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: 10920733Abstract: A combination starter-generator device includes an electric machine and a gear set configured to receive rotational input from the electric machine and from the engine and to couple the electric machine and the engine in a first power flow direction and a second power flow direction. The gear set is configured to operate in one of multiple gear ratios in the first power flow direction and at least one gear ratio in the second power flow direction. The starter-generator device further includes a clutch arrangement with at least one active clutch selectively coupled to the gear set to effect the gear ratios in the first power flow direction and in the second power flow direction. The clutch arrangement further includes at least one drag clutch to apply a drag force on the gear set to slow the electric machine.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2019Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Lisa R. Lloyd, Jeffrey S. Turner
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Patent number: 10920730Abstract: A combination starter-generator device is provided for a work vehicle having an engine. The starter-generator device includes an electric machine; a gear set configured to receive rotational input from the electric machine and from the engine and to couple the electric machine and the engine in a first power flow direction and a second power flow direction. The gear set is configured to operate in one of at least a first gear ratio, a second gear ratio, or a third gear ratio in the first power flow direction and at least a fourth gear ratio in the second power flow direction. The starter-generator device further includes a dog clutch arrangement selectively coupled to the gear set to effect the first, second, and third gear ratios in the first power flow direction and the fourth gear ratio in the second power flow direction.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2019Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Lisa R. Lloyd
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Patent number: 10900454Abstract: A starter-generator device for a work vehicle having an engine. The device includes a gear set for transmitting power, first and second clutches having actuation pins and shiftable relative to the gear set, first and second actuator devices moving armatures only in a first direction, and first and second linkages having a coupling region coupled to the respective armature and a second end coupled to the actuation pin. The first actuator device moves the coupling region and second end of the first linkage in the first direction. The second actuator device moves the coupling region of the second linkage in the first direction and the second end in an opposite second direction. The clutches shift into engaged or disengaged positions by the second end of the respective linkage moving one of the directions, and shift into the other engaged or disengaged position by the second end moving the other direction.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2020Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Lisa R. Lloyd
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Publication number: 20210018051Abstract: A clutch assembly includes a housing, a rotational member configured to rotate relative to the housing about an axis, and a clutch pack coupled between the housing and the rotational member. The clutch pack is configured to regulate movement of the rotational member relative to the housing. The clutch pack includes a speed sensor ring coupled to the rotational member such that the speed sensor ring is configured to rotate with the rotational member about the axis. The clutch assembly includes a sensor in communication with the speed sensor ring. The sensor is configured to measure an angular velocity of the rotational member relative to the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2019Publication date: January 21, 2021Inventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Jeffrey S. Turner, Austin B. Stephens, Kevin M. Allen, Jacob E. Morris
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Publication number: 20200400226Abstract: A limited oil displacement system is positioned within a tandem housing of a tandem of a work vehicle. The tandem includes a tandem oil where a chain assembly is at least partially submerged. The limited oil displacement system may include one or more oil displacement unit used for displacing the tandem oil. The oil displacement unit has an upper portion and a lower portion coupled to and positioned under the upper portion. A volume of the upper portion is larger than a volume of the lower portion such that when the tandem of the work vehicle pivots about a lateral axis, the oil displacement unit displaces the tandem oil more than when the tandem of the work vehicle remains horizontally.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2019Publication date: December 24, 2020Inventors: Prashant Shinde, Steven R. Fliearman, Isaiah Janzen
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Patent number: 10821820Abstract: A power control system is provided for a work vehicle with an engine. A combination starter-generator device has an electric machine and a gear set configured to receive rotational input from the electric machine and the engine and to couple the electric machine and the engine in two power flow directions. The gear set operates in one of multiple relatively high-torque, low-speed start gear ratios in one direction, including a first start gear ratio corresponding to a cold engine start mode and a second start gear ratio corresponding to a warm engine start mode, and in a relatively low-torque, high-speed gear ratio in another direction corresponding to a generation mode. First and second clutch assemblies are selectively coupled to the gear set to effect the start gear ratios during the engine start modes. A control valve is fluidly coupled to selectively apply a fluid pressure to the clutch assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2019Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Douglas S. Base
