Patents by Inventor Stephen G. Crain

Stephen G. Crain 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: 11637506
    Abstract: A direct-current (DC) power generation system for a vehicle, a boosting shunt regulator, and a method of regulating the output of an AC generator with the boosting shunt regulator are provided. The boosting shunt regulator includes gated power switches electrically coupled between AC generator contacts and output contacts. A shunt operates the power switches at duty cycles selected to boost the AC voltages output by the AC generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen G. Crain, Markus Hoffet
  • Publication number: 20230102266
    Abstract: Systems and methods for starting and restarting an engine of a vehicle are disclosed. Power systems for an engine are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Applicant: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen G. Crain, Trevor F. Rhodes, Yassin M. Kelay, David F. Buehler, Markus Hoffet, James H. Buchwitz, Nicholas A.M. Hartung, Ricky G. Jaeger, Ronnie R. Danielson, Dallas J. Blake, Beat R. Kohler, Philippe Gasdia, Joseph D. Tharaldson, Garrett J. Hebbard, Andreas H. Bilek, Derek Zimney
  • Publication number: 20220315115
    Abstract: A vehicle shown herein is a side by side utility vehicle having frame configured to effectively transfer various loads throughout the frame as whole. The vehicle may further or alternatively include a routing tray configured to retain various fluid lines of the vehicle, a transmission including a passive duct acoustical attenuation device, a door seal configured to allow the frame to contact the seal at an angle, a modular door actuating mechanism, and/or a modular skid plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Applicant: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy S. Lyons, Daniel S. Weber, Keith A. Hollman, Aaron D. Deckard, Travis J. Saari, Bryce A. Holm, Nick S. Levin, Christopher A. Barnett, Stephen G. Crain, Amery D. Kuhl, Bruce A. St. Yves, Boris Rubanovich, Jacob A. Frank
  • Publication number: 20220243810
    Abstract: A utility vehicle includes a frame assembly, a plurality of ground-engaging members supporting the frame assembly, and a powertrain assembly operably coupled to the ground-engaging members and including a prime mover and a continuously variable transmission. Additionally, the utility vehicle includes an operator defined by a portion of the frame assembly and including seating for at least an operator. The utility vehicle also includes an electrical assembly comprising an electric motor operably coupled to the continuously variable transmission. The electric motor is positioned rearward of the operator area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventors: Dylan T. Truskolaski, Zacharey J. Hussong, Brian D. Krosschell, John M. Nutter, Steven R. Franker, Anthony J. Myhre, Gary A. Pinkley, Adrien O. Lechat, David A. Galsworthy, Andrew C. Schleif, Ryan A. Tholen, Anthony J. Ripley, Stephen L. Nelson, Jeffrey I. Peterman, Samuel C. Willenbring, Maxim Kolesnikov, Adam J. Heinzen, Maverick J. Klotz, Stephen G. Crain
  • Publication number: 20210139299
    Abstract: A winch control system is disclosed. The winch control system may be used to control or operate a winch on a vehicle in a selected mode, such as a plow mode. The winch control system may include or receive input from selected sensors relative to the vehicle to assist in control and operation of the winch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventors: Stephen G. CRAIN, Jeremiah T. JOHNSTUN, Timothy P. NORSTAD, William J. STRNAD, Michael G. VRUDNY, Nicholas R. ARENS, Trevor F. RHODES, Michael C. LEIGHTON
  • Patent number: 10870465
    Abstract: A power generation system is provided including a power boost regulator operative to provide load matched voltage operation of an AC power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen G. Crain, Derek D. Zimney
  • Patent number: 10793226
    Abstract: A power generation system is provided including a power boost regulator operative to provide load matched voltage operation of an AC power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen G. Crain, Markus Hoffet, Peter Erasmus, Joshua J. Stevens, Joseph D. Tharaldson, Brad W. Teubner
  • Patent number: 10780949
    Abstract: A power generation system is provided including a power boost regulator operative to provide load matched voltage operation of an AC power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen G. Crain, Brad W. Teubner, Joshua J. Stevens, Joseph D. Tharaldson, Markus Hoffet, Lawrence J. Hosaluk, Matthew D. Reeves, Peter Erasmus, Chad A. Dale
  • Patent number: 10731620
