Patents by Inventor Eric R. Funk
Eric R. Funk 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: 12041875Abstract: A flexible mower deck includes a center deck with a plurality of belt driven pulleys for rotating a plurality of rotary cutting blades under the center deck. A wing deck is pivotably attached to each of the first and second ends. A motor on each wing deck rotates a rotary cutting blade by actuating a switch in an operator station to pivot each wing deck to a mowing position.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2021Date of Patent: July 23, 2024Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Rajesaheb Bagwan, Chad C. Steen, Michael T. Schmidt, Julian Bellalbero, Eric R. Funk
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Publication number: 20220124975Abstract: A flexible mower deck includes a center deck with a plurality of belt driven pulleys for rotating a plurality of rotary cutting blades under the center deck. A wing deck is pivotably attached to each of the first and second ends. A motor on each wing deck rotates a rotary cutting blade by actuating a switch in an operator station to pivot each wing deck to a mowing position.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2021Publication date: April 28, 2022Inventors: RAJESAHEB BAGWAN, CHAD C. STEEN, MICHAEL T. SCHMIDT, JULIAN BELLALBERO, ERIC R. FUNK
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Patent number: 11239723Abstract: An interconnection device for providing an electrical connection between a motor and an inverter is disclosed. The interconnection device comprises a base member having a first receiving aperture arranged relative to a second receiving aperture, and a mounting interface that provides for direct coupling of the base member to the motor. A substrate is coupled to the base member and comprises a first connector assembly, a second connector assembly, and integrated electronic circuitry arranged thereon. The first connector assembly is coaxially aligned with the first receiving aperture of the base member and arranged to receive a plurality of motor pin connections. The second connector assembly comprises a plurality of connection elements arranged to transmit and receive power and signal connections for powering and controlling the motor.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2018Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Eric R. Funk, Gregory K. Harmelink
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Patent number: 11002245Abstract: A hydraulic motor assembly includes a flow controller, a displacement controller and a hydraulic motor. The flow controller controls the flow of hydraulic fluid through the hydraulic motor and the displacement controller controls motor displacement. The hydraulic motor converts the pressure and flow into angular displacement of a drive shaft. An electrical generator is connected to the motor drive shaft and provides electrical power to accommodate a varying electrical load. As the electrical load varies, the flow controller and displacement controller vary the flow and displacement of the hydraulic motor to vary the torque applied to the generator by the drive shaft so that the drive shaft rotates at a desired speed.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2017Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Inventors: Eric R. Funk, Randall A. Maro, David J. Rylander
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Patent number: 10763613Abstract: A barrier device for an electrical connector is disclosed. In embodiments, the barrier device can comprise a first barrier element interposedly arranged between a substrate and a base assembly of the electrical connector. A second barrier element arranged for mating engagement with an upper surface of the substrate of the electrical connector; the second barrier element comprising a plurality of openings defined by a plurality of protruding structures that are configured and arranged to accommodate electronic components mounted to the upper surface of the substrate. The barrier device is designed such that the collective arrangement and positioning of the first barrier element and the second barrier element relative to substrate forms a thermal protection barrier and damping mechanism around the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2018Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Eric R. Funk, Gregory K. Harmelink, Matt D. Bartelson, Matthew Lommen, Joshua G. Payne
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Patent number: 10660256Abstract: A towed agricultural machine includes a converter, configured to convert a first voltage potential generated by a generator to a second voltage potential. The second voltage potential powers a component of the towed agricultural machine. Further, the towed agricultural machine also includes a switch that senses the absence of the second voltage potential from the converter and switches to powering the subcomponent with a second voltage potential received from a source external to the towed agricultural machine. The second voltage potential output by the converter can also be combined, on a power bus, with the second voltage potential from the external source or another source.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2017Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Eric R. Funk, Matt D. Bartelson, Quintin D. Rigert, Grant J. Wonderlich, Matthew L. Spencer, Pranay K. Bajjuri
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Publication number: 20190162164Abstract: A hydraulic motor assembly includes a flow controller, a displacement controller and a hydraulic motor. The flow controller controls the flow of hydraulic fluid through the hydraulic motor and the displacement controller controls motor displacement. The hydraulic motor converts the pressure and flow into angular displacement of a drive shaft. An electrical generator is connected to the motor drive shaft and provides electrical power to accommodate a varying electrical load. As the electrical load varies, the flow controller and displacement controller vary the flow and displacement of the hydraulic motor to vary the torque applied to the generator by the drive shaft so that the drive shaft rotates at a desired speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2017Publication date: May 30, 2019Inventors: Eric R. Funk, Randall A. Maro, David J. Rylander
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Publication number: 20190131847Abstract: An interconnection device for providing an electrical connection between a motor and an inverter is disclosed. The interconnection device comprises a base member having a first receiving aperture arranged relative to a second receiving aperture, and a mounting interface that provides for direct coupling of the base member to the motor. A substrate is coupled to the base member and comprises a first connector assembly, a second connector assembly, and integrated electronic circuitry arranged thereon. The first connector assembly is coaxially aligned with the first receiving aperture of the base member and arranged to receive a plurality of motor pin connections. The second connector assembly comprises a plurality of connection elements arranged to transmit and receive power and signal connections for powering and controlling the motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2018Publication date: May 2, 2019Inventors: Eric R. Funk, Gregory K. Harmelink
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Publication number: 20190131740Abstract: A barrier device for an electrical connector is disclosed. In embodiments, the barrier device can comprise a first barrier element interposedly arranged between a substrate and a base assembly of the electrical connector. A second barrier element arranged for mating engagement with an upper surface of the substrate of the electrical connector; the second barrier element comprising a plurality of openings defined by a plurality of protruding structures that are configured and arranged to accommodate electronic components mounted to the upper surface of the substrate. The barrier device is designed such that the collective arrangement and positioning of the first barrier element and the second barrier element relative to substrate forms a thermal protection barrier and damping mechanism around the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2018Publication date: May 2, 2019Inventors: Eric R. Funk, Gregory K. Harmelink, Matt D. Bartelson, Matthew Lommen, Joshua G. Payne
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Publication number: 20180343785Abstract: A towed agricultural machine includes a converter, configured to convert a first voltage potential generated by a generator to a second voltage potential. The second voltage potential powers a component of the towed agricultural machine. Further, the towed agricultural machine also includes a switch that senses the absence of the second voltage potential from the converter and switches to powering the subcomponent with a second voltage potential received from a source external to the towed agricultural machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2017Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventors: Eric R. Funk, Matt D. Bartelson, Quintin D. Rigert, Grant J. Wonderlich, Matthew L. Spencer, Pranay K. Bajjuri
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Patent number: 9475497Abstract: An electric implement power management system includes an electronic controller that monitors total electric implement load and commands a transmission to reduce the speed of the traction drive wheels below the desired traction drive speed if the total electric implement load reaches a maximum allowable load.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2013Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Robert A Henson, Patrick W Cross, Eric R Funk
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Publication number: 20150120148Abstract: An electric implement power management system includes an electronic controller that monitors total electric implement load and commands a transmission to reduce the speed of the traction drive wheels below the desired traction drive speed if the total electric implement load reaches a maximum allowable load.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2013Publication date: April 30, 2015Applicant: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Robert A. Henson, Patrick W. Cross, Eric R. Funk