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Publication number: 20200332866Abstract: A combination starter-generator device is provided for a work vehicle having an engine. The starter-generator device includes an electric machine; a gear set configured to couple the electric machine and the engine in first and second power flow directions, the gear set configured to operate in one of at least first, second, and third gear ratios in the first power flow direction and at least a fourth gear ratio in the second power flow direction; at least one clutch selectively coupled to the gear set to effect the first, second, and third gear ratios in the first power flow direction and the fourth gear ratio in the second power flow direction; and an actuator assembly including at least one electromagnet configured to selectively shift the at least one clutch between disengaged and engaged positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2019Publication date: October 22, 2020Inventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Lisa R. Lloyd, Stacy K. Worley, Austin B. Stephens, Jacob E. Morris
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Publication number: 20200332756Abstract: A combination starter-generator device is provided for a work vehicle having an engine. The starter-generator device includes an electric machine; and a gear set configured to receive rotational input from the electric machine and from the engine and to couple the electric machine and the engine in a first power flow direction and a second power flow direction. The gear set is configured to operate in one of multiple relatively high-torque, low-speed start gear ratios in the first power flow direction and a relatively low-torque, high-speed gear ratio in the second power flow direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2019Publication date: October 22, 2020Inventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Lisa R. Lloyd, Jeffrey S. Turner
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Publication number: 20200331337Abstract: A combination starter-generator device is provided for a work vehicle having an engine. The starter-generator device includes an electric machine and a gear set configured to receive rotational input from the electric machine and from the engine and to couple the electric machine and the engine in a first power flow direction and a second power flow direction. The gear set is configured to operate a first, second, or third gear ratio in the first power flow direction and a fourth gear ratio in the second power flow direction. At least one clutch is selectively coupled to the gear set to effect the first, second, and third gear ratios in the first power flow direction and the fourth gear ratio in the second power flow direction. A magnetic cam assembly is configured to shift the at least one clutch from a disengaged position into an engaged position.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2019Publication date: October 22, 2020Inventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Lisa R. Lloyd
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Publication number: 20200331338Abstract: A power control system is provided for a work vehicle with an engine. A combination starter-generator device has an electric machine and a gear set configured to receive rotational input from the electric machine and the engine and to couple the electric machine and the engine in two power flow directions. The gear set operates in one of multiple relatively high-torque, low-speed start gear ratios in one direction, including a first start gear ratio corresponding to a cold engine start mode and a second start gear ratio corresponding to a warm engine start mode, and in a relatively low-torque, high-speed gear ratio in another direction corresponding to a generation mode. First and second clutch assemblies are selectively coupled to the gear set to effect the start gear ratios during the engine start modes. A control valve is fluidly coupled to selectively apply a fluid pressure to the clutch assemblies.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2019Publication date: October 22, 2020Inventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Douglas S. Base
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Publication number: 20200332865Abstract: A combination starter-generator device includes an electric machine and a gear set configured to couple the electric machine and the engine in first and second power flow directions. The gear set is configured to operate in one of at least a first mode, a second mode, or a third mode in the first power flow direction and at least a fourth mode in the second power flow direction. The starter-generator device includes a clutch arrangement with at least one clutch selectively coupled to the gear set to effect the first, second, and third mode in the first power flow direction and the fourth mode in the second power flow direction; and a cam plate configured to shift the at least one clutch between a disengaged position and an engaged position relative to the gear set.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2019Publication date: October 22, 2020Inventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Lisa R. Lloyd
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Publication number: 20200332757Abstract: A combination starter-generator device includes an electric machine and a gear set configured to receive rotational input from the electric machine and from the engine and to couple the electric machine and the engine in a first power flow direction and a second power flow direction. The gear set is configured to operate in one of multiple gear ratios in the first power flow direction and at least one gear ratio in the second power flow direction. The starter-generator device further includes a clutch arrangement with at least one active clutch selectively coupled to the gear set to effect the gear ratios in the first power flow direction and in the second power flow direction. The clutch arrangement further includes at least one drag clutch to apply a drag force on the gear set to slow the electric machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2019Publication date: October 22, 2020Inventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Lisa R. Lloyd, Jeffrey S. Turner
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Publication number: 20200332754Abstract: A combination starter-generator device is provided for a work vehicle having an engine. The starter-generator device includes an electric machine; a gear set configured to receive rotational input from the electric machine and from the engine and to couple the electric machine and the engine in a first power flow direction and a second power flow direction. The gear set is configured to operate in one of at least a first gear ratio, a second gear ratio, or a third gear ratio in the first power flow direction and at least a fourth gear ratio in the second power flow direction. The starter-generator device further includes a dog clutch arrangement selectively coupled to the gear set to effect the first, second, and third gear ratios in the first power flow direction and the fourth gear ratio in the second power flow direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2019Publication date: October 22, 2020Inventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Lisa R. Lloyd
