Patents by Inventor Kevin D. McKee
Kevin D. McKee 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: 11647687Abstract: In one aspect, a system for controlling the direction of travel of agricultural implements may include a work vehicle having a vehicle-based controller configured to control an operation of a valve provided in operative association with the work vehicle. The system may also include an agricultural implement configured to be towed by the work vehicle. The implement may include a sensor configured to detect an operational parameter indicative of a direction of travel of the implement. The implement may also include an actuator configured to adjust the direction of travel of the implement, with the actuator being fluidly coupled to the valve such that the valve is configured to control an operation of the actuator. The implement may further include an implement-based controller configured to initiate control of the operation of the valve based on sensor data received from the sensor to adjust the direction of travel of the implement.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2020Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Jason T. Czapka, Kevin D. McKee, Kevin M. Smith, Robert J. Longua, Keith W. Wendte, Trevor Stanhope, Marvin A. Prickel
-
Patent number: 11135915Abstract: In one aspect, a system for providing implement-based speed control for a work vehicle may include a planter controller provided in operative association with a planter towed by the work vehicle and a vehicle controller provided in operative association with the work vehicle. The planter controller may be configured to access an input associated with at least one predetermined threshold value for an operating parameter of the planter and monitor the operating parameter relative to the predetermined threshold value(s) as the planter is being towed at a current ground speed of the work vehicle. In addition, when the operating parameter differs from the predetermined threshold value(s), the planter controller may be configured to adjust a speed control request transmitted to the vehicle controller to cause the current ground speed of the work vehicle to be automatically increased or decreased between predetermined maximum and minimum speed values set for the work vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2019Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Jason T. Czapka, Kevin D. McKee, Kevin M. Smith, Robert J. Longua, Keith W. Wendte, Marvin A. Prickel
-
Publication number: 20210059097Abstract: In one aspect, a system for controlling the direction of travel of agricultural implements may include a work vehicle having a vehicle-based controller configured to control an operation of a valve provided in operative association with the work vehicle. The system may also include an agricultural implement configured to be towed by the work vehicle. The implement may include a sensor configured to detect an operational parameter indicative of a direction of travel of the implement. The implement may also include an actuator configured to adjust the direction of travel of the implement, with the actuator being fluidly coupled to the valve such that the valve is configured to control an operation of the actuator. The implement may further include an implement-based controller configured to initiate control of the operation of the valve based on sensor data received from the sensor to adjust the direction of travel of the implement.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2020Publication date: March 4, 2021Inventors: Jason T. Czapka, Kevin D. McKee, Kevin M. Smith, Robert J. Longua, Keith W. Wendte, Trevor Stanhope, Marvin A. Prickel
-
Patent number: 10912245Abstract: In one aspect, a system for regulating the flow of fluid supplied to actuators of an agricultural implement may include a tool and a fluid-driven actuator configured to actuate the tool relative to a surface. The system may also include a pump configured to supply fluid to the fluid-driven actuator and a valve configured to control a flow of the fluid supplied to the fluid-driven actuator. Furthermore, the system may include a first sensor configured to detect a parameter indicative of a first pressure upstream of the valve and a second sensor configured to detect a parameter indicative of a second pressure downstream of the valve. Additionally, the system may include a controller communicatively coupled to the first and second sensors, with the controller configured to determine a pressure differential across the valve based on measurement signals received from the first and second sensors.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2018Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Christopher Stovall, Michael Freisleben, Duqiang Wu, John C. Endsley, Michael Glennon, Kevin D. McKee
-
Patent number: 10842068Abstract: In one aspect, a system for controlling the direction of travel of agricultural implements may include a work vehicle having a vehicle-based controller configured to control an operation of a valve provided in operative association with the work vehicle. The system may also include an agricultural implement configured to be towed by the work vehicle. The implement may include a sensor configured to detect an operational parameter indicative of a direction of travel of the implement. The implement may also include an actuator configured to adjust the direction of travel of the implement, with the actuator being fluidly coupled to the valve such that the valve is configured to control an operation of the actuator. The implement may further include an implement-based controller configured to initiate control of the operation of the valve based on sensor data received from the sensor to adjust the direction of travel of the implement.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2018Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Jason T. Czapka, Kevin D. McKee, Kevin M. Smith, Robert J. Longua, Keith W. Wendte, Trevor Stanhope, Marvin A. Prickel
