Patents by Inventor Thomas C. Farr
Thomas C. Farr 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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Publication number: 20230322300Abstract: A smart steering control system a paving or texturing machine receives path elements corresponding to current and future positions of the machine. By comparing the current and future elements, an expected completion time is derived for exiting the current position and entering the future position; the smart steering control system synchronizes adjustments of the machine's steerable tracks from the current path to the future path. The smart steering control system functions as a virtual tie rod, preventing damage, enhancing the traction control and pulling power of the machine, and preserving the operating life of its components.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2023Publication date: October 12, 2023Inventors: Thomas C. Farr, Raymond J. Bumann, III, Chad M. Schaeding
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Patent number: 11713073Abstract: A smart steering control system a paving or texturing machine receives path elements corresponding to current and future positions of the machine. By comparing the current and future elements, an expected completion time is derived for exiting the current position and entering the future position; the smart steering control system synchronizes adjustments of the machine's steerable tracks from the current path to the future path. The smart steering control system functions as a virtual tie rod, preventing damage, enhancing the traction control and pulling power of the machine, and preserving the operating life of its components.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2020Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: Gomaco CorporationInventors: Thomas C. Farr, Raymond J. Bumann, III, Chad M. Schaeding
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Publication number: 20220389666Abstract: A paving machine is described. The paving machine includes a powertrain with a power unit. The power unit may include a diesel generator and a battery. The powertrain may also include one or more drivetrains. The drivetrains may include a hydraulic drivetrain and an electric drivetrain. The drivetrains may receive power from the power unit for supplying power to actuators of the hydraulic drivetrain and the electric drivetrain. The paving machine may be a curb-forming machine including the battery, the hydraulic drivetrain, and the electric drivetrain. The hydraulic drivetrain of the curb-forming machine may include a cylinder, crawler, steering assembly, and auger, and the electric drivetrain may include a vibrator. The paving machine may also include a number of other types of paving machines. Where the paving machine includes the hydraulic drivetrain, a buffer may be provided to ensure sufficient hydraulic power in response to demand changes.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2022Publication date: December 8, 2022Inventors: Thomas C. Farr, Lex Jacobson, Andrew Lundy, Mark W Brenner
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Publication number: 20220243407Abstract: A slew drive includes a bushing interfacing with a drive gear. The bushing resists a load from the drive gear. The bushing includes an aluminum bronze alloy with a high strength. A paving machine includes multiple of the slew drives. The slew drives control an angle of a pivot arm and steering of a track. A method of reducing component failure in the paving machine includes determining an angular position error of the slew drive of the track. If the angular position exceeds a tolerance, a rate-of-change of the angular position is found to determine whether the slew drive is rotating. Where the slew drive is not rotating, the slew drive is driven in a reverse direction to unseize the slew drive. A track drive and the slew drive of the pivot are controlled by a control loop. The slew drive may be dithered to steer a trailing pivot.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2021Publication date: August 4, 2022Inventors: Scott Pedersen, Steven A. Johnson, Thomas C Farr
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Patent number: 11149388Abstract: A slew drive includes a bushing interfacing with a drive gear. The bushing resists a load from the drive gear. The bushing includes an aluminum bronze alloy with a high strength. A paving machine includes multiple of the slew drives. The slew drives control an angle of a pivot arm and steering of a track. A method of reducing component failure in the paving machine includes determining an angular position error of the slew drive of the track. If the angular position exceeds a tolerance, a rate-of-change of the angular position is found to determine whether the slew drive is rotating. Where the slew drive is not rotating, the slew drive is driven in a reverse direction to unseize the slew drive. A track drive and the slew drive of the pivot are controlled by a control loop. The slew drive may be dithered to steer a trailing pivot.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2021Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: GOMACO CORPORATIONInventors: Scott Pedersen, Steven A. Johnson, Thomas C Farr
