Patents by Inventor Kyle K. McKinzie
Kyle K. McKinzie 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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Patent number: 10647193Abstract: A power train and related vehicle provides multi-mode power transmission. A first continuously variable power source (“CVP”) may convert rotational power received by the engine for transmission to a second CVP. A variator assembly may receive rotational power from the second CVP at a first input and directly from the engine at a second input. A control assembly may allow the power train to shift between multiple modes, such as a series mode, a split-path mode, and a direct mode. The control assembly may provide seamless shifting between at least two of these modes.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2017Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Kyle K. McKinzie, Reginald M. Bindl
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Patent number: 10619711Abstract: An infinitely variable transmission (IVT) for a work vehicle includes a variator with a first transmission component configured to receive engine power from an engine, a second transmission component configured to receive IVP power from an IVP machine, and an output transmission component configured to output summed engine power and IVP power. The IVT also includes a power reverser that connects the engine to the first transmission component of the variator and that transfers engine power to the first transmission component. The power reverser has a forward mode and a reverse mode. The power reverser, in the forward mode, is configured to rotate the first transmission component in a forward direction. The power reverser, in the reverse mode, is configured to rotate the first transmission component in a reverse direction.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2017Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Kyle K. McKinzie, Clayton G. Janasek, Alec B. Hendryx, Reginald M. Bindl
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Patent number: 10550921Abstract: A power train and related vehicle have a multi-mode power transmission with a first continuously variable power source (“CVP”) that may convert rotational power received by the engine for transmission to a second CVP. A variator assembly may receive rotational power from the second CVP at a first input and directly from the engine at a second input. A control assembly may include one or more output components and a plurality of clutch devices arranged between the one or more output components and the variator assembly and engine. In a first state of the control assembly, the plurality of clutch devices may collectively provide direct power transmission between the engine and the one or more output components. In a second state of the control assembly, the plurality of clutches may collectively provide power transmission between the variator and the one or more output components.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2017Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Kyle K. McKinzie, Reginald M. Bindl
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Patent number: 10451172Abstract: A cooling assembly for a transmission component includes a housing having one or more walls at least in part defining an internal cavity in which the transmission component is mounted. A coolant passage extends through the one or more walls of the housing. A spray plate is mounted to the housing. The spray plate has one or more openings extending through the spray plate in communication with the coolant passage and configured to disperse coolant from the coolant passage to effect an altered spray pattern exiting from a flow outlet of the coolant passage.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2016Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Douglas K. Brownell, Kyle K. McKinzie
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Patent number: 10408325Abstract: A ring gear for a planetary gear set has an annular gear body with a first annular side and a second annular side concentric about a center axis. The first annular side defines a toothed periphery. The gear body may include an annular groove in the first annular side proximate a first axial side of the gear body. An axial flow passage section may extend axially into the gear body from the annular groove without intersecting the first and second annular sides. A radial flow passage section extends radially into the gear body from the second annular side to the axial flow passage section.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2015Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventor: Kyle K. McKinzie
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Publication number: 20180298993Abstract: An infinitely variable transmission (IVT) for a work vehicle includes a variator with a first transmission component configured to receive engine power from an engine, a second transmission component configured to receive IVP power from an IVP machine, and an output transmission component configured output summed engine power and IVP power. The IVT also includes a power reverser that connects the engine to the first transmission component of the variator and that transfers engine power to the first transmission component. The power reverser has a forward mode and a reverse mode. The power reverser, in the forward mode, is configured to rotate the first transmission component in a forward direction. The power reverser, in the reverse mode, is configured to rotate the first transmission component in a reverse direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2017Publication date: October 18, 2018Inventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Kyle K. McKinzie, Clayton G. Janasek, Alec B. Hendryx, Reginald M. Bindl
