Patents by Inventor Robert Clayton Emmert

Robert Clayton Emmert 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: 11273861
    Abstract: A method of operating a steering system having a rotatable steering control, a steering actuator having a rod movable along a range of travel, a rotary device coupled to the steering control, and a valve assembly disposed between the rotary device and the steering actuator includes rotating the steering control in a first direction, displacing the rod toward an end of the range of travel, and determining when the rod reaches the end of the range of travel. The method also includes, after determining, actuating the valve assembly from a first position in which the rotary device is not in fluid communication with the steering actuator, to a second position in which the rotary device is in fluid communication with the steering actuator, and inhibiting further rotation of the steering control in the first direction due to back pressure on the rotary device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert Clayton Emmert, Troy Schick
  • Publication number: 20200216112
    Abstract: A method of operating a steering system having a rotatable steering control, a steering actuator having a rod movable along a range of travel, a rotary device coupled to the steering control, and a valve assembly disposed between the rotary device and the steering actuator includes rotating the steering control in a first direction, displacing the rod toward an end of the range of travel, and determining when the rod reaches the end of the range of travel. The method also includes, after determining, actuating the valve assembly from a first position in which the rotary device is not in fluid communication with the steering actuator, to a second position in which the rotary device is in fluid communication with the steering actuator, and inhibiting further rotation of the steering control in the first direction due to back pressure on the rotary device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Robert Clayton Emmert, Troy Schick
  • Patent number: 10633015
    Abstract: A steering system includes a user-manipulable steering control, a steering actuator, a pump, and a first valve assembly configured to control a flow of fluid from the pump to the steering actuator in response to manipulation of the steering control. The steering system also includes a rotary device coupled to the steering control. The rotary device is configured to direct fluid in response to manipulation of the steering control. The steering system further includes a second valve assembly movable between a first position in which the rotary device is not in fluid communication with the steering actuator and a second position in which the second valve assembly fluidly communicates the rotary device with the steering actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert Clayton Emmert, Troy Schick
  • Publication number: 20180297632
    Abstract: A steering system includes a user-manipulable steering control, a steering actuator, a pump, and a first valve assembly configured to control a flow of fluid from the pump to the steering actuator in response to manipulation of the steering control. The steering system also includes a rotary device coupled to the steering control. The rotary device is configured to direct fluid in response to manipulation of the steering control. The steering system further includes a second valve assembly movable between a first position in which the rotary device is not in fluid communication with the steering actuator and a second position in which the second valve assembly fluidly communicates the rotary device with the steering actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Robert Clayton Emmert, Troy Schick
  • Patent number: 7401623
    Abstract: A hydraulic system includes a charge pump which supplies fluid to variable displacement main pump, a fluid reservoir and valve unit. The valve unit includes a hollow housing having a first end communicated with the reservoir and a second end communicated with the charge pump and the main pump. A housing valve land member is located between the first and second ends. A valve member is movably mounted in the housing. The valve member has a valve disk attached to first and second valve stems which project from opposite sides of the valve disk. The valve disk has a central position wherein the valve disk is received by the ring. The valve stems are slidably supported by stem support members at opposite ends of the housing. A hollow sleeve projects from an end of the valve unit. A spring is mounted in the sleeve and is engagable with an end of one of the valve stems and is biased to urge the valve member away from the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Phillip S. Roe, Robert Clayton Emmert
  • Patent number: 7401465
    Abstract: A hydraulic system is provided for an engine driven vehicle. The hydraulic system includes a higher pressure engine driven pump for supplying pressurized fluid to a higher pressure circuit via a first supply line. The system also includes a lower pressure engine driven pump for supplying lower pressure fluid to a lower pressure circuit via a second supply line. The system also includes a pressure responsive relief valve. The relief valve has a sensing port connected to the first supply line, an inlet connected to the first supply line, and an outlet connected to the second circuit via the second supply line. The relief valve opens when a demand of the higher pressure circuit is satisfied. A cut-off valve controls communication between the high pressure circuit and a reservoir, and a control unit controls the cut-off valve as a function of operation of the high pressure circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Robert Clayton Emmert, Gregory Evan Sparks, Gary Lee Dostal