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Publication number: 20210114655Abstract: A smart steering control system a paving or texturing machine receives path elements corresponding to current and future positions of the machine. By comparing the current and future elements, an expected completion time is derived for exiting the current position and entering the future position; the smart steering control system synchronizes adjustments of the machine's steerable tracks from the current path to the future path. The smart steering control system functions as a virtual tie rod, preventing damage, enhancing the traction control and pulling power of the machine, and preserving the operating life of its components.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2020Publication date: April 22, 2021Inventors: Thomas C. Farr, Raymond J. Bumann, III, Chad M. Schaeding
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Patent number: 10940883Abstract: A mobile machine includes a computerized system for determining a synchronized free-floating center of rotation. The synchronized free-floating center of rotation effectively coordinates the rotation of the machine's tracks or wheels in that it constrains the angles of rotation. The synchronized free-floating center of rotation is calculated based on a line-line intersection derived from a combined attack angle and one or more known reference points. Such system may allow rotation and counter-rotation utilizing a uniform hydraulic pressure for hydraulically driven tracks.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2018Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignee: Gomaco CorporationInventors: Chad M. Schaeding, Thomas C. Farr
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Patent number: 10822029Abstract: A smart steering control system a paving or texturing machine receives path elements corresponding to current and future positions of the machine. By comparing the current and future elements, an expected completion time is derived for exiting the current position and entering the future position; the smart steering control system synchronizes adjustments of the machine's steerable tracks from the current path to the future path. The smart steering control system functions as a virtual tie rod, preventing damage, enhancing the traction control and pulling power of the machine, and preserving the operating life of its components.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2018Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: Gomaco CorporationInventors: Thomas C. Farr, Raymond J. Bumann, III, Chad Schaeding
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Publication number: 20180327022Abstract: A mobile machine includes a computerized system for determining a synchronized free-floating center of rotation. The synchronized free-floating center of rotation effectively coordinates the rotation of the machine's tracks or wheels in that it constrains the angles of rotation. The synchronized free-floating center of rotation is calculated based on a line-line intersection derived from a combined attack angle and one or more known reference points. Such system may allow rotation and counter-rotation utilizing a uniform hydraulic pressure for hydraulically driven tracks.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2018Publication date: November 15, 2018Inventors: Chad M. Schaeding, Thomas C. Farr
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Publication number: 20180208240Abstract: A smart steering control system a paving or texturing machine receives path elements corresponding to current and future positions of the machine. By comparing the current and future elements, an expected completion time is derived for exiting the current position and entering the future position; the smart steering control system synchronizes adjustments of the machine's steerable tracks from the current path to the future path. The smart steering control system functions as a virtual tie rod, preventing damage, enhancing the traction control and pulling power of the machine, and preserving the operating life of its components.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2018Publication date: July 26, 2018Inventors: Thomas C. Farr, Raymond J. Bumann, III, Chad Schaeding
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Patent number: 10005489Abstract: A method for operating a ratchet assembly. The method includes, when a ratchet lock mechanism is in a first locked position, causing a drive mechanism to rotate by operating a steer cylinder in a selected direction until a first predetermined value, which may be associated with an amount of rotation of the drive mechanism, is reached. The method includes unlocking the ratchet lock mechanism, and resetting the steer cylinder by operating the steer cylinder in an opposite direction until a second predetermined value is reached. The method includes locking the ratchet lock mechanism in a second locked position, and, upon locking the ratchet lock mechanism in the second locked position, causing the drive mechanism to further rotate by operating the steer cylinder in the selected direction until a third predetermined value is reached, wherein the third predetermined value is associated with a selected amount of rotation of the drive mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2016Date of Patent: June 26, 2018Assignee: GOMACO CorporationInventors: Thomas C. Farr, Kevin L. Klein, Mark W. Brenner, Kevin D. Kottke, Jason D. Wulf, Stephen B. Jones