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Patent number: 10041549Abstract: A disk pack cooling arrangement has a disk pack with alternating first and second plates in which one or more first plates are configured to couple to a first machine component and one or more second plates are configured to couple to a second machine component that is rotatable with respect to the first machine component. Each first plate is of a radial dimension less than each second plate so that one or more annular channels exist radially outward of each first plate. One or more annular springs are disposed in an associated annular channel. Each spring is configured to apply a separating force to at least one second plate and to form one or more flow channels for cooling fluid to reach each first plate from an associated annular channel.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2016Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Kyle K. McKinzie, Steven R. Fliearman, Douglas K. Brownell
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Patent number: 9944163Abstract: A power train and related vehicle are described for multi-mode power transmission. A first continuously variable power source (“CVP”) may convert rotational power received by the engine for transmission to a second CVP. A variator assembly may receive rotational power from the second CVP at a first input and directly from the engine at a second input. A control assembly may include one or more output components and a plurality of clutch devices arranged between the one or more output components and the variator assembly and engine. In a first state of the control assembly, the plurality of clutch devices may collectively provide direct power transmission between the engine and the one or more output components. In a second state of the control assembly, the plurality of clutches may collectively provide power transmission between the variator and the one or more output components.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2014Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventor: Kyle K. McKinzie
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Publication number: 20180043764Abstract: A power train and related vehicle are described for multi-mode power transmission. A first continuously variable power source (“CVP”) may convert rotational power received by the engine for transmission to a second CVP. A variator assembly may receive rotational power from the second CVP at a first input and directly from the engine at a second input. A control assembly may allow the power train to shift between multiple modes, such as a series mode, a split-path mode, and a direct mode. The control assembly may provide seamless shifting between at least two of these modes.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2017Publication date: February 15, 2018Inventors: Kyle K. McKinzie, Reginald M. Bindl
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Patent number: 9891136Abstract: A method for determining a bearing setting of a bearing in a shaft assembly, in which the shaft assembly includes a housing and a shaft rotatable with respect to the housing, with the bearing including a first bearing part coupled to the shaft and a second bearing part coupled to the housing, includes positioning a first portion of a measuring device in direct or indirect contact with the housing and a second portion of the measuring device in direct or indirect contact with the shaft. The method also includes measuring with the measuring device a parameter indicative of an amount of contact between the first bearing part and the second bearing part.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2015Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Douglas K. Brownell, Stacy K. Worley, Kyle K. McKinzie, Robert L. Wood, Jr.
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Publication number: 20180031051Abstract: A disk pack cooling arrangement has a disk pack with alternating first and second plates in which one or more first plates are configured to couple to a first machine component and one or more second plates are configured to couple to a second machine component that is rotatable with respect to the first machine component. Each first plate is of a radial dimension less than each second plate so that one or more annular channels exist radially outward of each first plate. One or more annular springs are disposed in an associated annular channel. Each spring is configured to apply a separating force to at least one second plate and to form one or more flow channels for cooling fluid to reach each first plate from an associated annular channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2016Publication date: February 1, 2018Inventors: Kyle K. McKinzie, Steven R. Fliearman, Douglas K. Brownell
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Patent number: 9845864Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment, a transmission subassembly includes a planet carrier body releasably fixed to an output gear body. The planet carrier body and the output gear body are mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis along which joined sections of an input shaft is located, with one shaft section extending axially through a hollow spindle and carrying a sun gear at a location immediately adjacent a threaded end of the spindle, with the sun gear being meshed with planet gears carried by the planet carrier body. A ring nut is screwed onto the threaded spindle end and serves to properly set a pair of tapered roller bearings that support the output gear body for rotation about the spindle together with the carrier body about the rotation axis. Prior to being assembled into the transmission, the subassembly can be rotatably balanced.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2016Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Douglas K Brownell, Kyle K McKinzie
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Patent number: 9845008Abstract: A method of minimizing the occurrence of wheel slip in a traction vehicle includes a drivetrain, at least one wheel for providing tractive effort on a support surface, and a ground-engaging implement moveable relative to the support surface. The method includes estimating a first force acting against the ground-engaging implement, estimating a second force provided by the at least one wheel operable to move the vehicle on the support surface, and controlling the ground-engaging implement based on a difference between the first force and the second force.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2015Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Douglas K. Brownell, Kyle K. McKinzie
