Patents by Inventor Kevin M. Allen
Kevin M. Allen 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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Publication number: 20250074115Abstract: An axle assembly includes an axle configured for rotation by receiving rotational power from the power source and an axle housing containing the axle. The axle assembly further includes a brake disk disposed in the axle housing, coupled to the axle, and configured for rotation upon the rotation of the axle, a lubricant circuit extending from a lubricant circuit inlet axially aligned with the brake disk to a lubricant circuit outlet in the axle housing, and a heat exchanger disposed in the lubricant circuit to exchange heat between lubricant in the lubricant circuit and coolant circulating through the heat exchanger.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2023Publication date: March 6, 2025Inventors: KEVIN M. ALLEN, SHANTANU S. JOSHI
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Publication number: 20250018914Abstract: A brake assembly includes a housing configured to contain lubricant at a lubricant level, a shaft disposed in the housing, an annular brake pack disposed in the housing and around the shaft, an annular piston disposed in the housing and around the shaft and configured to move axially relative to the annular brake pack, a spring disposed in the housing and around the shaft, abutting the piston, configured to act against the piston, and including a lower portion of the spring configured to be disposed below the lubricant level and an upper portion of the spring configured to be disposed above the lubricant level, and an annular lubricant absorber disposed at the spring and configured to supply lubricant to the upper portion of the spring.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2023Publication date: January 16, 2025Inventors: KEVIN M. ALLEN, MARTIN L. MEEK, JR., SHANTANU S. JOSHI, GALEN R. LOVE
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Patent number: 11498410Abstract: A powered axle for a work vehicle with a dual wheel arrangement includes an axle housing, an axle hub mounted to the axle housing, and an output hub having opposite axial ends supported by one or more wheel bearings for rotation about the axle hub along a rotation axis. An electric drive is disposed, at least in part, within the axle housing, and a hub gear set is disposed, at least in part, within the axle hub and configured to transmit power from the electric drive to the output hub for rotation of the dual wheel arrangement. A wheel brake disposed radially between the axle hub and the output hub and axially between the ends of the output hub is configured to selectively permit and arrest rotation of the output hub.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2019Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Reginald M. Bindl, Kevin M. Allen
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Patent number: 11458935Abstract: A work vehicle includes a drive axle assembly having an axle housing with an input opening and output openings in communication with an interior cavity. A gear assembly is disposed in the interior cavity of the axle housing, with the gear assembly having an input shaft extending through the input opening and coupled for co-rotation with a drive shaft. A park brake assembly is integrated with the drive axle assembly and is disposed within the axle housing. The park brake assembly imparts a brake force to arrest rotation of the input shaft, with the park brake assembly including a brake pack and a piston disposed about the input opening of the axle housing and with the piston configured to move relative to and act on the brake pack. A Belleville spring arrangement is also disposed about the input opening of the axle housing and acts on the piston to engage or release the park brake.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2021Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Shantanu S. Joshi, Galen R. Love, Kevin M. Allen, Ravindra Khot, Garrett F. Dollins
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Patent number: 11286995Abstract: A hydraulic clutch assembly includes a housing defining an internal cavity, a shaft, a clutch pack, a piston and a cylinder. The shaft extends within the internal cavity along a rotation axis for a rotatable member. The clutch pack includes interleaved plates and discs which are configured to rotationally couple the rotatable member to the shaft. The piston may be disposed within the internal cavity of the housing. The piston includes a first piston region and a second piston region. The first piston region is configured to engage the clutch pack while the second piston region is spaced radially from the first piston region. The piston may be arranged within the housing to define a first pressure chamber between the piston and the housing. The cylinder may be disposed within the internal cavity of the housing and may include a hollow interior for receiving the second piston region. The second piston region and the cylinder may define a second pressure chamber.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2021Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Satheesh Ganesan, Kevin M. Allen
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Patent number: 11193577Abstract: An epicyclic gear system, a fluid directing ring, and a method of directing a fluid to at least one fluid passage of a carrier in an epicyclic gear system are provided. The system includes a sun gear, a plurality of planet gears disposed around the sun gear, a carrier configured for rotation relative to the sun gear and having at least one fluid passage having a fluid passage inlet for supplying a fluid to at least one of the plurality of planet gears, and a plurality of fluid directors fixed for rotation with the carrier and disposed radially inward from the fluid passage inlet. Each of the plurality of fluid directors has a directing surface configured to receive the fluid conveyed radially outwardly and direct the fluid in a direction of rotation of the carrier.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2019Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventor: Kevin M. Allen
