Patents by Inventor Steven R. Fliearman
Steven R. Fliearman 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: 12043981Abstract: A drive assembly for a work vehicle includes an electric machine input arrangement with a first electric machine configured to generate a first source of power, an electric machine input gear assembly configured to receive the first source of power from the first electric machine, and a second electric machine configured to generate a second source of power. The drive assembly further includes a combination gear arrangement coupled to selectively receive the first source of power from the electric machine input gear assembly and the second source of power from the second electric machine to produce a combined power; and an electric machine output arrangement configured to receive and transfer the combined power from the combination gear arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2020Date of Patent: July 23, 2024Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Jeffrey S. Turner, Douglas S. Base
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Patent number: 11938812Abstract: A tandem wheel assembly or kit has a housing that includes a central chain box, a first wheel end casing, and a second wheel end casing. The central chain box has an internal volume extending between a first box end and a second box end, a unitary pivot portion having a box opening disposed about a pivot axis, a first box flange with a first box flange face and a second box flange with a second box flange face. The first wheel end casing has a first wheel end flange with a first wheel end flange face mateable with the first box flange face, a first wheel end opening, and defines a first length. The second wheel end casing has a second wheel end flange with a second wheel end flange face mateable with the second box flange face, a second wheel end opening, and defines a second length.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2020Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Jackson Baca, Prashant Shinde
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Patent number: 11884150Abstract: A tandem wheel assembly for a work vehicle includes a tandem wheel housing, a center drive member rotatably disposed within the housing, first and second wheel end assemblies, a coupler between each wheel end drive member and the center drive member, and a brake assembly. Each wheel end assembly includes an input shaft, a wheel end drive member mounted thereon, a wheel end gear train coupled to the input shaft, an output shaft coupled to the wheel end gear train, and a wheel end hub coupled to the output shaft for supporting one of the wheels. The brake assembly is coupled to the tandem wheel housing and to the input shaft or the output shaft of at least one of the first wheel end assembly or the second wheel end assembly and reduces the amount of backlash.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2021Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Prashant Shinde, Galen R. Love
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Patent number: 11866910Abstract: A drive assembly for a work vehicle has a drive housing, including a first housing element forming a reaction member, a drive shaft, a planetary gear set coupled to the drive shaft and configured to selectively rotate an output element. The planetary gear set has an input component, an output component and a reaction component. One or more input clutch arrangements at an input side of the drive assembly are configured to selectively interface with the planetary gear set to effect a rotation speed of the output element. A control clutch arrangement interfaces with the reaction member and the reaction component. The control clutch arrangement is configured to selectively couple and decouple the reaction member from the reaction component to damp a torque increase transmitted to the output element.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2021Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Clayton G. Janasek
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Patent number: 11820223Abstract: A tandem wheel assembly includes a tandem wheel housing having a center opening extending along a pivot axis, and wheel end openings extending along associated wheel axes. A pivot cage is configured to fixedly mount to a chassis of a vehicle and is disposed about the pivot axis at the center opening. A center sprocket is disposed within and rotatable with respect to the pivot cage. A wheel end assembly is disposed at each wheel end opening and has a wheel end sprocket, a wheel end gear train, and a wheel end hub. Each wheel end gear train is coupled for rotation by the wheel end sprocket and rotates the wheel end hub about the wheel end axis. A pair of reaction bars are pivotally coupled to the pivot cage at one end and to a component of the wheel end gear train at the other end.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2020Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Prashant Shinde
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Patent number: 11808289Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 25, 2021Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Michael J. Cliff, Steven R. Fliearman, Benjamin K. Dollins