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Publication number: 20200332868Abstract: A combination starter-generator device is provided for a work vehicle having an engine. The starter-generator device includes an electric machine and a gear set configured to receive rotational input from the electric machine and engine. The gear set is configured to operate in one of at least a first, second, or third gear ratio in a first power flow direction and at least a fourth gear ratio in a second power flow direction. The starter-generator device further includes at least one clutch selectively coupled to the gear set to effect the gear ratios and an actuation assembly including at least one electromechanical solenoid device configured to selectively shift the at least one clutch from a disengaged position in which the at least one clutch is decoupled from the gear set into an engaged position in which the at least one clutch is coupled to the gear set.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2019Publication date: October 22, 2020Inventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Lisa R. Lloyd
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Publication number: 20200332867Abstract: A combination starter-generator device is provided for a work vehicle having an engine. The starter-generator device includes an electric machine and a gear set configured to receive rotational input from the electric machine and the engine. The gear set includes a ring gear formed by a cylindrical base with a perimeter surface facing the engine and a circumferential row of castellations extending in a radial direction from the perimeter surface. The starter-generator device further includes a mounting arrangement comprising a drive plate configured to be secured to a crank shaft of the engine and a flex plate mounted to the drive plate. The flex plate includes a row of engagement apertures configured to receive the castellations of the ring gear to rotationally couple the ring gear to the engine via the mounting arrangement.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2019Publication date: October 22, 2020Inventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Lisa R. Lloyd
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Publication number: 20200332864Abstract: A combination starter-generator device for a work vehicle includes an electric machine and a bi-directional gear set. The gear set is configured to receive rotational input from the electric machine and from the engine and to couple the electric machine and the engine in a first power flow direction and a second power flow direction. In the first power flow direction the gear set effects a first gear ratio, and in the second power flow direction the gear set effects a second gear ratio. In the first power flow direction, the gear set receives input power from the electric machine in a first clock direction and outputs power to the engine in a second clock direction opposite the first clock direction. In the second power flow direction, input power from the engine is in the second clock direction and output power to the electric machine is in the second clock direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2019Publication date: October 22, 2020Inventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Douglas S. Base, Lisa R. Lloyd
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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: 10591025Abstract: A combination engine starter and electric power generator device for a work vehicle has an electric machine and a gear set mounted to the electric machine. The gear set is configured to receive rotational input from the electric machine and from the work vehicle engine. The gear set mechanically couples the electric machine and the engine in first and second power flow directions in which in the first power flow direction the gear set effects a first gear ratio and in the second power flow direction the gear set effects a second gear ratio.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2017Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Christopher D. Turner, John N. Oenick, Tony J. Huegerich
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Patent number: 10434836Abstract: A vehicle walking beam assembly includes a support beam and a mount member configured to rotatably mount the support beam on the chassis. A gear assembly with a gear train and a gear housing is supported by the support beam. The gear train includes a gear with a first journal surface, and the housing includes a second journal surface. The walking beam assembly additionally includes an input drive assembly that delivers input torque from the engine to the gear train. Moreover, the walking beam assembly includes a reaction member connected to one of the gear housing and the gear of the gear train. The reaction member is configured to transfer a reaction force between the chassis and the one of the gear housing and the gear of the gear train as the first journal surface journals on the second journal surface.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2016Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventor: Steven R. Fliearman
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Patent number: 10214101Abstract: A drive assembly has a drive housing with a gear set and a wheel mount configured to rotate about a rotation axis on a wheel bearing assembly. A clutch component is mounted to a clutch hub and disposed between an input shaft and the gear set to selectively cause rotation of the wheel mount. A clutch actuation assembly moves the clutch component into energized and de-energized states with respect to the input shaft. The clutch actuation assembly has a spring to position the clutch component in one of the energized and de-energized states and a piston to position the clutch component in the other of the energized and de-energized states. The clutch actuation assembly has a reaction plate that is acted upon in a first axial direction by the spring and is acted upon by the piston in a second axial direction.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2016Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Randall L. Long