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Patent number: 11015662Abstract: A clutch assembly includes a housing, a rotational member configured to rotate relative to the housing about an axis, and a clutch pack coupled between the housing and the rotational member. The clutch pack is configured to regulate movement of the rotational member relative to the housing. The clutch pack includes a speed sensor ring coupled to the rotational member such that the speed sensor ring is configured to rotate with the rotational member about the axis. The clutch assembly includes a sensor in communication with the speed sensor ring. The sensor is configured to measure an angular velocity of the rotational member relative to the housing.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2019Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Jeffrey S. Turner, Austin B. Stephens, Kevin M. Allen, Jacob E. Morris
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Publication number: 20210122227Abstract: A powered axle for a work vehicle with a dual wheel arrangement includes an axle housing, an axle hub mounted to the axle housing, and an output hub having opposite axial ends supported by one or more wheel bearings for rotation about the axle hub along a rotation axis. An electric drive is disposed, at least in part, within the axle housing, and a hub gear set is disposed, at least in part, within the axle hub and configured to transmit power from the electric drive to the output hub for rotation of the dual wheel arrangement. A wheel brake disposed radially between the axle hub and the output hub and axially between the ends of the output hub is configured to selectively permit and arrest rotation of the output hub.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2019Publication date: April 29, 2021Inventors: Reginald M. Bindl, Kevin M. Allen
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Publication number: 20210116012Abstract: An epicyclic gear system, a fluid directing ring, and a method of directing a fluid to at least one fluid passage of a carrier in an epicyclic gear system are provided. The system includes a sun gear, a plurality of planet gears disposed around the sun gear, a carrier configured for rotation relative to the sun gear and having at least one fluid passage having a fluid passage inlet for supplying a fluid to at least one of the plurality of planet gears, and a plurality of fluid directors fixed for rotation with the carrier and disposed radially inward from the fluid passage inlet. Each of the plurality of fluid directors has a directing surface configured to receive the fluid conveyed radially outwardly and direct the fluid in a direction of rotation of the carrier.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2019Publication date: April 22, 2021Inventor: KEVIN M. ALLEN
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Publication number: 20210018051Abstract: A clutch assembly includes a housing, a rotational member configured to rotate relative to the housing about an axis, and a clutch pack coupled between the housing and the rotational member. The clutch pack is configured to regulate movement of the rotational member relative to the housing. The clutch pack includes a speed sensor ring coupled to the rotational member such that the speed sensor ring is configured to rotate with the rotational member about the axis. The clutch assembly includes a sensor in communication with the speed sensor ring. The sensor is configured to measure an angular velocity of the rotational member relative to the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2019Publication date: January 21, 2021Inventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Jeffrey S. Turner, Austin B. Stephens, Kevin M. Allen, Jacob E. Morris
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Patent number: 10458479Abstract: A method of assembling a shaft assembly having a shaft defining a longitudinal axis and including a groove in an outer circumferential surface includes positioning a hub relative to the shaft and positioning a retaining ring in the groove of the shaft and adjacent to the hub. The method also includes securing a retaining member to the retaining ring. Securing a retaining member to the retaining ring includes advancing a portion of the retaining member towards the hub and deforming the portion relative to the retaining ring.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2017Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventor: Kevin M. Allen
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Patent number: 10012313Abstract: A seal arrangement includes an annular energizer backing an annual seal. The seal is disposed about a central axis and has a first seal surface extending in a radial direction, a second seal surface extending in an axial direction, and a back side opposite at least one of the first and second seal surfaces. The annular energizer is made of a resilient compressible material configured to engage the back side of the seal. The seal and the energizer are arranged concentrically about the central axis, and the energizer engages the seal asymmetrically with respect to a radial plane extending through an axial center of the seal to apply a biasing force to the seal biasing the first seal surface in a first radial direction and biasing the second seal surface in a first axial direction.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2015Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventor: Kevin M. Allen
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Publication number: 20170307021Abstract: A method of assembling a shaft assembly having a shaft defining a longitudinal axis and including a groove in an outer circumferential surface includes positioning a hub relative to the shaft and positioning a retaining ring in the groove of the shaft and adjacent to the hub. The method also includes securing a retaining member to the retaining ring. Securing a retaining member to the retaining ring includes advancing a portion of the retaining member towards the hub and deforming the portion relative to the retaining ring.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2017Publication date: October 26, 2017Inventor: Kevin M. Allen
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Patent number: 9714681Abstract: A method of assembling a shaft assembly having a shaft defining a longitudinal axis and including a groove in an outer circumferential surface includes positioning a hub relative to the shaft and positioning a retaining ring in the groove of the shaft and adjacent to the hub. The retaining ring includes an annular body that has a first end spaced apart from a second end. The method also includes securing a retaining member to the retaining ring to constrain the first end relative to the second end.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2015Date of Patent: July 25, 2017Assignee: Deer & CompanyInventor: Kevin M. Allen