    Abstract: A system for starting an engine of a vehicle has a fuel injector injecting fuel into a closed intake port to form an air fuel mixture. The system also includes an actuator rotating a crankshaft in a first direction to open the intake port by moving a piston within a cylinder coupled to the crankshaft. A combustion chamber defines between the cylinder and the port receiving the air fuel mixture through the intake port. The actuator rotates the crankshaft in a second direction to close the intake port. A spark plug ignites the air fuel mixture to start the engine. The engine also includes many other disclosed features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Dallas J. Blake, James A. Barczak, Lawrence J. Hosaluk, Darren J. Hedlund, Oliver J. Young, Matthew D. Reeves, Joseph D. Tharaldson, Chad A. Dale, Stephen G. Crain, Trevor F. Rhodes
  • Patent number: 10707741
    Abstract: A generator to generate electrical power from rotational motion and a method of making the generator. The generator includes a rotor including a plurality of magnetic poles; and a stator including a magnetic core comprising a body and teeth extending radially from the body and defining a plurality of slots therebetween. The stator also includes a first three-phase winding and a second three-phase winding, each of the first three-phase winding and the second three phase winding including first, second, and third phase windings comprised of coils individually wound around each of the teeth. At least two coils of each of the first, second, and third phase windings of the first three-phase winding and the second three phase winding are individually wound on teeth positioned next to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen G. Crain
  • Patent number: 10647324
    Abstract: Vehicles including a plurality of front and rear ground engaging members, a front driveline operatively coupled to a first power source, a rear driveline operatively coupled to a second power source, at least one controller operatively coupled to the first drive system and the second drive system are disclosed. The vehicles may further include a torque request input adapted to be actuatable by an operator of the vehicle. The torque request input may provide an indication of a requested torque to the at least one controller. The at least one controller may, based on the requested torque, command a first output of the first drive system to the at least one front ground engaging member and a second output of the second drive system to the at least one rear ground engaging member. Vehicle drive control systems are also disclosed. Methods of controlling torque and battery management are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen G. Crain, Peter J. Erasmus, David F. Buehler, Markus Hoffet, Kevin P. Blair
  • Publication number: 20190214921
    Abstract: A direct-current (DC) power generation system for a vehicle, a boosting shunt regulator, and a method of regulating the output of an AC generator with the boosting shunt regulator are provided. The boosting shunt regulator includes gated power switches electrically coupled between AC generator contacts and output contacts. A shunt operates the power switches at duty cycles selected to boost the AC voltages output by the AC generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Stephen G. Crain, Markus Hoffet
  • Publication number: 20190136818
    Abstract: A system for starting an engine of a vehicle has a fuel injector injecting fuel into a closed intake port to form an air fuel mixture. The system also includes an actuator rotating a crankshaft in a first direction to open the intake port by moving a piston within a cylinder coupled to the crankshaft. A combustion chamber defines between the cylinder and the port receiving the air fuel mixture through the intake port. The actuator rotates the crankshaft in a second direction to close the intake port. A spark plug ignites the air fuel mixture to start the engine. The engine also includes many other disclosed features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Applicant: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Dallas J. BLAKE, James A. BARCZAK, Lawrence J. HOSALUK, Darren J. HEDLUND, Oliver J. YOUNG, Matthew D. REEVES, Joseph D. THARALDSON, Chad A. DALE, Stephen G. CRAIN, Trevor F. RHODES
  • Publication number: 20190028013
    Abstract: A generator to generate electrical power from rotational motion and a method of making the generator. The generator includes a rotor including a plurality of magnetic poles; and a stator including a magnetic core comprising a body and teeth extending radially from the body and defining a plurality of slots therebetween. The stator also includes a first three-phase winding and a second three-phase winding, each of the first three-phase winding and the second three phase winding including first, second, and third phase windings comprised of coils individually wound around each of the teeth. At least two coils of each of the first, second, and third phase windings of the first three-phase winding and the second three phase winding are individually wound on teeth positioned next to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Applicant: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen G. Crain
