Patents by Inventor Steven R. Whiteman

Steven R. Whiteman 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: 11099088
    Abstract: A torque sensor assembly is used with a driveline component. The torque sensor assembly includes a holder, a sleeve, and at least one strain sensor. The holder includes a side wall that has a holder outer surface and a holder inner surface. The holder outer surface is corresponding to and attached to an aperture of the driveline component. The sleeve is corresponding to and attached to the holder inner surface. The strain sensor is attached to the sleeve and used to sense a strain in the driveline component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Steven R. Whiteman, Jonathan D. Forster, Dean H. Lehrke, Stacy K. Worley
  • Publication number: 20210190190
    Abstract: A torque sensing assembly of a differential of an axle assembly is shown in the present disclosure. The differential may include a differential housing portion, a drive pinion positioned within the differential housing portion, a ring gear, a carrier, a differential pinion, a first side gear, a second side gear, a first bearing, a first bearing support, and the torque sensing assembly. The first bearing is coupled to the differential housing portion and rotatable with the carrier. The first bearing support is coupled to the differential housing portion and used to support the first bearing. The torque sensing assembly is coupled to the first bearing support and operable to measure a strain thereof resulted from a separation force created between the drive pinion and ring gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: STEVEN R. WHITEMAN, DEAN H. LEHRKE
  • Patent number: 11008936
    Abstract: A rotational drive unit having an input rotatable about a first axis of rotation and configured to be driven by a power source in a single rotational direction. The rotational drive unit including a first shaft in operable communication with the input and configured to rotate in a first direction, a second shaft in operable communication with the input and configured to rotate in a second direction opposite the first direction, an output rotatable about a second axis of rotation, and a clutch assembly in operable communication with the first shaft, the second shaft, and the output. Where the clutch assembly is operable in a first configuration in which force is transmitted between the first shaft and the output, and a second configuration in which force is transmitted between the second shaft and the output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Steven R. Whiteman, Alfred S. Smemo, Reginald M. Bindl, Donald A. Fuller, Andrew J. Kindle
  • Publication number: 20210140514
    Abstract: A circle drive for rotating a blade on a draft frame of a motor grader includes a circle gear mounting the blade, a worm wheel, a torque dividing arrangement, and a single input provided on a first shaft. The torque dividing arrangement includes a set of shafts positioned about the worm wheel, a torque dividing gear set, and a set of worm gears meshed with the worm wheel. The worm wheel is operatively coupled to drive the circle gear. The set of worm gears includes a first worm gear on a first shaft and a second worm gear on a second shaft. The single input is configured to provide a driving torque that drives the set of worm gears such that the set of worm gears divides the driving torque. The driving torque is capable of driving the worm wheel for driving the circle gear and rotating the blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventors: Alfred S. Smemo, Steven R. Whiteman
  • Patent number: 10919587
    Abstract: A suspension system supports a chassis relative to a crawler mechanism including a continuous track. A link is rotatable about an axis extending transversely through a first portion. The first portion includes a projections extending radially inwardly, and peripheral openings defined by spaces between the projections. An axle member secured to the crawler mechanism includes peripheral shafts extending radially outward from the axis and positioned in an associated peripheral opening. Each resilient member is positioned within an associated peripheral opening and engages an associated peripheral shaft, damping movement of the peripheral shaft relative to the link. An auxiliary roller assembly includes a yoke and a plurality of auxiliary rollers coupled to the yoke. The yoke is rotatable relative to the crawler frame about a yoke axis. The auxiliary rollers are aligned along a direction of travel of the track and are configured to engage an inner surface of the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Galen C. Thomas, Steven R. Whiteman, Trent A. Luoma
  • Patent number: 10894536
    Abstract: A fluid control system that has a fluid assembly with a piston defined within a chamber, an electrical system having a motor configured to selectively reposition the piston, a controller in communication with the electrical system, and a sensor in communication with the controller to identify a fluid pressure value. Wherein, the controller identifies a desired fluid pressure range and selectively repositions the piston with the motor until the fluid pressure value is within the desired fluid pressure range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Reginald M. Bindl, Andrew J. Kindle, Jeffrey A. Bauer, Sean P. West, Francois Stander, Steven R. Whiteman
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20200200626
    Abstract: A torque sensor assembly is used with a driveline component. The torque sensor assembly includes a holder, a sleeve, and at least one strain sensor. The holder includes a side wall that has a holder outer surface and a holder inner surface. The holder outer surface is corresponding to and attached to an aperture of the driveline component. The sleeve is corresponding to and attached to the holder inner surface. The strain sensor is attached to the sleeve and used to sense a strain in the driveline component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventors: STEVEN R. WHITEMAN, JONATHAN D. FORSTER, DEAN H. LEHRKE, STACY K. WORLEY
  • Publication number: 20190359194
    Abstract: A fluid control system that has a fluid assembly with a piston defined within a chamber, an electrical system having a motor configured to selectively reposition the piston, a controller in communication with the electrical system, and a sensor in communication with the controller to identify a fluid pressure value. Wherein, the controller identifies a desired fluid pressure range and selectively repositions the piston with the motor until the fluid pressure value is within the desired fluid pressure range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Reginald M. Bindl, Andrew J. Kindle, Jeffrey A. Bauer, Sean P. West, Francois Stander, Steven R. Whiteman