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Publication number: 20170089462Abstract: A seal arrangement includes an annular energizer backing an annual seal. The seal is disposed about a central axis and has a first seal surface extending in a radial direction, a second seal surface extending in an axial direction, and a back side opposite at least one of the first and second seal surfaces. The annular energizer is made of a resilient compressible material configured to engage the back side of the seal. The seal and the energizer are arranged concentrically about the central axis, and the energizer engages the seal asymmetrically with respect to a radial plane extending through an axial center of the seal to apply a biasing force to the seal biasing the first seal surface in a first radial direction and biasing the second seal surface in a first axial direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2015Publication date: March 30, 2017Inventor: Kevin M. Allen
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Publication number: 20170089398Abstract: A method of assembling a shaft assembly having a shaft defining a longitudinal axis and including a groove in an outer circumferential surface includes positioning a hub relative to the shaft and positioning a retaining ring in the groove of the shaft and adjacent to the hub. The retaining ring includes an annular body that has a first end spaced apart from a second end. The method also includes securing a retaining member to the retaining ring to constrain the first end relative to the second end.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2015Publication date: March 30, 2017Inventor: Kevin M. Allen
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Patent number: 6920673Abstract: A feedthrough device and brazing process for joining the constituent parts of the feedthrough while allowing a lead to pass therethrough in a nonconductive manner is described. The feedthrough comprises at least one lead, a ferrule defining a capacitor recess and an insulator recess. An insulator disposed in the insulator recess defines a passageway allowing the lead to pass therethrough. A capacitor disposed in the capacitor recess defines a capacitor passageway allowing the lead to pass therethrough. The capacitor comprises first and second sets of plates, the first set being conductively coupled to the ferrule and the second set being conductively coupled to the lead. The braze joints between the insulator and the lead and between the insulator and ferrule are formed first at a first temperature using an insulator braze material.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2002Date of Patent: July 26, 2005Assignee: Greatbatch-Hittman, Inc.Inventors: Kevin M. Allen, Thomas W. Shipman, Allan S. Gelb
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Patent number: 6768629Abstract: A filtered feedthrough including a ferrule surrounding an insulator supporting one or more lead wires and at least one ground pin is described. The insulator defines a channel cutout extending from a first insulator side to a channel cutout bottom part way through the thickness of the insulator and in communication with the ferrule. An attached filter capacitor shunts electromagnetic interference from the lead wire to the ground pin, and the ground pin is in electrical communication with the ferrule by way of a ferrule-ground pin braze joint formed in the channel cutout.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2003Date of Patent: July 27, 2004Assignee: Greatbatch-Hittman, Inc.Inventors: Kevin M. Allen, Thomas W. Shipman, Christine Frysz
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Publication number: 20030123215Abstract: A feedthrough device and brazing process for joining the constituent parts of the feedthrough device, while allowing a lead to pass therethrough in a nonconductive manner. The feedthrough comprises at least one lead, a ferrule defining a capacitor recess and defining an insulator recess, an insulator disposed in the insulator recess of the ferrule, the insulator defining a passageway sized to allow the lead to pass therethrough. The feedthrough further comprises a capacitor disposed in the capacitor recess and defining a capacitor passageway sized to allow the lead to pass threrethrough, and the capacitor comprises first and second sets of plates, wherein the first set of plates is conductively coupled to the ferrule and the second set of plates is conductively coupled to the lead. Brazing is a two step process wherein the braze joints between the insulator and the lead and between the insulator and ferrule are formed first at a first temperature using an insulator braze material.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2002Publication date: July 3, 2003Inventors: Kevin M. Allen, Thomas W. Shipman, Allan S. Gelb
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Patent number: 6490148Abstract: A feedthrough device and brazing process for joining the constituent parts of the feedthrough device, while allowing a lead to pass therethrough in a nonconductive manner. The feedthrough comprises at least one lead, a ferrule defining a capacitor recess and defining an insulator recess, an insulator disposed in the insulator recess of the ferrule, the insulator defining a passageway sized to allow the lead to pass therethrough. The feedthrough further comprises a capacitor disposed in the capacitor recess and defining a capacitor passageway sized to allow the lead to pass threrethrough, and the capacitor comprises first and second sets of plates, wherein the first set of plates is conductively coupled to the ferrule and the second set of plates is conductively coupled to the lead. Brazing is a two step process wherein the braze joints between the insulator and the lead and between the insulator and ferrule are formed first at a first temperature using an insulator braze material.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2002Date of Patent: December 3, 2002Assignee: Greatbatch-Hittman, IncorporatedInventors: Kevin M. Allen, Thomas W. Shipman, Allan S. Gelb