-
Patent number: 10820470Abstract: A hydraulic system includes a supply line, at least one implement-based control valve, an implement-based pressure regulating valve, and a load sensing circuit. The implement-based control valve(s) is fluidly coupled to the supply line and configured to regulate a flow of the pressurized hydraulic fluid supplied through at least one downstream actuator line to at least one hydraulic actuator of the implement. The implement-based pressure regulating valve is fluidly coupled to the supply line upstream of the control valve(s) and configured to regulate a fluid pressure to be equal to or greater than a minimum fluid pressure. The load sensing circuit is fluidly coupled to the pressure regulating valve and provides a line or load pressure to the pressure regulating valve. The pressure regulating valve is configured to regulate the supply of the pressurized hydraulic fluid based on the line pressure.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2018Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Duqiang Wu, John C. Endsley, Michael Glennon, Kevin D. McKee
-
Patent number: 10820471Abstract: A hydraulic system including a supply line, an implement-based control valve, an override valve supported by the implement, and a bypass line. The control valve is fluidly coupled to the supply line and configured to regulate a flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid supplied through a downstream actuator line to a hydraulic actuator of the implement. The override valve is fluidly coupled to the actuator line downstream of the control valve and includes a supply position at which the flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid from the control valve passes through the override valve to the hydraulic actuator. The override valve is actuatable to at least one override position at which the flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid from the control valve is cut-off. The bypass line is fluidly coupled between the supply line and the override valve such that a portion of the pressurized hydraulic fluid flows to the hydraulic actuator.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2018Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Duqiang Wu, John C. Endsley, Michael Glennon, Kevin D. McKee
-
Publication number: 20200187407Abstract: In one aspect, a system for regulating the flow of fluid supplied to actuators of an agricultural implement may include a tool and a fluid-driven actuator configured to actuate the tool relative to a surface. The system may also include a pump configured to supply fluid to the fluid-driven actuator and a valve configured to control a flow of the fluid supplied to the fluid-driven actuator. Furthermore, the system may include a first sensor configured to detect a parameter indicative of a first pressure upstream of the valve and a second sensor configured to detect a parameter indicative of a second pressure downstream of the valve. Additionally, the system may include a controller communicatively coupled to the first and second sensors, with the controller configured to determine a pressure differential across the valve based on measurement signals received from the first and second sensors.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2018Publication date: June 18, 2020Inventors: Christopher Stovall, Michael Freisleben, Duqiang Wu, John C. Endsley, Michael Glennon, Kevin D. McKee
-
Patent number: 10660257Abstract: In one aspect, a method for automatically actuating wing assemblies an agricultural implement associated with a work vehicle may include monitoring, with one or more computing devices, a first wing movement parameter associated with folding or unfolding a wing assembly of the agricultural implement during the performance of a wing movement operation. The method may also include determining, with the one or more computing devices, whether the first wing movement parameter satisfies a first condition associated with a first predetermined threshold value defined for the wing movement operation. The method may include, automatically initiating, with the one or more computing devices, movement of the work vehicle relative to a surface on which the work vehicle is supported to assist the folding or unfolding of the wing assembly during the performance of the wing movement operation when it is determined that the first wing movement parameter satisfies the first condition.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2017Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Jason T. Czapka, Kevin D. McKee, Kevin M. Smith, Robert J. Longua, Keith W. Wendte, Marvin A. Prickel
-
