Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Porter

Thomas A. Porter 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: 10745886
    Abstract: A work vehicle includes a torque converter having a lock up clutch and a controller that conditionally allows operation of the lock up clutch in a locked position or an unlocked position. The controller determines a plurality of active work vehicle parameters during operation of the work vehicle and includes a plurality of ready to dig parameters. The controller determines a ready to dig condition or a non-digging condition of the work vehicle by comparing at least two of the active work vehicle parameters to at least two corresponding ready to dig parameters. The controller disallows operation of the lock up clutch in the locked position in response to the ready to dig condition, allows operation of the lock up clutch in locked or unlocked positions in response to a non-digging condition. Operation of the lock up clutch avoids the engine from stalling in a ready to dig condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Megan L. Pence, Kevin W. Campbell, David J. Myers, Kyle E. Leinaar, Thomas A. Porter, Michael R. Goodpaster
  • Publication number: 20200116547
    Abstract: A system for managing material loading is disclosed herein. The system comprising a sensor arranged on or proximate a material loading machine that is configured to measure a weight of the material loading machine. A transmitting device communicatively coupled to the sensor that is configured to receive and transmit the measured weight to an electronic data processor. An electronic data processor coupled to each of the sensor and the transmitting device. The electronic data processor is configured to compute a material weight based on the measured weight of the material loading machine and generate an alert for display on a user interface when the material weight exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2018
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventors: Lance R. Sherlock, Keith N. Chaston, Drew F. Harwell, Benjamin P. Koestler, Noel W. Anderson, Matthew J. Sbai, David J. Myers, Hatim A. Bookwala, Kevin W. Campbell, Thomas A. Porter
  • Publication number: 20190376259
    Abstract: A work vehicle includes a torque converter having a lock up clutch and a controller that conditionally allows operation of the lock up clutch in a locked position or an unlocked position. The controller determines a plurality of active work vehicle parameters during operation of the work vehicle and includes a plurality of ready to dig parameters. The controller determines a ready to dig condition or a non-digging condition of the work vehicle by comparing at least two of the active work vehicle parameters to at least two corresponding ready to dig parameters. The controller disallows operation of the lock up clutch in the locked position in response to the ready to dig condition, allows operation of the lock up clutch in locked or unlocked positions in response to a non-digging condition. Operation of the lock up clutch avoids the engine from stalling in a ready to dig condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Inventors: Megan L. Pence, Kevin W. Campbell, David J. Myers, Kyle E. Leinaar, Thomas A. Porter, Michael R. Goodpaster
  • Publication number: 20170335546
    Abstract: A control system of a work machine including an operator's cab and an implement, the system comprising a vehicle control unit for controlling the machine; a first control device located in the cab for controlling a steering function of the machine; a second control device located in the cab for controlling the implement; a CB transceiver located in the cab, the CB transceiver configured to receive and transmit signals; and a CB microphone control disposed on the first control device or the second control device, the CB microphone control being operably actuable between an active position and an inactive position, where in the active position the transceiver is enabled to transmit a signal, and in the inactive position the transceiver is enabled to receive a signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: DAVID J. MYERS, Thomas A. Porter
  • Patent number: 9803335
    Abstract: A control system of a work machine including an operator's cab and an implement, the system comprising a vehicle control unit for controlling the machine; a first control device located in the cab for controlling a steering function of the machine; a second control device located in the cab for controlling the implement; a CB transceiver located in the cab, the CB transceiver configured to receive and transmit signals; and a CB microphone control disposed on the first control device or the second control device, the CB microphone control being operably actuable between an active position and an inactive position, where in the active position the transceiver is enabled to transmit a signal, and in the inactive position the transceiver is enabled to receive a signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: DEERE & Company
    Inventors: David J. Myers, Thomas A. Porter