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).

  • Patent number: 10138729
    Abstract: A drive assembly includes a drive motor at least in part contained in a housing and having a rotor rotating an output shaft. A selector mechanism, at least in part contained in the housing, is movable into one of a plurality of orientations corresponding to one of a plurality of drive motor settings. An actuator, at least in part contained in the housing, is arranged to move the selector mechanism into one of the plurality of orientations. The actuator has first and second pistons each disposed in a piston chamber of the housing for movement by hydraulic pressure. The second piston is arranged in contact with the first piston and configured to aggregate and transfer forces from hydraulic movement of the first piston and the second piston to move the selector mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Jeffrey S. Turner, Darren J. Ziskovsky
  • Patent number: 10107363
    Abstract: A drive assembly receives rotational power from an input shaft rotatable about a rotation axis. The drive assembly includes a drive housing to which is mounted a wheel bearing support of a wheel mount that is configured to rotate about the rotation axis on a wheel bearing assembly. A planetary set is coupled between the input shaft and the wheel mount to selectably cause rotation of the wheel mount. The planetary set substantially fits within axial borders of the wheel bearing support and within an inner radial dimension of the wheel bearing support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Randall L. Long
  • Patent number: 10106010
    Abstract: A walking beam assembly includes a support beam and a mount member configured to mount the support beam on a vehicle chassis. Furthermore, the assembly includes a gear assembly that is supported proximate an end of the support beam. The gear assembly includes a gear train and a gear housing. The gear train is operably coupled to a wheel hub. The gear housing substantially encloses the gear train. Moreover, the walking beam assembly includes an input drive assembly with at least one movable part configured to deliver an input torque from the vehicle engine to the gear train. The input drive assembly includes an input drive housing that substantially encloses the at least one movable part. The input drive housing is attached to the gear housing such that an interior of the input drive housing is in fluid communication an interior of the gear housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Steven R. Fliearman
  • Publication number: 20180298993
    Abstract: 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 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: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Kyle K. McKinzie, Clayton G. Janasek, Alec B. Hendryx, Reginald M. Bindl
  • Patent number: 10041549
    Abstract: A disk pack cooling arrangement has a disk pack with alternating first and second plates in which one or more first plates are configured to couple to a first machine component and one or more second plates are configured to couple to a second machine component that is rotatable with respect to the first machine component. Each first plate is of a radial dimension less than each second plate so that one or more annular channels exist radially outward of each first plate. One or more annular springs are disposed in an associated annular channel. Each spring is configured to apply a separating force to at least one second plate and to form one or more flow channels for cooling fluid to reach each first plate from an associated annular channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Kyle K. McKinzie, Steven R. Fliearman, Douglas K. Brownell
  • Patent number: 10006498
    Abstract: A work vehicle drive assembly has a bimodal clutch module that includes a pressure plate, a module housing containing first and second cavities located on opposing sides of the pressure plate, and an actuator. The actuator is controllable to move the pressure plate along a working axis of the clutch module. A clutch member is installed in a selected one of the first and second cavities. The clutch member is (i) engaged by movement of the pressure plate along the working axis in a first direction when the clutch member is installed in the first cavity and (ii) disengaged by movement of the pressure plate along the working axis in the first direction when the clutch member is installed in the second cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Inventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Randall L. Long, William G. Detrick
  • Publication number: 20180112530
    Abstract: A drive assembly includes a drive motor at least in part contained in a housing and having a rotor rotating an output shaft. A selector mechanism, at least in part contained in the housing, is movable into one of a plurality of orientations corresponding to one of a plurality of drive motor settings. An actuator, at least in part contained in the housing, is arranged to move the selector mechanism into one of the plurality of orientations. The actuator has first and second pistons each disposed in a piston chamber of the housing for movement by hydraulic pressure. The second piston is arranged in contact with the first piston and configured to aggregate and transfer forces from hydraulic movement of the first piston and the second piston to move the selector mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Inventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Jeffrey S. Turner, Darren J. Ziskovsky
  • Publication number: 20180100564
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Inventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Christopher D. Turner, John N. Oenick, Tony J. Huegerich
  • Publication number: 20180065440
    Abstract: A walking beam assembly includes a support beam and a mount member configured to mount the support beam on a vehicle chassis. Furthermore, the assembly includes a gear assembly that is supported proximate an end of the support beam. The gear assembly includes a gear train and a gear housing. The gear train is operably coupled to a wheel hub. The gear housing substantially encloses the gear train. Moreover, the walking beam assembly includes an input drive assembly with at least one movable part configured to deliver an input torque from the vehicle engine to the gear train. The input drive assembly includes an input drive housing that substantially encloses the at least one movable part. The input drive housing is attached to the gear housing such that an interior of the input drive housing is in fluid communication an interior of the gear housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventor: STEVEN R. FLIEARMAN
  • Publication number: 20180065439
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventor: Steven R. Fliearman
  • Publication number: 20180031051
    Abstract: A disk pack cooling arrangement has a disk pack with alternating first and second plates in which one or more first plates are configured to couple to a first machine component and one or more second plates are configured to couple to a second machine component that is rotatable with respect to the first machine component. Each first plate is of a radial dimension less than each second plate so that one or more annular channels exist radially outward of each first plate. One or more annular springs are disposed in an associated annular channel. Each spring is configured to apply a separating force to at least one second plate and to form one or more flow channels for cooling fluid to reach each first plate from an associated annular channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Kyle K. McKinzie, Steven R. Fliearman, Douglas K. Brownell