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Patent number: 11760196Abstract: A tandem wheel assembly for a work vehicle includes a tandem wheel housing having a center opening disposed about a pivot axis and first and second wheel end openings disposed about associated first and second wheel axes that are substantially parallel with the pivot axis. A center sprocket within the tandem wheel housing is rotatable about the pivot axis. First and second wheel end assemblies include first and second wheel end shafts, sprockets and housings. The first and second wheel end sprockets are mounted to the associated shafts and are aligned to engage the center sprocket with at least one chain which transfers rotation of the center sprocket about the pivot axis to rotate the first and second wheel end sprockets about the associated first and second wheel axes. The first and second wheel end housings support the first and second wheel end shafts for relative rotation about the associated first and second wheel axes.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2021Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Gordon E. Miller, Jackson Baca, Prashant Shinde
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Patent number: 11686374Abstract: A drive assembly for a work vehicle includes a housing arrangement, a drive shaft rotatable in first and second clock directions, and a two-stage planetary gear set coupled to the drive shaft. The gear set includes, or is coupled to, an output element. First and second clutch arrangements are configured to selectively engage the gear set to effect first and second gear ratios, respectively. A step ratio from the first gear ratio and the second gear ratio is 3:1. At least one first actuator and at least one second actuator are configured to effect movement of the first and second clutch arrangements, respectively, to selectively engage the gear set. The drive shaft and the output element rotate in a same clock direction with the first clutch arrangement engaged with the gear set, and in opposite clock directions with the second clutch arrangement engaged with the gear set.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2021Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Clayton G. Janasek, Lisa R. Lloyd
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Publication number: 20230131740Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2021Publication date: April 27, 2023Applicant: Deere & CompanyInventors: Michael J. CLIFF, Steven R. FLIEARMAN, Benjamin K. Dollins
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Publication number: 20230025749Abstract: A drive assembly for a work vehicle includes a housing arrangement, a drive shaft rotatable in first and second clock directions, and a two-stage planetary gear set coupled to the drive shaft. The gear set includes, or is coupled to, an output element. First and second clutch arrangements are configured to selectively engage the gear set to effect first and second gear ratios, respectively. A step ratio from the first gear ratio and the second gear ratio is 3:1. At least one first actuator and at least one second actuator are configured to effect movement of the first and second clutch arrangements, respectively, to selectively engage the gear set. The drive shaft and the output element rotate in a same clock direction with the first clutch arrangement engaged with the gear set, and in opposite clock directions with the second clutch arrangement engaged with the gear set.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2021Publication date: January 26, 2023Inventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Clayton G. Janasek, Lisa R. Lloyd
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Patent number: 11542961Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 25, 2021Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Michael J. Cliff, Steven R. Fliearman, Benjamin K. Dollins
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Publication number: 20220340005Abstract: A tandem wheel assembly for a work vehicle includes a tandem wheel housing, a center drive member rotatably disposed within the housing, first and second wheel end assemblies, a coupler between each wheel end drive member and the center drive member, and a brake assembly. Each wheel end assembly includes an input shaft, a wheel end drive member mounted thereon, a wheel end gear train coupled to the input shaft, an output shaft coupled to the wheel end gear train, and a wheel end hub coupled to the output shaft for supporting one of the wheels. The brake assembly is coupled to the tandem wheel housing and to the input shaft or the output shaft of at least one of the first wheel end assembly or the second wheel end assembly and reduces the amount of backlash.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2021Publication date: October 27, 2022Inventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Prashant Shinde, Galen R. Love
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Publication number: 20220267990Abstract: A drive assembly for a work vehicle has a drive housing, including a first housing element forming a reaction member, a drive shaft, a planetary gear set coupled to the drive shaft and configured to selectively rotate an output element. The planetary gear set has an input component, an output component and a reaction component. One or more input clutch arrangements at an input side of the drive assembly are configured to selectively interface with the planetary gear set to effect a rotation speed of the output element. A control clutch arrangement interfaces with the reaction member and the reaction component. The control clutch arrangement is configured to selectively couple and decouple the reaction member from the reaction component to damp a torque increase transmitted to the output element.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2021Publication date: August 25, 2022Inventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Clayton G. Janasek