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Publication number: 20170106902Abstract: A method for operating a ratchet assembly. The method includes, when a ratchet lock mechanism is in a first locked position, causing a drive mechanism to rotate by operating a steer cylinder in a selected direction until a first predetermined value, which may be associated with an amount of rotation of the drive mechanism, is reached. The method includes unlocking the ratchet lock mechanism, and resetting the steer cylinder by operating the steer cylinder in an opposite direction until a second predetermined value is reached. The method includes locking the ratchet lock mechanism in a second locked position, and, upon locking the ratchet lock mechanism in the second locked position, causing the drive mechanism to further rotate by operating the steer cylinder in the selected direction until a third predetermined value is reached, wherein the third predetermined value is associated with a selected amount of rotation of the drive mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2016Publication date: April 20, 2017Inventors: Thomas C. Farr, Kevin L. Klein, Mark W. Brenner, Kevin D. Kottke, Jason D. Wulf, Stephen B. Jones
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Patent number: 9541195Abstract: A ratchet assembly may include a steer ring, a steer ring side structure, a steer cylinder bracket arm, a steer cylinder, a ratchet lock gear, a steering collar, a ratchet cylinder, a ratchet lock bar, and at least one sensor. When in a particular locked position, operation of the steer cylinder rotates the steer ring, the ratchet lock gear, and the steering collar. When in an unlocked position, operation of the steer cylinder rotates the steer ring around the ratchet lock gear.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2014Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: GOMACO CorporationInventors: Thomas C. Farr, Kevin L. Klein, Mark W. Brenner, Kevin D. Kottke, Jason D. Wulf, Stephen B. Jones
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Patent number: 9464716Abstract: A cylinder assembly may include a cylinder end having a cylinder end opening, a cylinder barrel, a piston, a rod, and a shaft. An opening through the piston forms a sleeve passing through a portion of the piston. The rod extends out of the cylinder barrel and is configured to rotate with respect to the cylinder barrel and the cylinder end. An opening in the rod further forms the sleeve passing through an interior portion of the rod. A protruding end of the shaft passes through the cylinder end opening. A portion of the shaft has a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the cross-section of the sleeve. The protruding end of the shaft is free to rotate within the cylinder end opening in response to a rotation of the rod. The shaft is free to slide within the sleeve in response to an extension or retraction of the rod.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2015Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: GOMACO CorporationInventors: Thomas C. Farr, Mark W. Brenner, Kevin D. Kottke, Stephen B. Jones
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Publication number: 20160061327Abstract: A cylinder assembly may include a cylinder end having a cylinder end opening, a cylinder barrel, a piston, a rod, and a shaft. An opening through the piston forms a sleeve passing through a portion of the piston. The rod extends out of the cylinder barrel and is configured to rotate with respect to the cylinder barrel and the cylinder end. An opening in the rod further forms the sleeve passing through an interior portion of the rod. A protruding end of the shaft passes through the cylinder end opening. A portion of the shaft has a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the cross-section of the sleeve. The protruding end of the shaft is free to rotate within the cylinder end opening in response to a rotation of the rod. The shaft is free to slide within the sleeve in response to an extension or retraction of the rod.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2015Publication date: March 3, 2016Inventors: Thomas C. Farr, Mark W. Brenner, Kevin D. Kottke, Stephen B. Jones
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Publication number: 20150083517Abstract: A ratchet assembly may include a steer ring, a steer ring side structure, a steer cylinder bracket arm, a steer cylinder, a ratchet lock gear, a steering collar, a ratchet cylinder, a ratchet lock bar, and at least one sensor. When in a particular locked position, operation of the steer cylinder rotates the steer ring, the ratchet lock gear, and the steering collar. When in an unlocked position, operation of the steer cylinder rotates the steer ring around the ratchet lock gear.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2014Publication date: March 26, 2015Inventors: Thomas C. Farr, Kevin L. Klein, Mark W. Brenner, Kevin D. Kottke, Jason D. Wulf, Stephen B. Jones