Patents by Inventor Michael J. Cliff

Michael J. Cliff 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: 12135049
    Abstract: An intelligent work vehicle filtration system includes a hydraulic subsystem, a controller architecture, and an electric drive subsystem containing a battery pack. A hydraulic subsystem includes, in turn, a fine filter device having a first filter efficiency, a coarse filter device having a second filter efficiency less than the first filter efficiency, a hydraulic circuit in which the fine filter device and the coarse filter device are positioned, and a hydraulic pump controllable to circulate hydraulic fluid about the hydraulic circuit. During operation of the intelligent work vehicle filtration system, the controller architecture selectively places the intelligent work vehicle filtration system in an externally-powered filter mode in which hydraulic flow is directed through the fine filter device, while bypassing the coarse filter device, when the electric drive subsystem is electrically coupled to an external power supply utilized to charge the battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Michael J. Cliff
  • Publication number: 20240263423
    Abstract: An intelligent work vehicle preheating system includes an electric drive subsystem containing a battery pack, a hydraulic subsystem containing a first hydraulic fluid (HF) heating device, and a first HF temperature sensor. A memory stores a first minimum target temperature at or above which a first hydraulic fluid body contained in the hydraulic subsystem is desirably maintained. A controller architecture selectively places the intelligent work vehicle preheating system in an off-duty preheat mode when a the electric drive subsystem is connected to an external power supply utilized to charge the battery pack. The controller architecture further controls the HF heating device to heat the first hydraulic fluid body when (i) the intelligent work vehicle preheating system is placed in the off-duty preheat mode, and (ii) the current temperature of the first hydraulic fluid body is less than the first minimum target temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2024
    Publication date: August 8, 2024
    Inventor: Michael J. Cliff
  • Patent number: 12024860
    Abstract: An intelligent work vehicle preheating system includes an electric drive subsystem containing a battery pack, a hydraulic subsystem containing a first hydraulic fluid (HF) heating device, and a first HF temperature sensor. A memory stores a first minimum target temperature at or above which a first hydraulic fluid body contained in the hydraulic subsystem is desirably maintained. A controller architecture selectively places the intelligent work vehicle preheating system in an off-duty preheat mode when the electric drive subsystem is connected to an external power supply utilized to charge the battery pack. The controller architecture further controls the HF heating device to heat the first hydraulic fluid body when (i) the intelligent work vehicle preheating system is placed in the off-duty preheat mode, and (ii) the current temperature of the first hydraulic fluid body is less than the first minimum target temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Michael J. Cliff
  • Patent number: 11867285
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for operating a machine using energy stored in a compress gas are disclosed. Energy stored in the compressed gas may be used to pressurize a fluid, such as transmission fluid, and the pressurized fluid may be used to effectuate an operation of the machine, such as a transmission, and the operation of the machine may involve shifting of a transmission. The gas may be compressed with another fluid that is different from the fluid used to operate the machine, and the two fluid may be prevented from being mixed together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Cliff, Benjamin K. Dollins
  • Patent number: 11808289
    Abstract: A hydraulic fluid pressure amplifier system includes a boost cylinder assembly, an energy storage device in fluid communication with the boost cylinder assembly, and a working cylinder assembly. The boost cylinder assembly is configured to selectively receive a plunger member into a boost cylinder, wherein movement of the plunger member received in the boost cylinder compresses a charge fluid within a blind side volume of the boost cylinder from a first fluid pressure to an amplified fluid pressure greater than the first pressure. The working cylinder assembly is selectively operable responsive to receiving a source hydraulic fluid having a nominal fluid pressure less than the amplified fluid pressure for effecting the movement of the plunger member into the boost cylinder. The energy storage device is operable to selectively receive and store a portion of the charge fluid compressed to the amplified fluid pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Cliff, Steven R. Fliearman, Benjamin K. Dollins
  • Publication number: 20230184324
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for operating a machine using energy stored in a compress gas are disclosed. Energy stored in the compressed gas may be used to pressurize a fluid, such as transmission fluid, and the pressurized fluid may be used to effectuate an operation of the machine, such as a transmission, and the operation of the machine may involve shifting of a transmission. The gas may be compressed with another fluid that is different from the fluid used to operate the machine, and the two fluid may be prevented from being mixed together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2023
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Michael J. Cliff, Benjamin K. Dollins
  • Patent number: 11662017
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for operating a machine using energy stored in a compress gas are disclosed. Energy stored in the compressed gas may be used to pressurize a fluid, such as transmission fluid, and the pressurized fluid may be used to effectuate an operation of the machine, such as a transmission, and the operation of the machine may involve shifting of a transmission. The gas may be compressed with another fluid that is different from the fluid used to operate the machine, and the two fluid may be prevented from being mixed together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Cliff, Benjamin K. Dollins