Publication number: 20200060064Abstract: A hydraulic system including a supply line, an implement-based control valve, an override valve supported by the implement, and a bypass line. The control valve is fluidly coupled to the supply line and configured to regulate a flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid supplied through a downstream actuator line to a hydraulic actuator of the implement. The override valve is fluidly coupled to the actuator line downstream of the control valve and includes a supply position at which the flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid from the control valve passes through the override valve to the hydraulic actuator. The override valve is actuatable to at least one override position at which the flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid from the control valve is cut-off. The bypass line is fluidly coupled between the supply line and the override valve such that a portion of the pressurized hydraulic fluid flows to the hydraulic actuator.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2018Publication date: February 27, 2020Inventors: Duqiang Wu, John C. Endsley, Michael Glennon, Kevin D. McKee
-
Publication number: 20200060063Abstract: A hydraulic system includes a supply line, at least one implement-based control valve, an implement-based pressure regulating valve, and a load sensing circuit. The implement-based control valve(s) is fluidly coupled to the supply line and configured to regulate a flow of the pressurized hydraulic fluid supplied through at least one downstream actuator line to at least one hydraulic actuator of the implement. The implement-based pressure regulating valve is fluidly coupled to the supply line upstream of the control valve(s) and configured to regulate a fluid pressure to be equal to or greater than a minimum fluid pressure. The load sensing circuit is fluidly coupled to the pressure regulating valve and provides a line or load pressure to the pressure regulating valve. The pressure regulating valve is configured to regulate the supply of the pressurized hydraulic fluid based on the line pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2018Publication date: February 27, 2020Inventors: Duqiang Wu, John C. Endsley, Michael Glennon, Kevin D. McKee
-
Publication number: 20200045871Abstract: In one aspect, a system for controlling the direction of travel of agricultural implements may include a work vehicle having a vehicle-based controller configured to control an operation of a valve provided in operative association with the work vehicle. The system may also include an agricultural implement configured to be towed by the work vehicle. The implement may include a sensor configured to detect an operational parameter indicative of a direction of travel of the implement. The implement may also include an actuator configured to adjust the direction of travel of the implement, with the actuator being fluidly coupled to the valve such that the valve is configured to control an operation of the actuator. The implement may further include an implement-based controller configured to initiate control of the operation of the valve based on sensor data received from the sensor to adjust the direction of travel of the implement.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2018Publication date: February 13, 2020Inventors: Jason T. Czapka, Kevin D. McKee, Kevin M. Smith, Robert J. Longua, Keith W. Wendte, Trevor Stanhope, Marvin A. Prickel
-
Patent number: 10308116Abstract: In one aspect, a system for providing implement-based speed control for a work vehicle may include a planter controller provided in operative association with a planter towed by the work vehicle and a vehicle controller provided in operative association with the work vehicle. The planter controller may be configured to access an input associated with at least one predetermined threshold value for an operating parameter of the planter and monitor the operating parameter relative to the predetermined threshold value(s) as the planter is being towed at a current ground speed of the work vehicle. In addition, when the operating parameter differs from the predetermined threshold value(s), the planter controller may be configured to adjust a speed control request transmitted to the vehicle controller to cause the current ground speed of the work vehicle to be automatically increased or decreased between predetermined maximum and minimum speed values set for the work vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2017Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Jason T. Czapka, Kevin D. McKee, Kevin M. Smith, Robert J. Longua, Keith W. Wendte, Marvin A. Prickel
-
Publication number: 20190143814Abstract: In one aspect, a system for providing implement-based speed control for a work vehicle may include a planter controller provided in operative association with a planter towed by the work vehicle and a vehicle controller provided in operative association with the work vehicle. The planter controller may be configured to access an input associated with at least one predetermined threshold value for an operating parameter of the planter and monitor the operating parameter relative to the predetermined threshold value(s) as the planter is being towed at a current ground speed of the work vehicle. In addition, when the operating parameter differs from the predetermined threshold value(s), the planter controller may be configured to adjust a speed control request transmitted to the vehicle controller to cause the current ground speed of the work vehicle to be automatically increased or decreased between predetermined maximum and minimum speed values set for the work vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2019Publication date: May 16, 2019Inventors: Jason T. Czapka, Kevin D. McKee, Kevin M. Smith, Robert J. Longua, Keith W. Wendte, Marvin A. Prickel
-