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Publication number: 20170219086Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment, a transmission subassembly includes a planet carrier body releasably fixed to an output gear body. The planet carrier body and the output gear body are mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis along which joined sections of an input shaft is located, with one shaft section extending axially through a hollow spindle and carrying a sun gear at a location immediately adjacent a threaded end of the spindle, with the sun gear being meshed with planet gears carried by the planet carrier body. A ring nut is screwed onto the threaded spindle end and serves to properly set a pair of tapered roller bearings that support the output gear body for rotation about the spindle together with the carrier body about the rotation axis. Prior to being assembled into the transmission, the subassembly can be rotatably balanced.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2016Publication date: August 3, 2017Inventors: Douglas K. Brownell, Kyle K. McKinzie
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Publication number: 20170204962Abstract: A cooling assembly for a transmission component includes a housing having one or more walls at least in part defining an internal cavity in which the transmission component is mounted. A coolant passage extends through the one or more walls of the housing. A spray plate is mounted to the housing. The spray plate has one or more openings extending through the spray plate in communication with the coolant passage and configured to disperse coolant from the coolant passage to effect an altered spray pattern exiting from a flow outlet of the coolant passage.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2016Publication date: July 20, 2017Inventors: Douglas K. Brownell, Kyle K. McKinzie
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Patent number: 9638310Abstract: A drive assembly is disclosed, including a housing cylinder having a cap end and an attachment end including a first attachment surface, with gear teeth being disposed around an inner circumference forming at least one ring gear. The housing cylinder encloses a planetary gear set including at least one sun gear and at least one set of planet gears. An output interface includes an interface body having an annular attachment lip including a second attachment surface. The first attachment surface contacts, and is connected, as by welding, to the second attachment surface, whereby rotational power may be transmitted from the planetary gear set to the output interface via the gear teeth and the contact between the attachment surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2016Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Darren J. Ziskovsky, Steven R. Fliearman, Jeffrey S. Turner, Kyle K. McKinzie, Austin B. Stephens
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Patent number: 9625028Abstract: A shaft retention and lubricating fluid delivery system and method may be used for mounting a pinion shaft to a pinion carrier and providing lubricating fluid to a pinion and pinion bearing. A retaining pin fits inside a pinion shaft radially bore and a pinion carrier radially bore to constrain the axial and rotational movement of the pinion shaft relative to the pinion carrier. Pressurized lubricant and centrifugal force from pinion carrier rotation aids in maintaining the retaining pin in a retaining position. When the pinion carrier is not rotating, a cap screw prevents the retaining pin from disengaging. An annular gap passage between the cap screw and the interior of the pinion shaft allows lubricating fluid to reach the shaft, pinion and pinion bearing.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2014Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventor: Kyle K. McKinzie
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Publication number: 20170089806Abstract: A method for determining a bearing setting of a bearing in a shaft assembly, in which the shaft assembly includes a housing and a shaft rotatable with respect to the housing, with the bearing including a first bearing part coupled to the shaft and a second bearing part coupled to the housing, includes positioning a first portion of a measuring device in direct or indirect contact with the housing and a second portion of the measuring device in direct or indirect contact with the shaft. The method also includes measuring with the measuring device a parameter indicative of an amount of contact between the first bearing part and the second bearing part.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2015Publication date: March 30, 2017Inventors: Douglas K. Brownell, Stacy K. Worley, Kyle K. McKinzie, Robert L. Wood, JR.
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Publication number: 20170066325Abstract: A method of minimizing the occurrence of wheel slip in a traction vehicle includes a drivetrain, at least one wheel for providing tractive effort on a support surface, and a ground-engaging implement moveable relative to the support surface. The method includes estimating a first force acting against the ground-engaging implement, estimating a second force provided by the at least one wheel operable to move the vehicle on the support surface, and controlling the ground-engaging implement based on a difference between the first force and the second force.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2015Publication date: March 9, 2017Inventors: Douglas K. Brownell, Kyle K. McKinzie
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Publication number: 20170059030Abstract: A ring gear for a planetary gear set has an annular gear body with a first annular side and a second annular side concentric about a center axis. The first annular side defines a toothed periphery. The gear body may include an annular groove in the first annular side proximate a first axial side of the gear body. An axial flow passage section may extend axially into the gear body from the annular groove without intersecting the first and second annular sides. A radial flow passage section extends radially into the gear body from the second annular side to the axial flow passage section.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2015Publication date: March 2, 2017Inventor: Kyle K. McKinzie