  • Publication number: 20230131740
    Abstract: A hydraulic fluid pressure amplifier system includes a boost cylinder assembly, an energy storage device in fluid communication with the boost cylinder assembly, and a working cylinder assembly. The boost cylinder assembly is configured to selectively receive a plunger member into a boost cylinder, wherein movement of the plunger member received in the boost cylinder compresses a charge fluid within a blind side volume of the boost cylinder from a first fluid pressure to an amplified fluid pressure greater than the first pressure. The working cylinder assembly is selectively operable responsive to receiving a source hydraulic fluid having a nominal fluid pressure less than the amplified fluid pressure for effecting the movement of the plunger member into the boost cylinder. The energy storage device is operable to selectively receive and store a portion of the charge fluid compressed to the amplified fluid pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Applicant: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Michael J. CLIFF, Steven R. FLIEARMAN, Benjamin K. Dollins
  • Patent number: 11542961
    Abstract: A hydraulic fluid pressure amplifier system includes a boost cylinder assembly, an energy storage device in fluid communication with the boost cylinder assembly, and a working cylinder assembly. The boost cylinder assembly includes a boost cylinder and a boost cylinder piston movable relative to the boost cylinder between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein movement of the boost cylinder piston from the retraced position to the extended position compresses a hydraulic fluid in a blind side volume of the boost cylinder from a nominal fluid pressure to an amplified high fluid pressure greater than the nominal fluid pressure. The energy storage device receives the hydraulic fluid compressed from the nominal fluid pressure to the amplified high fluid pressure. The working cylinder assembly is operatively connected with the boost cylinder assembly and is selectively operable for effecting the movement of the boost cylinder piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Cliff, Steven R. Fliearman, Benjamin K. Dollins
  • Publication number: 20220316502
    Abstract: An intelligent work vehicle filtration system includes a hydraulic subsystem, a controller architecture, and an electric drive subsystem containing a battery pack. A hydraulic subsystem includes, in turn, a fine filter device having a first filter efficiency, a coarse filter device having a second filter efficiency less than the first filter efficiency, a hydraulic circuit in which the fine filter device and the coarse filter device are positioned, and a hydraulic pump controllable to circulate hydraulic fluid about the hydraulic circuit. During operation of the intelligent work vehicle filtration system, the controller architecture selectively places the intelligent work vehicle filtration system in an externally-powered filter mode in which hydraulic flow is directed through the fine filter device, while bypassing the coarse filter device, when the electric drive subsystem is electrically coupled to an external power supply utilized to charge the battery pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventor: Michael J. Cliff
  • Publication number: 20220259825
    Abstract: An intelligent work vehicle preheating system includes an electric drive subsystem containing a battery pack, a hydraulic subsystem containing a first hydraulic fluid (HF) heating device, and a first HF temperature sensor. A memory stores a first minimum target temperature at or above which a first hydraulic fluid body contained in the hydraulic subsystem is desirably maintained. A controller architecture selectively places the intelligent work vehicle preheating system in an off-duty preheat mode when the electric drive subsystem is connected to an external power supply utilized to charge the battery pack. The controller architecture further controls the HF heating device to heat the first hydraulic fluid body when (i) the intelligent work vehicle preheating system is placed in the off-duty preheat mode, and (ii) the current temperature of the first hydraulic fluid body is less than the first minimum target temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventor: Michael J. Cliff
  • Patent number: 11365803
    Abstract: A hydraulic device for a work vehicle includes a device body, a plug, and a filler insert. The device body includes a wall structure between surfaces defining internal passages including an access passage having a first diameter extending from an access opening in the device body to a hydraulic fluid passage extending through the wall structure from an entry opening in a first surface to an exit opening in a second surface to deliver hydraulic fluid through the wall structure. A plug is mounted to the device body to close the access opening. A filler insert is proximate the plug and has a shank having a circular cross-section of a second diameter that is less than the first diameter so as to be decoupled from the inner wall surface of the access passage. An annular space around the shank in the access passage allows the hydraulic fluid to encircle at least a part of the shank of the filler insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Michael J. Cliff
  • Patent number: 11359352
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for a work vehicle has a first hydraulic circuit at a first nominal pressure and a second hydraulic circuit at a second nominal pressure different than the first nominal pressure. A dual-chamber hydraulic reservoir includes a first tank associated with the first hydraulic circuit and defining a first opening and a second tank associated with the second hydraulic circuit and defining a second opening. An exchange system has a particulate filter disposed within an exchange path between the first opening of the first tank and the second opening of the second tank. The exchange system is configured to resupply the first tank with hydraulic fluid from the second tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Michael J. Cliff