  • Publication number: 20170313180
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Randall L. Long
  • Publication number: 20170219021
    Abstract: A work vehicle drive assembly has a bimodal clutch module that includes a pressure plate, a module housing containing first and second cavities located on opposing sides of the pressure plate, and an actuator. The actuator is controllable to move the pressure plate along a working axis of the clutch module. A clutch member is installed in a selected one of the first and second cavities. The clutch member is (i) engaged by movement of the pressure plate along the working axis in a first direction when the clutch member is installed in the first cavity and (ii) disengaged by movement of the pressure plate along the working axis in the first direction when the clutch member is installed in the second cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Randall L. Long, William G. Detrick
  • Publication number: 20170219052
    Abstract: A drive assembly receives rotational power from an input shaft rotatable about a rotation axis. The drive assembly includes a drive housing to which is mounted a wheel bearing support of a wheel mount that is configured to rotate about the rotation axis on a wheel bearing assembly. A planetary set is coupled between the input shaft and the wheel mount to selectably cause rotation of the wheel mount. The planetary set substantially fits within axial borders of the wheel bearing support and within an inner radial dimension of the wheel bearing support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Randall L. Long
  • Patent number: 9695847
    Abstract: A power train and related vehicle are described for storage and delivery of supplemental power. A power conversion device may receive power from an engine or other component of a vehicle and may provide power to an energy storage device. A supplemental power device may receive power from the energy storage device and provide power to a supplemental power coupling via a one-way power transfer device. The supplemental power coupling may provide the power from the supplemental power device, as received via the one-way power transfer device, to a crank shaft or other component of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Steven R. Fliearman
  • Patent number: 9638310
    Abstract: A drive assembly is disclosed, including a housing cylinder having a cap end and an attachment end including a first attachment surface, with gear teeth being disposed around an inner circumference forming at least one ring gear. The housing cylinder encloses a planetary gear set including at least one sun gear and at least one set of planet gears. An output interface includes an interface body having an annular attachment lip including a second attachment surface. The first attachment surface contacts, and is connected, as by welding, to the second attachment surface, whereby rotational power may be transmitted from the planetary gear set to the output interface via the gear teeth and the contact between the attachment surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Darren J. Ziskovsky, Steven R. Fliearman, Jeffrey S. Turner, Kyle K. McKinzie, Austin B. Stephens
  • Patent number: 9562603
    Abstract: A drive assembly is disclosed, including a housing cylinder with a cap end, an attachment end with a first attachment surface, and gear teeth disposed around an inner circumference to form at least one ring gear. A planetary gear set may be surrounded by the housing cylinder and includes at least one sun gear and at least one set of planet gears. An output interface may include an interface body and an annular attachment lip with a second attachment surface. The housing cylinder may be attached to the attachment lip for operation of the drive assembly via the second attachment surface contacting the first attachment surface, with the cap end of the housing cylinder extending axially past an axial end of the attachment lip. Rotational power may be transmitted from the planetary gear set to the output interface via the gear teeth and the contact between the attachment surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Darren J. Ziskovsky, Steven R. Fliearman, Kyle K. McKinzie, Jeffrey S. Turner
  • Publication number: 20160377162
    Abstract: A drive assembly is disclosed, including a housing cylinder with a cap end, an attachment end with a first attachment surface, and gear teeth disposed around an inner circumference to form at least one ring gear. A planetary gear set may be surrounded by the housing cylinder and includes at least one sun gear and at least one set of planet gears. An output interface may include an interface body and an annular attachment lip with a second attachment surface. The housing cylinder may be attached to the attachment lip for operation of the drive assembly via the second attachment surface contacting the first attachment surface, with the cap end of the housing cylinder extending axially past an axial end of the attachment lip. Rotational power may be transmitted from the planetary gear set to the output interface via the gear teeth and the contact between the attachment surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Darren J. Ziskovsky, Steven R. Fliearman, Kyle K. McKinzie, Jeffrey S. Turner
  • Publication number: 20160377163
    Abstract: A drive assembly is disclosed, including a housing cylinder having a cap end and an attachment end including a first attachment surface, with gear teeth being disposed around an inner circumference forming at least one ring gear. The housing cylinder encloses a planetary gear set including at least one sun gear and at least one set of planet gears. An output interface includes an interface body having an annular attachment lip including a second attachment surface. The first attachment surface contacts, and is connected, as by welding, to the second attachment surface, whereby rotational power may be transmitted from the planetary gear set to the output interface via the gear teeth and the contact between the attachment surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: DARREN J. ZISKOVSKY, STEVEN R. FLIEARMAN, JEFFREY S. TURNER, KYLE K. MCKINZIE, AUSTIN B. STEPHENS
  • Publication number: 20160290372
    Abstract: A fluid circulation system configured to circulate a fluid from a fluid tank to a machine and back to the fluid tank. The fluid circulation system includes a first fluid pumping device having a pump inlet and a pump outlet. The inlet is in communication with the fluid tank. The system also includes a housing for at least partially containing the machine. The housing is in communication with the pump outlet. Additionally, a return conduit is positioned to permit fluid flow from the housing to the fluid tank. The system further includes an air introduction device configured to induce air into the fluid. The fluid circulation system is free of a second fluid pumping device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventor: Steven R. Fliearman