Patents by Inventor Kenneth A. Brandt

Kenneth A. Brandt 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: 7496441
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a computer based control system for controlling hydraulic and electromechanical actuators on a power machine, such as a skid steer loader. The computer based control system is configured to implement a number of features to enhance certain operational aspects of the power machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Brandt, Scott R. Rossow
  • Patent number: 7142967
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a computer based control system for controlling hydraulic and electromechanical actuators on a power machine, such as a skid steer loader. The computer based control system is configured to implement a number of features to enhance certain operational aspects of the power machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Brandt, Scott R. Rossow
  • Patent number: 6923285
    Abstract: The present invention provides an attachment for use with a power machine. An attachment control device includes a controller, such as a microprocessor, a microcontroller or other digital computer which senses the type of attachment and controls power to the attachment accordingly. In one embodiment, the attachment control device can be used for remotely controlling the attachment and includes an ignition switch and a stop switch and allows a user to operate the attachment from outside the operator compartment of the power machine, when the power machine is started from the attachment control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventors: Scott R. Rossow, Kenneth A. Brandt, Wally L. Kaczmarski
  • Patent number: 6863144
    Abstract: A control system in accordance with one feature of the present invention includes one or more user inputs, movable by a user in an operator compartment of a power machine. The user inputs can be used to set values for a plurality of settable operating parameters to direction of movement of the power machine, as well as travel speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Brandt, Scott R. Rossow
  • Patent number: 6854554
    Abstract: A user input device in accordance with one features of the present invention includes one or more joysticks, movable by a user in an operator compartment of a power machine. The joysticks control direction of movement of the power machine, as well as travel speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Brandt, Scott R. Rossow
  • Patent number: 6785596
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a computer based control system for controlling hydraulic and electromechanical actuators on a power machine, such as a skid steer loader. The computer based control system is configured to implement a number of features to enhance certain operational aspects of the power machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Brandt, Scott R. Rossow
  • Publication number: 20030149518
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a computer based control system for controlling hydraulic and electromechanical actuators on a power machine, such as a skid steer loader. The computer based control system is configured to implement a number of features to enhance certain operational aspects of the power machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Brandt, Scott R. Rossow
  • Patent number: 6552965
    Abstract: A clock stores time data indicative of time of operation of a power machine. A timing circuit provides a timing signal and a controller is coupled to a timing circuit and to a memory, which includes a plurality of memory locations. An elapsed time value is maintained, based on the timing signal, by the timing circuit, and a subset of a plurality of memory locations is intermittently updated with the elapsed time value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Brandt, Scott R. Rossow, Trevor Fuss, Ryon Boen
  • Patent number: 6550562
    Abstract: A control system controls actuation of a hydraulic cylinder on a skid steer loader. The control system includes a movable element, such as a hand grip. The hand grip is intelligent in that each contains a microprocessor or other digital controller which monitors user actuable elements (such as switches, buttons, paddles, etc.). The controller sends a communication signal to a main control computer. The communication signal is indicative of the state of the user actuable elements and is, in one embodiment, a serial communication signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Brandt, Scott R. Rossow
  • Patent number: 6493616
    Abstract: A diagnostic and control unit allows a field technician to unlock and monitor the operation of a power machine, perform diagnostics on the power machine or modify the operating parameters of the power machine without bringing the power machine to a service station or back to the factory. The diagnostic and control unit illustratively includes a remote start and control interface, and a controller. The remote start and control interface receives inputs for unlocking the operation of one or more the hydraulic functions on the power machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventors: Scott R. Rossow, Kenneth A. Brandt
  • Publication number: 20020153188
    Abstract: A control system in accordance with one feature of the present invention includes one or more user inputs, movable by a user in an operator compartment of a power machine. The user inputs can be used to set values for a plurality of settable operating parameters to direction of movement of the power machine, as well as travel speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Brandt, Scott R. Rossow
  • Publication number: 20020087245
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a user interface to a computer-based control system for controlling hydraulic and/or electromechanical actuators, or electrical actuators on a power machine. The user interface provides one or more features to increase functionality or usefulness in the user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Scott R. Rossow, Kenneth A. Brandt
  • Publication number: 20020074181
    Abstract: A user input device in accordance with one features of the present invention includes one or more joysticks, movable by a user in an operator compartment of a power machine. The joysticks control direction of movement of the power machine, as well as travel speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Brandt, Scott R. Rossow
  • Publication number: 20020074179
    Abstract: A control system in accordance with one feature of the present invention includes one or more user inputs, movable by a user in an operator compartment of a power machine. The user inputs can be used to set values for a plurality of settable operating parameters to direction of movement of the power machine, as well as travel speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Brandt, Scott R. Rossow
  • Publication number: 20020070069
    Abstract: A control system controls actuation of a hydraulic cylinder on a skid steer loader. The control system includes a movable element, such as a hand grip. The hand grip is intelligent in that each contains a microprocessor or other digital controller which monitors user actuable elements (such as switches, buttons, paddles, etc.). The controller sends a communication signal to a main control computer. The communication signal is indicative of the state of the user actuable elements and is, in one embodiment, a serial communication signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Brandt, Scott R. Rossow
  • Publication number: 20020018403
    Abstract: A clock stores time data indicative of time of operation of a power machine. A timing circuit provides a timing signal and a controller is coupled to a timing circuit and to a memory, which includes a plurality of memory locations. An elapsed time value is maintained, based on the timing signal, by the timing circuit, and a subset of a plurality of memory locations is intermittently updated with the elapsed time value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Brandt, Scott R. Rossow, Trevor Fuss, Ryon Boen
  • Patent number: 6343237
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a user interface to a computer-based control system for controlling hydraulic and/or electro-mechanical actuators, or electrical actuators on a power machine. The user interface provides one or more features to increase functionality or usefulness in the user interface. In one illustrative embodiment, the user interface includes a display device, such as a bit-mapped liquid crystal display screen which displays the status of a number of vital functions associated with the power machine. In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the control system senses a number of parameters and records warning conditions associated with the sensed parameters. The user interface can allow the user to view active warning conditions, scroll through active warning conditions and view help screens designed to enhance trouble shooting associated with the active warnings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventors: Scott R. Rossow, Kenneth A. Brandt
  • Patent number: 6289783
    Abstract: A control system controls actuation of a hydraulic cylinder on a skid steer loader. The control system includes a movable element, movable by an operator. A position sensor is coupled to the movable element and provides a position signal indicative of a position of the movable element. A controller is coupled to the position sensor to receive the position signal and provide a control signal based on the position signal. A valve spool controls flow of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinder. An actuator is coupled to the controller and the valve spool and moves the valve spool in response to the control signal from the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventors: Thomas M. Sagaser, Kenneth A. Brandt, Scott B. Jacobson, Knute K. Brock
  • Patent number: D449614
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventors: Jason A. Osborn, Kenneth A. Brandt, Neil A. Fuchs, Ross A. Haugeberg, Donovan D. Knutson, Charles H. Krause, Jay S. Mennis, Scott R. Rossow, Scott N. Schuh, Corwin E. Waswick, Kenneth R. Weber, Michael E. Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: D454569
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventors: Jason A. Osborn, Kenneth A. Brandt, Neil A. Fuchs, Ross A. Haugeberg, Donovan D. Knutson, Charles H. Krause, Jay S. Mennis, Scott R. Rossow, Scott N. Schuh, Corwin E. Waswick, Kenneth R. Weber, Michael E. Fitzgerald