  • Publication number: 20220136530
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for operating a machine using energy stored in a compressed gas are disclosed. Energy stored in the compressed gas may be used to pressurize a fluid, such as transmission fluid, and the pressurized fluid may be used to effectuate an operation of the machine, such as a transmission, and the operation of the machine may involve shifting of the transmission. The gas may be compressed by a first fluid using a second fluid, and the two fluids are be prevented from being mixed together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Michael J. Cliff, Steven R. Fliearman
  • Publication number: 20220064907
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for a work vehicle has a first hydraulic circuit at a first nominal pressure and a second hydraulic circuit at a second nominal pressure different than the first nominal pressure. A dual-chamber hydraulic reservoir includes a first tank associated with the first hydraulic circuit and defining a first opening and a second tank associated with the second hydraulic circuit and defining a second opening. An exchange system has a particulate filter disposed within an exchange path between the first opening of the first tank and the second opening of the second tank. The exchange system is configured to resupply the first tank with hydraulic fluid from the second tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Michael J. Cliff
  • Publication number: 20220025614
    Abstract: A hydraulic supply system provides hydraulic power to functional systems of a work vehicle and includes first and second hydraulic circuits. The first hydraulic circuit includes a first fluid pump operable to generate a first hydraulic fluid, a pressure storage reservoir coupled with the first fluid pump, and a first port coupled with the first fluid pump and with the pressure storage reservoir operable to store a reserve hydraulic fluid. The first port delivers a boost hydraulic fluid from the first circuit for use by the work vehicle to operate a first functional system of the work vehicle. The second hydraulic circuit includes a second fluid pump that generates a second hydraulic fluid, and a second port coupled with the second fluid pump delivers the second hydraulic fluid from the second hydraulic circuit for use by the work vehicle to operate a second functional system of the work vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Applicant: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Cliff, Steven R. Fliearman
  • Publication number: 20220025969
    Abstract: A hydraulic device for a work vehicle includes a device body, a plug, and a filler insert. The device body includes a wall structure between surfaces defining internal passages including an access passage having a first diameter extending from an access opening in the device body to a hydraulic fluid passage extending through the wall structure from an entry opening in a first surface to an exit opening in a second surface to deliver hydraulic fluid through the wall structure. A plug is mounted to the device body to close the access opening. A filler insert is proximate the plug and has a shank having a circular cross-section of a second diameter that is less than the first diameter so as to be decoupled from the inner wall surface of the access passage. An annular space around the shank in the access passage allows the hydraulic fluid to encircle at least a part of the shank of the filler insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventor: Michael J. Cliff
  • Patent number: 11230822
    Abstract: A hydraulic supply system provides hydraulic power to functional systems of a work vehicle and includes first and second hydraulic circuits. The first hydraulic circuit includes a first fluid pump operable to generate a first hydraulic fluid, a pressure storage reservoir coupled with the first fluid pump, and a first port coupled with the first fluid pump and with the pressure storage reservoir operable to store a reserve hydraulic fluid. The first port delivers a boost hydraulic fluid from the first circuit for use by the work vehicle to operate a first functional system of the work vehicle. The second hydraulic circuit includes a second fluid pump that generates a second hydraulic fluid, and a second port coupled with the second fluid pump delivers the second hydraulic fluid from the second hydraulic circuit for use by the work vehicle to operate a second functional system of the work vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Cliff, Steven R. Fliearman
  • Publication number: 20210404550
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for operating a machine using energy stored in a compress gas are disclosed. Energy stored in the compressed gas may be used to pressurize a fluid, such as transmission fluid, and the pressurized fluid may be used to effectuate an operation of the machine, such as a transmission, and the operation of the machine may involve shifting of a transmission. The gas may be compressed with another fluid that is different from the fluid used to operate the machine, and the two fluid may be prevented from being mixed together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: MICHAEL J. CLIFF, BENJAMIN K. DOLLINS
  • Patent number: 11028917
    Abstract: A work equipment transmission includes a gear, a gearbox, and a baffle. The gearbox housing contains the gear within an internal cavity that defines a sump and is defined by a first housing body having a first baffle-retaining surface and an outlet opening and a second housing body having a second baffle-retaining surface. The baffle has a shroud wall defining a peripheral lip for engagement with the first baffle-retaining surface, an annular collar having an annular collar lip for engagement with the second baffle-retaining surface, and an end wall. The baffle is mounted within the gearbox housing, the end wall extending proximate the gear and the shroud wall extending at least partially around the gear. The baffle is mounted by a clamping force between the first housing body and the second housing body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Marc David Chapman, Michael J. Cliff