Publication number: 20190124822Abstract: In one aspect, a method for automatically actuating wing assemblies an agricultural implement associated with a work vehicle may include monitoring, with one or more computing devices, a first wing movement parameter associated with folding or unfolding a wing assembly of the agricultural implement during the performance of a wing movement operation. The method may also include determining, with the one or more computing devices, whether the first wing movement parameter satisfies a first condition associated with a first predetermined threshold value defined for the wing movement operation. The method may include, automatically initiating, with the one or more computing devices, movement of the work vehicle relative to a surface on which the work vehicle is supported to assist the folding or unfolding of the wing assembly during the performance of the wing movement operation when it is determined that the first wing movement parameter satisfies the first condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2017Publication date: May 2, 2019Inventors: Jason T. Czapka, Kevin D. McKee, Kevin M. Smith, Robert J. Longua, Keith W. Wendte, Marvin A. Prickel
-
Publication number: 20180208058Abstract: In one aspect, a system for providing implement-based speed control for a work vehicle may include a planter controller provided in operative association with a planter towed by the work vehicle and a vehicle controller provided in operative association with the work vehicle. The planter controller may be configured to access an input associated with at least one predetermined threshold value for an operating parameter of the planter and monitor the operating parameter relative to the predetermined threshold value(s) as the planter is being towed at a current ground speed of the work vehicle. In addition, when the operating parameter differs from the predetermined threshold value(s), the planter controller may be configured to adjust a speed control request transmitted to the vehicle controller to cause the current ground speed of the work vehicle to be automatically increased or decreased between predetermined maximum and minimum speed values set for the work vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2017Publication date: July 26, 2018Inventors: Jason T. Czapka, Kevin D. McKee, Kevin M. Smith, Robert J. Longua, Keith W. Wendte, Marvin A. Prickel
-
Patent number: 7472684Abstract: A high low cruise control system for a work machine that allows the operator to set and adjust an upper engine speed limit in an upper limit mode or a lower engine speed limit in a lower limit mode and return to these set points easily. Without exiting the cruise control mode, the operator may decrease engine speed while in the upper limit mode, or increase engine speed while in the lower limit mode.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2007Date of Patent: January 6, 2009Assignee: CNH America LLCInventors: Kevin D. McKee, Jeff Milender
-
Patent number: 7093536Abstract: A fault tolerant operating method for a cotton compactor of a cotton module builder or packager of a cotton harvesting machine, which serves as an alternative to shutting down the compacting process or erratic operation thereof, in the event of indication of a fault or failure condition involving one or more sensors associated with the compactor, or a conductive path in connection with a sensor, all generally identified as a fault or failure condition.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2005Date of Patent: August 22, 2006Assignee: CNH America LLCInventors: Tracy R. Archer, Yun-Ren Ho, Kevin D. McKee, Kevin S. Richman
-
Patent number: 6726560Abstract: A dual power path drive for rotatably driving a threshing rotor of an agricultural combine. The drive includes a planetary gear arrangement having an output connected to the rotor for rotation therewith, a rotatable input connected in rotatably driven relation to a rotatable output of a rotatable power source such as a fluid motor of a hydro-static drive controllably operable for variably rotating the output of the fluid motor, and the gear arrangement including an input connectable by engagement of a device such as an engine-to-ring clutch in rotatably driven relation to a rotatable output of an engine of the combine, the clutch including faces connected in rotatably driven relation to the engine and to the ring gear for rotation therewith, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2002Date of Patent: April 27, 2004Assignee: CNH America LLCInventors: Yun Ren Ho, Kevin D. McKee, John Bundy
-
Publication number: 20040018864Abstract: A dual power path drive for rotatably driving a threshing rotor of an agricultural combine. The drive includes a planetary gear arrangement having an output connected to the rotor for rotation therewith, a rotatable input connected in rotatably driven relation to a rotatable output of a rotatable power source such as a fluid motor of a hydro-static drive controllably operable for variably rotating the output of the fluid motor, and the gear arrangement including an input connectable by engagement of a device such as an engine-to-ring clutch in rotatably driven relation to a rotatable output of an engine of the combine, the clutch including faces connected in rotatably driven relation to the engine and to the ring gear for rotation therewith, respectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2002Publication date: January 29, 2004Inventors: Yun Ren Ho, Kevin D. McKee, John Bundy