Patents by Inventor Steven R. Sass

Steven R. Sass 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: 11592221
    Abstract: A two-phase cooling system of an electric work vehicle includes a compressor, a condenser, a thermal expansion valve, a heat exchanger, and an evaporator. The compressor compresses a refrigerant to increase the refrigerant pressure. The condenser is downstream of the compressor and discharges heat from the refrigerant flowing from the compressor to condense at least a portion of the refrigerant. The thermal expansion valve is downstream of the condenser and decreases the pressure of the refrigerant to vaporize the refrigerant to decrease the temperature of the refrigerant. The heat exchanger is coupled to an electrical component and is used to transfer heat from the electrical component to the refrigerant from the electrical component. The refrigerant then flows through the evaporator, where it absorbs more heat. The refrigerant passes back through the thermal expansion valve on its return to the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Zakir H. Faruquee, Steven R. Whiteman, Steven R. Sass, Brian D. Spangler, Colton K. Leal
  • Patent number: 11565210
    Abstract: A method of removing debris from a screen cover has a first mode of operation which includes: activating first and second fans to move first and second portions of air through screen cover and into a plenum, and moving the first and second portions of air from the plenum into a heat exchanger. A second mode of operation includes: deactivating the first fan for a first time period, activating the second fan for the first time period to move a third portion of air into the plenum, moving a first part of the third portion of air from the plenum into the heat exchanger during the first time period, and moving a second part of the third portion of air from the plenum through the screen cover during the first time period such that the second part of the third portion of air removes debris from the screen cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Thomas L. Kennedy, Steven R. Sass, Sean P. West, Aaron J. Whalen
  • Publication number: 20220196300
    Abstract: A two-phase cooling system of an electric work vehicle includes a compressor, a condenser, a thermal expansion valve, a heat exchanger, and an evaporator. The compressor compresses a refrigerant in vapor form to increase the refrigerant pressure. The condenser is downstream of the compressor and discharges heat from the refrigerant flowing from the compressor to condense at least a portion of the refrigerant. The thermal expansion valve is downstream of the condenser and decreases the pressure of the refrigerant to vaporize the refrigerant from liquid form to vapor form to decrease the temperature of the refrigerant. The heat exchanger is coupled to an electrical component and is used to transfer heat from the electrical component to the refrigerant from the electrical component. The refrigerant then flows through the evaporator, where it absorbs more heat. The refrigerant than passes back through the thermal expansion valve on its return to the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: ZAKIR H. FARUQUEE, STEVEN R. WHITEMAN, STEVEN R. SASS, BRIAN D. SPANGLER, COLTON K. LEAL
  • Patent number: 11359536
    Abstract: A control system for controlling a work machine includes an engine for producing power to propel the work machine during a normal operating mode, a cooling system for cooling at least the engine during the normal operating mode, and a controller for controlling the cleaning system during the normal operating mode and a clean operating mode. During the normal operating mode, the engine is running and the controller operably controls a cooling fan of the cooling system to rotate in a first rotational direction to produce a first air flow in a first direction. During the clean operating mode, the engine is not running and the controller operably controls the cooling fan to rotate in a second rotational direction to produce a second air flow in a second direction. The first rotational direction is opposite the second rotational direction, and the first direction is opposite the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Sean P West, Steven R Sass, James A Schwalb, Paul A Wantschik, Daniel L Lucas, Jason G Knipper, Jeffrey Flippin, Jacob Henderson
  • Patent number: 11073074
    Abstract: A work vehicle includes an engine, a compressor used to compress an air toward the engine, a charge air cooler, a sensor, and a control unit. The charge air cooler comprising or coupled to a fan. The fan can rotate in a first direction to remove a heat of the air and to rotate in a second direction reverse to the first direction so as to blow a debris. The control unit is electrically coupled to the engine and to the fan. The control unit predicts whether a temperature of the air exceeds a threshold based on a signal received from the sensor. When the temperature of the air is below the threshold, the fan can rotate in the second direction. When the temperature of the air is equal to or above the threshold, the fan is inhibited from rotating in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas L. Kennedy, Steven R. Sass, Mark Ritter
  • Publication number: 20210131335
    Abstract: A control system for controlling a work machine includes an engine for producing power to propel the work machine during a normal operating mode, a cooling system for cooling at least the engine during the normal operating mode, and a controller for controlling the cleaning system during the normal operating mode and a clean operating mode. During the normal operating mode, the engine is running and the controller operably controls a cooling fan of the cooling system to rotate in a first rotational direction to produce a first air flow in a first direction. During the clean operating mode, the engine is not running and the controller operably controls the cooling fan to rotate in a second rotational direction to produce a second air flow in a second direction. The first rotational direction is opposite the second rotational direction, and the first direction is opposite the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Sean P. West, Steven R. Sass, James A. Schwalb, Paul A. Wantschik, Daniel L. Lucas, Jason G. Knipper, Jeffrey Flippin, Jacob Henderson
  • Publication number: 20200309467
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a two phase oil cooling system for a work vehicle. The system includes a condenser, an evaporator, a refrigerant path, and a pump. The condenser cools a refrigerant from vapor form to liquid form. The evaporator exchanges heat between a first fluid of the work vehicle and the refrigerant, and heats the refrigerant from liquid form to vapor form. The refrigerant path comprises a first refrigerant path thermally coupling the condenser to the evaporator and a second refrigerant path thermally coupling the evaporator to the condenser. The refrigerant flows through the refrigerant path. The pump is positioned in the first refrigerant path for pumping the refrigerant from the condenser to the evaporator, such that the evaporator is downstream of the pump and the condenser is downstream of the evaporator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: STEVEN R. WHITEMAN, REGINALD M. BINDL, STEVEN R. SASS, ZAKIR H. FARUQUEE, ERIC R. ANDERSON
