Patents by Inventor Trent A. Luoma

Trent A. Luoma 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: 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
  • 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: 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: 9457841
    Abstract: A vehicle and drive system control method for a vehicle including first and second traction elements coupled to the vehicle, a variable displacement pump, a bi-directional variable displacement first motor coupled to the first traction element, and a bi-directional second motor coupled to the second traction element. The pump, and first and second motors are coupled fluidly in series with one another. A control unit can determine a desired speed for the traction elements, and determine pump, first and/or second motor displacements based on the desired speed. First and second speed sensors can sense output speeds of the motors, and the pump, first and/or second motor displacements can be determined based on the motor output speeds. Articulation and steering sensor signals can also be used to determine pump, first and/or second motor displacements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Brent A Smith, Mark E Hull, Nathan J Horstman, Jeffrey A Bauer, Trent A Luoma, Neil V Harber
  • Publication number: 20150336609
    Abstract: A vehicle and drive system control method for a vehicle including first and second traction elements coupled to the vehicle, a variable displacement pump, a bi-directional variable displacement first motor coupled to the first traction element, and a bi-directional second motor coupled to the second traction element. The pump, and first and second motors are coupled fluidly in series with one another. A control unit can determine a desired speed for the traction elements, and determine pump, first and/or second motor displacements based on the desired speed. First and second speed sensors can sense output speeds of the motors, and the pump, first and/or second motor displacements can be determined based on the motor output speeds. Articulation and steering sensor signals can also be used to determine pump, first and/or second motor displacements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: Brent A. Smith, Mark E. Hull, Nathan J. Horstman, Jeffrey A. Bauer, Trent A. Luoma, Neil V. Harber
  • Patent number: 8746362
    Abstract: A work vehicle comprises a frame, a circle gear mounted to the frame to rotate relative thereto, a moldboard coupled to the circle gear to rotate therewith, and a circle drive gearbox comprising gearing, a first worm, and a second worm, the gearing meshing with the circle gear, the first and second worms meshing with the gearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Reginald M. Bindl, Francisco Ruiz, Angel Torrado, Trent A. Luoma, Nathan J. Horstman
  • Patent number: 8573337
    Abstract: A tandem housing for a motor grader comprises an exterior multi-layer first wall, an exterior second wall, and an exterior rim. The first wall comprises a main plate and a reinforcement plate reinforcing the main plate. The rim is coupled to the first wall and the second wall so as to provide a periphery of the tandem housing laterally between the first wall and the second wall. The main plate, the reinforcement plate, and the rim cooperate to provide a weld groove. A weld is positioned in the weld groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Trent A. Luoma, Dharmendra Sharma
  • Publication number: 20120073890
    Abstract: A work vehicle comprises a frame, a circle gear mounted to the frame to rotate relative thereto, a moldboard coupled to the circle gear to rotate therewith, and a circle drive gearbox comprising gearing, a first worm, and a second worm, the gearing meshing with the circle gear, the first and second worms meshing with the gearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventors: Reginald M. Bindl, Fancisco Ruiz, Angel Torrado, Trent A. Luoma, Nathan J. Horstman