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Patent number: 11415199Abstract: A bi-directional drive assembly for a work vehicle has a reaction member fixed with respect to or a part of a drive housing. A driveshaft is rotatable about a drive axis relative to the reaction member in a first rotation direction and alternatively in a second rotation direction. A planetary set is coupled to the drive shaft and configured to rotate an output hub in the first or second rotation direction. A clutch assembly is coupled to the reaction member and includes a first clutch and a second clutch. The first clutch is configured to interface the planetary set with the reaction member to effect a first rotation speed of the output hub in the first rotation direction and alternatively the second rotation direction. The second clutch is configured to interface the planetary set with the reaction member to effect a second rotation speed of the output hub in the first rotation direction and alternatively the second rotation direction.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2020Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Lisa R. Lloyd
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Patent number: 11376956Abstract: A tandem wheel assembly for a work vehicle includes a tandem wheel housing having a center opening extending along a pivot axis and wheel end openings extending along associated wheel end axes. The tandem wheel housing is pivotally mounted to a chassis of the work vehicle about the pivot axis. A center sprocket is rotatably disposed within the tandem wheel housing. Wheel end assemblies are disposed at the wheel end openings and each includes a wheel end sprocket, a wheel end gear train, and a wheel end hub. A pair of reaction bars are being pivotally coupled at first ends to the chassis and at second ends to a component of the respective wheel end assembly. A pivot dampening system is positioned, at least in part, axially between the tandem wheel housing and either the chassis or the component of at least one of the wheel end assemblies. The pivot dampening system is configured to dampen the pivoting of the tandem wheel housing tandem wheel housing relative to the chassis.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2020Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Prashant Shinde
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Patent number: 11359352Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 26, 2020Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Michael J. Cliff
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Patent number: 11326570Abstract: A combination starter-generator device includes a power transmission assembly with first and second planetary gear set stages. One or more of the planetary gear set stages includes an idler gear and a ring gear. A clutch arrangement is coupled to effect a delivery mode in which power flows in a first power flow direction and a generation mode in which power flows in a second power flow direction. In delivery mode, input power is received in the first rotational direction from the electric machine and output power is provided in the first rotational direction to the engine as the first power flow direction. In generation mode, one or more of the planetary gear set stages receives input power in the first rotational direction and outputs power in the first rotational direction to the electric machine as the second power flow direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2020Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Lisa R. Lloyd, Jeffrey S. Turner, Douglas S. Base
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Publication number: 20220136530Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2020Publication date: May 5, 2022Inventors: Michael J. Cliff, Steven R. Fliearman
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Publication number: 20220128023Abstract: A combination starter-generator device includes a power transmission assembly with first and second planetary gear set stages. One or more of the planetary gear set stages includes an idler gear and a ring gear. A clutch arrangement is coupled to effect a delivery mode in which power flows in a first power flow direction and a generation mode in which power flows in a second power flow direction. In delivery mode, input power is received in the first rotational direction from the electric machine and output power is provided in the first rotational direction to the engine as the first power flow direction. In generation mode, one or more of the planetary gear set stages receives input power in the first rotational direction and outputs power in the first rotational direction to the electric machine as the second power flow direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2020Publication date: April 28, 2022Inventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Lisa R. Lloyd, Jeffrey S. Turner, Douglas S. Base
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Publication number: 20220118848Abstract: A tandem wheel assembly for a work vehicle includes a tandem wheel housing having a center opening extending along a pivot axis and wheel end openings extending along associated wheel end axes. The tandem wheel housing is pivotally mounted to a chassis of the work vehicle about the pivot axis. A center sprocket is rotatably disposed within the tandem wheel housing. Wheel end assemblies are disposed at the wheel end openings and each includes a wheel end sprocket, a wheel end gear train, and a wheel end hub. A pair of reaction bars are being pivotally coupled at first ends to the chassis and at second ends to a component of the respective wheel end assembly. A pivot dampening system is positioned, at least in part, axially between the tandem wheel housing and either the chassis or the component of at least one of the wheel end assemblies. The pivot dampening system is configured to dampen the pivoting of the tandem wheel housing tandem wheel housing relative to the chassis.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2020Publication date: April 21, 2022Inventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Prashant Shinde