  • Publication number: 20180086419
    Abstract: A power generation system is provided including a power boost regulator operative to provide load matched voltage operation of an AC power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Stephen G. Crain, Derek D. Zimney
  • Publication number: 20180086343
    Abstract: Vehicles including a plurality of front and rear ground engaging members, a front driveline operatively coupled to a first power source, a rear driveline operatively coupled to a second power source, at least one controller operatively coupled to the first drive system and the second drive system are disclosed. The vehicles may further include a torque request input adapted to be actuatable by an operator of the vehicle. The torque request input may provide an indication of a requested torque to the at least one controller. The at least one controller may, based on the requested torque, command a first output of the first drive system to the at least one front ground engaging member and a second output of the second drive system to the at least one rear ground engaging member. Vehicle drive control systems are also disclosed. Methods of controlling torque and battery management are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Stephen G. Crain, Peter J. Erasmus, David F. Buehler, Markus Hoffet, Kevin P. Blair
  • Patent number: 9644969
    Abstract: An interactive system for use in connection with recreational vehicle usage includes a server system, including an off-road trail database containing trail data, trail condition information, and points-of-interest information, as well as a trip mapping system accessible by any of a plurality of riders, allowing a rider to create a route based on the data in the off-road trip database. The server system further includes a trail maintenance interface accessible by users affiliated with an authorized group to edit the trail data, trail condition information, and points-of-interest information associated with the authorized group. The server system includes a location data management system configured to receive location data, allowing a rider to publish location information to one or more other riders, and a user feedback interface configured to receive trip data from riders for publication, including information describing an actual route and user data associated with that route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Koenig, Joseph D. Tharaldson, Adam C. Koosmann, Christopher G. Wolf, William C. Fisher, Kim A. Weckert, John W. Callahan, Daren W. Herman, Todd L. Frostad, Gary L. Gustafon, Stephen G. Crain, Jonathan P. Oakden-Graus
  • Publication number: 20160339997
    Abstract: A power generation system is provided including a power boost regulator operative to provide load matched voltage operation of an AC power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Applicant: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen G. Crain, Markus Hoffet, Peter Erasmus, Joshua J. Stevens, Joseph D. Tharaldson, Brad W. Teubner
  • Publication number: 20160339857
    Abstract: A power generation system is provided including a power boost regulator operative to provide load matched voltage operation of an AC power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Applicant: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen G. Crain, Brad W. Teubner, Joshua J. Stevens, Joseph D. Tharaldson, Markus Hoffet, Lawrence J. Hosaluk, Matthew D. Reeves, Peter Erasmus, Chad A. Dale
  • Publication number: 20160003621
    Abstract: An interactive system for use in connection with recreational vehicle usage includes a server system, including an off-road trail database containing trail data, trail condition information, and points-of-interest information, as well as a trip mapping system accessible by any of a plurality of riders, allowing a rider to create a route based on the data in the off-road trip database. The server system further includes a trail maintenance interface accessible by users affiliated with an authorized group to edit the trail data, trail condition information, and points-of-interest information associated with the authorized group. The server system includes a location data management system configured to receive location data, allowing a rider to publish location information to one or more other riders, and a user feedback interface configured to receive trip data from riders for publication, including information describing an actual route and user data associated with that route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: David J. Koenig, Joseph D. Tharaldson, Adam C. Koosmann, Christopher G. Wolf, William C. Fisher, Kim A. Weckert, John W. Callahan, Daren W. Herman, Todd L. Frostad, Gary L. Gustafson, Stephen G. Crain