  • Publication number: 20190283817
    Abstract: A suspension system supports a chassis relative to a crawler mechanism including a continuous track. A link is rotatable about an axis extending transversely through a first portion. The first portion includes a projections extending radially inwardly, and peripheral openings defined by spaces between the projections. An axle member secured to the crawler mechanism includes peripheral shafts extending radially outward from the axis and positioned in an associated peripheral opening. Each resilient member is positioned within an associated peripheral opening and engages an associated peripheral shaft, damping movement of the peripheral shaft relative to the link. An auxiliary roller assembly includes a yoke and a plurality of auxiliary rollers coupled to the yoke. The yoke is rotatable relative to the crawler frame about a yoke axis. The auxiliary rollers are aligned along a direction of travel of the track and are configured to engage an inner surface of the track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: Galen C. Thomas, Steven R. Whiteman, Trent A. Luoma
  • Patent number: 10370048
    Abstract: A suspension system supports a chassis relative to a crawler mechanism that includes a continuous track. A link is rotatable about an axis extending transversely through a first portion. The first portion includes a projections extending radially inwardly, and peripheral openings defined by spaces between the projections. An axle member secured to the crawler mechanism includes peripheral shafts extending radially outward from the axis and positioned in an associated peripheral opening. Each resilient member is positioned within an associated peripheral opening and engages an associated peripheral shaft, damping movement of the peripheral shaft relative to the link. The suspension system further includes an auxiliary roller assembly including a yoke and a plurality of auxiliary rollers coupled to the yoke. The yoke is rotatable relative to the crawler frame about a yoke axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Galen C. Thomas, Steven R. Whiteman, Trent A. Luoma
  • Publication number: 20190128180
    Abstract: A rotational drive unit having an input rotatable about a first axis of rotation and configured to be driven by a power source in a single rotational direction. The rotational drive unit including a first shaft in operable communication with the input and configured to rotate in a first direction, a second shaft in operable communication with the input and configured to rotate in a second direction opposite the first direction, an output rotatable about a second axis of rotation, and a clutch assembly in operable communication with the first shaft, the second shaft, and the output. Where the clutch assembly is operable in a first configuration in which force is transmitted between the first shaft and the output, and a second configuration in which force is transmitted between the second shaft and the output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Steven R. Whiteman, Alfred S. Smemo, Reginald M. Bindl, Donald A. Fuller, Andrew J. Kindle
  • Publication number: 20180251171
    Abstract: A suspension system supports a chassis relative to a crawler mechanism that includes a continuous track. A link is rotatable about an axis extending transversely through a first portion. The first portion includes a projections extending radially inwardly, and peripheral openings defined by spaces between the projections. An axle member secured to the crawler mechanism includes peripheral shafts extending radially outward from the axis and positioned in an associated peripheral opening. Each resilient member is positioned within an associated peripheral opening and engages an associated peripheral shaft, damping movement of the peripheral shaft relative to the link. The suspension system further includes an auxiliary roller assembly including a yoke and a plurality of auxiliary rollers coupled to the yoke. The yoke is rotatable relative to the crawler frame about a yoke axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventors: Galen C. Thomas, Steven R. Whiteman, Trent A. Luoma
  • Patent number: 9694861
    Abstract: A suspension assembly of a work machine being movable in a forward direction. The work machine includes a frame, an undercarriage supporting the frame and at least one ground-engaging track. The suspension assembly includes a torsion assembly having an axle, a torsion bar adapted to be fixedly coupled to the frame, and an axle arm coupled at one end to the axle and at an opposite end thereof to the torsion bar. A locking arm has a first end and a second end, where the first end is coupled to the axle arm. A hydraulic actuator is coupled to the second end of the locking arm. The hydraulic actuator is operably controlled between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. In the unlocked configuration, the axle arm is pivotable relative to the frame, and in the locked configuration the axle arm is restricted from pivoting relative to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Galen C. Thomas, Steven R. Whiteman, Steve G. Fleischmann, Justin C. Gross, James Wentzloff
  • Publication number: 20170101143
    Abstract: A suspension assembly of a work machine being movable in a forward direction. The work machine includes a frame, an undercarriage supporting the frame and at least one ground-engaging track. The suspension assembly includes a torsion assembly having an axle, a torsion bar adapted to be fixedly coupled to the frame, and an axle arm coupled at one end to the axle and at an opposite end thereof to the torsion bar. A locking arm has a first end and a second end, where the first end is coupled to the axle arm. A hydraulic actuator is coupled to the second end of the locking arm. The hydraulic actuator is operably controlled between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. In the unlocked configuration, the axle arm is pivotable relative to the frame, and in the locked configuration the axle arm is restricted from pivoting relative to the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventors: Galen C. THOMAS, Steven R. Whiteman, Steve G. Fleischmann, Justin C. Gross, James Wentzloff