  • Patent number: 10450939
    Abstract: A multiplane fan cooling system and method is disclosed for a cooling system with first, second and intake planes; a first fan and heat exchanger on the first plane, a second fan and heat exchanger on the second plane, and a shared air cavity bounded at least partially by these three planes. Each fan pulls air into the shared air cavity through the intake plane and across its associated heat exchanger. The first fan cools the first heat exchanger, and counteracts the second fan from drawing air into the shared air cavity through the first heat exchanger. The second fan cools the second heat exchanger. The second fan can be activated to counteract the first fan from drawing air into the shared air cavity through the second heat exchanger. All the air in the shared air cavity can be available to each of the fans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Sean P. West, Steven R. Sass
  • Publication number: 20190126184
    Abstract: A method of removing debris from a screen cover has a first mode of operation which includes: activating first and second fans to move first and second portions of air through screen cover and into a plenum, and moving the first and second portions of air from the plenum into a heat exchanger. A second mode of operation includes: deactivating the first fan for a first time period, activating the second fan for the first time period to move a third portion of air into the plenum, moving a first part of the third portion of air from the plenum into the heat exchanger during the first time period, and moving a second part of the third portion of air from the plenum through the screen cover during the first time period such that the second part of the third portion of air removes debris from the screen cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas L. Kennedy, Steven R. Sass, Sean P. West, Aaron J. Whalen
  • Publication number: 20170314453
    Abstract: A multiplane fan cooling system and method is disclosed for a cooling system with first, second and intake planes; a first fan and heat exchanger on the first plane, a second fan and heat exchanger on the second plane, and a shared air cavity bounded at least partially by these three planes. Each fan pulls air into the shared air cavity through the intake plane and across its associated heat exchanger. The first fan cools the first heat exchanger, and counteracts the second fan from drawing air into the shared air cavity through the first heat exchanger. The second fan cools the second heat exchanger. The second fan can be activated to counteract the first fan from drawing air into the shared air cavity through the second heat exchanger. All the air in the shared air cavity can be available to each of the fans.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Sean P. West, Steven R. Sass
  • Patent number: 9404464
    Abstract: A controlled engine shutdown method is disclosed that includes monitoring exhaust system temperature, monitoring operator shutdown commands, and delaying engine shutdown based on exhaust system temperature. The method can include inhibiting any process that affects exhaust temperatures, for example DPF regeneration. The method can use a shutdown timer, allow operator override of the shutdown delay, and display a delay notification message. The method can also include predicting when an engine shutdown is expected, and delaying or aborting any process that would affect exhaust temperatures when an engine shutdown is predicted. Predicting can include monitoring various machine states, determining an average activity interval for the machine, determining a geographic shutdown area, determining a shutdown time of day and/or monitoring a machine fluid level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Mark E. Hull, Steven R. Sass, John C. Lauper, Anthony K. Kraft, Thomas L. Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20150075490
    Abstract: A controlled engine shutdown method is disclosed that includes monitoring exhaust system temperature, monitoring operator shutdown commands, and delaying engine shutdown based on exhaust system temperature. The method can include inhibiting any process that affects exhaust temperatures, for example DPF regeneration. The method can use a shutdown timer, allow operator override of the shutdown delay, and display a delay notification message. The method can also include predicting when an engine shutdown is expected, and delaying or aborting any process that would affect exhaust temperatures when an engine shutdown is predicted. Predicting can include monitoring various machine states, determining an average activity interval for the machine, determining a geographic shutdown area, determining a shutdown time of day and/or monitoring a machine fluid level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Mark E. Hull, Steven R. Sass, John C. Lauper, Anthony K. Kraft, Thomas L. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 8403089
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to ventilate an engine compartment of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Kevin G. Braun, Steven R. Sass, Andrew J. Quinn
  • Publication number: 20110277961
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cooling system for a work vehicle. The cooling system includes a frame and a fan which is mounted in a door which pivotally coupled to the frame. A front engine radiator extends between the left and right sides of the frame. A left side oil cooler extends between the fan and the radiator. A right side hydraulic oil cooler extends between the fan and the radiator. A hydraulic reservoir is spaced apart from the front heat exchanger. A non-fixed fuel cooler is mounted between the radiator and the hydraulic reservoir. The non-fixed fuel cooler is pivotal about a first vertical pivot axis. A non-fixed AC condenser cooler is mounted between the radiator and the hydraulic reservoir. The non-fixed AC condenser cooler is pivotal about a second vertical pivot axis. The hydraulic reservoir has angled walls to accommodate pivoting of the non-fixed coolers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: Anthony J. Knepper, Steven R. Sass
  • Publication number: 20100155013
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to ventilate an engine compartment of a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Kevin G. Braun, Steven R. Sass, Andrew J. Quinn