a soil cone index, and a vehicle index indicating the amount of force the vehicle exerts on the ground as it travels over the ground, are obtained and compared to identify a soil damage score. The soil damage score can be mapped over a field and an agricultural vehicle can be controlled based upon the soil damage score. In another example, a detector detects a fill level of a material storage compartment on an agricultural vehicle. The inflation pressure of tires on the agricultural vehicle is controlled based upon the detected fill level.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2022Publication date: July 27, 2023Inventors: Benjamin C. Potter, Eric A. Keen, Mark D. Klein, Lee A. Johnson
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Publication number: 20230140830Abstract: Systems and methods for targeted illumination of an object coupled to a machine, such as an implement coupled to an agricultural vehicle, are disclosed. The systems and methods include sensing an area adjacent to the machine, determining whether an implement is present in the sensed area, and providing targeted illumination to the detected object while avoiding the provision of light to the area that is not occupied by the object.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2020Publication date: May 4, 2023Inventors: Nathan R. Demski, Brian M. Huenink, Eric A. Keen
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Patent number: 11364838Abstract: An agricultural work vehicle for operating in a field includes a chassis, a cab mounted to the chassis, a controller for controlling operation of the work vehicle, and a lighting system including a array field light. The controller is in communication with a field map input, and the array field light projects a light emission to illuminate a zone. A light control module is disposed in electrical communication with the controller and operably controls the array field light. Upon identifying an object in the field based on the field map input, the controller determines if the object is in the zone. If the object is in the zone, the light control module controllably adjusts an output from the array field light based on a location of the object in the zone.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2021Date of Patent: June 21, 2022Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Nathan R. Demski, Brian M. Huenink, Eric A. Keen
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Publication number: 20220176873Abstract: An agricultural work vehicle includes a chassis, a cab mounted to the chassis and including a work space for an operator to control the work vehicle, and a controller for controlling operation of the work vehicle. The work vehicle further includes a lighting system having at least one array field light for illuminating an area on or around the work vehicle. A light control module is disposed in electrical communication with the controller and is configured to operably control the at least one array field light. The controller transmits a signal to the light control module, and the at least one array field light transmits a light signal corresponding to the signal which is receivable by a receiving module on another work vehicle or implement.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2020Publication date: June 9, 2022Inventors: Nathan R. Demski, Eric A. Keen, Brian M. Huenink, Michael R. Gratton
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Publication number: 20210402918Abstract: An agricultural work vehicle for operating in a field includes a chassis, a cab mounted to the chassis, a controller for controlling operation of the work vehicle, and a lighting system including a array field light. The array field light projects a light emission to illuminate a defined zone. A light control module is disposed in electrical communication with the controller and operably controls the at least one array field light. A sensing device senses an area surrounding the work vehicle. The sensing device transmits a signal indicative of a detected object to the controller, which in turn determines if the detected object is in the defined zone. If the detected object is in the defined zone, the light control module controllably adjusts an output from the array field light so that only a portion of the defined zone in which the object is not located is illuminated.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2021Publication date: December 30, 2021Inventors: Nathan R. Demski, Brian M. Huenink, Eric A. Keen
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Publication number: 20210402914Abstract: A control system of an off-road work vehicle for performing a work function includes a controller for controlling the work vehicle, a light control module for controlling a lighting system of the work vehicle, and a sensing device disposed in communication with the controller. The lighting system includes a array field light that is operably controllable to project a light emission. The sensing device signals a location to be illuminated by the array field light to the controller, and the light control module operably controls an output of the array field light to direct substantially its entire light emission at the location.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2021Publication date: December 30, 2021Inventors: Nathan R. Demski, Brian M. Huenink, Eric A. Keen, Michael R. Gratton
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Publication number: 20210402917Abstract: An agricultural work vehicle for operating in a field includes a chassis, a cab mounted to the chassis for an operator to control the work vehicle, a controller for controlling operation of the work vehicle, a lighting system of the work vehicle comprising at least one array field light, and a light control module disposed in electrical communication with the controller. The light control module operably controls the at least one array field light. The controller transmits a signal to the light control module indicative of information about the work vehicle. The at least one array field light projects the information onto the field at a location visible to the operator while operating the work vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2021Publication date: December 30, 2021Inventors: Nathan R. Demski, Brian M. Huenink, Eric A. Keen
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Publication number: 20210402916Abstract: An agricultural work vehicle for operating in a field includes a chassis, a cab mounted to the chassis, a controller for controlling operation of the work vehicle, and a lighting system including a array field light. The controller is in communication with a field map input, and the array field light projects a light emission to illuminate a zone. A light control module is disposed in electrical communication with the controller and operably controls the array field light. Upon identifying an object in the field based on the field map input, the controller determines if the object is in the zone. If the object is in the zone, the light control module controllably adjusts an output from the array field light based on a location of the object in the zone.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2021Publication date: December 30, 2021Inventors: Nathan R. Demski, Brian M. Huenink, Eric A. Keen