Patents by Inventor Jeffrey M. Tott

Jeffrey M. Tott 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: 11778935
    Abstract: A digital fence of a work area is generated and loaded into a machine control system that controls an off-road machine. The machine control system detects whether the off-road machine is within a threshold distance of the digital fence and automatically controls operating parameters of the off-road machine when the off-road machine is within a threshold distance of the digital fence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: David August Johnson, Curtis A. Maeder, Jeffrey M. Tott, Megan L. Leininger
  • Patent number: 11702136
    Abstract: Vehicles, control systems for vehicles, and methods of operating vehicles are disclosed herein. A vehicle includes a frame structure, a front section, a rear articulation section, and a control system. The front section is coupled to the frame structure and to a front plurality of wheels supported for movement on a front axle. The rear articulation section is coupled to the frame structure and to a rear plurality of wheels supported for movement on a rear axle. The rear articulation section is pivotally coupled to the front section via an articulation joint and arranged opposite the front section along a vehicle axis. The control system is coupled to the frame structure and includes a mode selector configured to provide input indicative of a mode selected by an operator in use of the vehicle and a controller communicatively coupled to the mode selector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Scott A. Hudson, Jeffrey L. Lubben, Jeffrey M. Tott
  • Publication number: 20230192182
    Abstract: A steering system for controlling a direction of travel of a work machine includes a steering device controllable by an operator of the work machine. The steering device is coupled to an axle of the work machine for controlling an angular orientation of the wheels. A brake is coupled to the steering device and is controllably applied to apply a first amount of resistance to the steering device. A motor is coupled to the steering device and is controllably activated to apply a second amount of resistance to the steering device. A controller controls the steering system of the work machine in at least a first operating mode and a second operating mode. In the first operating mode, the controller controls the brake between an applied position and an unapplied position, whereas in the second operating mode, the controller controls the motor between an active position and a de-activated position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2022
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Lowell D. Stutzman, Nathanael K. Rehn, Timothy J. Ofenloch, Jeffrey M. Tott, Suresh Putta, Douglas M. Van Meter, Jordan L. Tagtow, Jacyn R. Goebel
  • Publication number: 20230192093
    Abstract: A steering system for controlling a direction of travel of a work machine includes a steering device controllable by an operator of the work machine. The steering device is coupled to an axle of the work machine for controlling an angular orientation of the wheels. A brake is coupled to the steering device and is controllably applied to apply a first amount of resistance to the steering device. A motor is coupled to the steering device and is controllably activated to apply a second amount of resistance to the steering device. A controller controls the steering system of the work machine in at least a first operating mode and a second operating mode. In the first operating mode, the controller controls the brake between an applied position and an unapplied position, whereas in the second operating mode, the controller controls the motor between an active position and a de-activated position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2022
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Lowell D. Stutzman, Nathanael K. Rehn, Timothy J. Ofenloch, Jeffrey M. Tott, Suresh Putta, Douglas M. Van Meter, Jordan L. Tagtow, Jacyn R. Goebel
  • Patent number: 11667326
    Abstract: Operating a vehicle in an automated steering control mode wherein the vehicle includes a controller operatively coupled with an articulated steering system and a front axle steering system. The controller is configured to identify a desired path of curvature of the vehicle and determine a front axle steering angle of the front axle steering system and command the front axle steering system to operate at the front axle steering angle and also determine an articulation steering angle of the articulated steering system and command the articulated steering system to operate at the articulation steering angle. A further form includes operating front and rear ground engaging means at a designated speed, and thereafter operating the articulated steering system and the front axle steering system based on the designated speed being greater than a transport speed threshold, less than a field speed threshold or between the two.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Scott A. Hudson, Nohoon Ki, Jeffrey M. Tott
  • Publication number: 20230085133
    Abstract: A digital fence of a work area is generated and loaded into a machine control system that controls an off-road machine. The machine control system detects whether the off-road machine is within a threshold distance of the digital fence and automatically controls operating parameters of the off-road machine when the off-road machine is within a threshold distance of the digital fence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: David A. Johnson, Curtis A. Maeder, Jeffrey M. Tott, Megan L. Leininger
  • Patent number: 11541862
