Patents by Inventor Garrett E. Swierenga

Garrett E. Swierenga 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: 5190111
    Abstract: An automatic draft control for controlling the position of a tractor-mounted hitch includes a slip override circuit responsive to a wheel signal for modifying a hitch position command so that hitch draft is reduced by raising the hitch when the degree of tractor wheel slip exceeds a threshold value. The slip is determined by measuring theoretical (no-slip) ground speed with a sensor which senses the rate of rotation of the tractor rear axle, and measuring true ground speed with a radar unit mounted on one side of the tractor. Because the radar unit does not indicate the speed of the center line of the tractor as it turns, the slip signal is prevented from modifying the hitch position command if the hitch is raised since the hitch is usually raised when turning and there is no need to modify the position command with the slip signal when the hitch is raised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Ford New Holland, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven C. Young, Bradley A. Nielsen, James W. Macqueene, Garrett E. Swierenga