    Abstract: A method of controlling a work machine having at least one wheel includes providing a controller, an operator control, and a steering system including a steering wheel position sensor, a road wheel angle sensor, a speed sensor, and a feedback device. The method includes detecting a change in steering wheel position via the steering wheel position device and a wheel speed of the at least one wheel via the speed sensor. A predicted lateral acceleration is calculated by the controller as a function of wheel speed and a feedback torque is determined by the controller as a function of the predicted lateral acceleration. The feedback torque is determined from a plurality of feedback torque curves stored by the controller, where each of the plurality of feedback torque curves corresponds to a sensitivity level selectable from the operator control. The feedback torque is commanded to the feedback device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Nathanael K. Rehn, Jeffrey M. Tott, Trent L. Goodnight
  • Patent number: 11440551
    Abstract: Steering a vehicle in an electronic steering mode of operation that includes a front axle steering system, a rear axle steering system, one or more vehicle environment sensors, and a controller operatively coupled with the front axle steering system, the rear axle steering system, and the vehicle environment sensors. Commanding the vehicle to operate at a desired vehicle speed, detecting a lateral force acting on the vehicle in response to input from the vehicle environment sensors, and determining an actual lateral acceleration of the vehicle and a predicted lateral acceleration of the vehicle from the desired vehicle speed. Determining a lateral acceleration error by comparing the predicted lateral acceleration to the actual lateral acceleration, and determining if the lateral acceleration error exceeds a lateral acceleration limit, then turning both of the front axle steering system and the rear axle steering system to a crab steering correction angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Scott A. Hudson, Jeffrey M. Tott, Edwin R. Kreis, Dennis A. Bowman
  • Publication number: 20220063581
    Abstract: A method of controlling a work machine having at least one wheel includes providing a controller, an operator control, and a steering system including a steering wheel position sensor, a road wheel angle sensor, a speed sensor, and a feedback device. The method includes detecting a change in steering wheel position via the steering wheel position device and a wheel speed of the at least one wheel via the speed sensor. A predicted lateral acceleration is calculated by the controller as a function of wheel speed and a feedback torque is determined by the controller as a function of the predicted lateral acceleration. The feedback torque is determined from a plurality of feedback torque curves stored by the controller, where each of the plurality of feedback torque curves corresponds to a sensitivity level selectable from the operator control. The feedback torque is commanded to the feedback device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Nathanael K. Rehn, Jeffrey M. Tott, Trent L. Goodnight
  • Publication number: 20210078630
    Abstract: Operating a vehicle in an automated steering control mode wherein the vehicle includes a controller operatively coupled with an articulated steering system and a front axle steering system. The controller is configured to identify a desired path of curvature of the vehicle and determine a front axle steering angle of the front axle steering system and command the front axle steering system to operate at the front axle steering angle and also determine an articulation steering angle of the articulated steering system and command the articulated steering system to operate at the articulation steering angle. A further form includes operating front and rear ground engaging means at a designated speed, and thereafter operating the articulated steering system and the front axle steering system based on the designated speed being greater than a transport speed threshold, less than a field speed threshold or between the two.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: Scott A. Hudson, Nohoon Ki, Jeffrey M. Tott
  • Publication number: 20210078633
    Abstract: Vehicles, control systems for vehicles, and methods of operating vehicles are disclosed herein. A vehicle includes a frame structure, a front section, a rear articulation section, and a control system. The front section is coupled to the frame structure and to a front plurality of wheels supported for movement on a front axle. The rear articulation section is coupled to the frame structure and to a rear plurality of wheels supported for movement on a rear axle. The rear articulation section is pivotally coupled to the front section via an articulation joint and arranged opposite the front section along a vehicle axis. The control system is coupled to the frame structure and includes a mode selector configured to provide input indicative of a mode selected by an operator in use of the vehicle and a controller communicatively coupled to the mode selector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: Scott A. Hudson, Jeffrey L. Lubben, Jeffrey M. Tott
  • Publication number: 20210061283
    Abstract: Steering a vehicle in an electronic steering mode of operation that includes a front axle steering system, a rear axle steering system, one or more vehicle environment sensors, and a controller operatively coupled with the front axle steering system, the rear axle steering system, and the vehicle environment sensors. Commanding the vehicle to operate at a desired vehicle speed, detecting a lateral force acting on the vehicle in response to input from the vehicle environment sensors, and determining an actual lateral acceleration of the vehicle and a predicted lateral acceleration of the vehicle from the desired vehicle speed. Determining a lateral acceleration error by comparing the predicted lateral acceleration to the actual lateral acceleration, and determining if the lateral acceleration error exceeds a lateral acceleration limit, then turning both of the front axle steering system and the rear axle steering system to a crab steering correction angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Scott A. Hudson, Jeffrey M. Tott, Edwin R. Kreis, Dennis A. Bowman