Patents by Inventor Trent L. Goodnight

Trent L. Goodnight 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: 11976760
    Abstract: A retaining apparatus includes a barrier having an interior surface defining an aperture extending from a first end of the barrier to a second end of the barrier. The retaining apparatus has a first distance between opposing sides of the interior surface near the first end of the barrier, a second distance between the opposing sides of the interior surface at a position between the first and second ends of the barrier, and a third distance between the opposing sides of the interior surface at the second end of the barrier. The second distance is smaller than the first and third distances. The interior surface is configured to partially surround and support a work line, restricting movement of the work line in a transverse direction, allowing movement of the work line in a longitudinal direction, and allowing bending of the work line about an axis in the transverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Lowell D. Stutzman, Trent L. Goodnight, Clayton P. Neumann
  • Patent number: 11541862
    Abstract: A method of controlling a work machine having at least one wheel includes providing a controller, an operator control, and a steering system including a steering wheel position sensor, a road wheel angle sensor, a speed sensor, and a feedback device. The method includes detecting a change in steering wheel position via the steering wheel position device and a wheel speed of the at least one wheel via the speed sensor. A predicted lateral acceleration is calculated by the controller as a function of wheel speed and a feedback torque is determined by the controller as a function of the predicted lateral acceleration. The feedback torque is determined from a plurality of feedback torque curves stored by the controller, where each of the plurality of feedback torque curves corresponds to a sensitivity level selectable from the operator control. The feedback torque is commanded to the feedback device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Nathanael K. Rehn, Jeffrey M. Tott, Trent L. Goodnight
  • Publication number: 20220146027
    Abstract: A retaining apparatus includes a barrier having an interior surface defining an aperture extending from a first end of the barrier to a second end of the barrier. The retaining apparatus has a first distance between opposing sides of the interior surface near the first end of the barrier, a second distance between the opposing sides of the interior surface at a position between the first and second ends of the barrier, and a third distance between the opposing sides of the interior surface at the second end of the barrier. The second distance is smaller than the first and third distances. The interior surface is configured to partially surround and support a work line, restricting movement of the work line in a transverse direction, allowing movement of the work line in a longitudinal direction, and allowing bending of the work line about an axis in the transverse direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Lowell D. Stutzman, TRENT L. GOODNIGHT, CLAYTON P. NEUMANN
  • Publication number: 20220063581
    Abstract: A method of controlling a work machine having at least one wheel includes providing a controller, an operator control, and a steering system including a steering wheel position sensor, a road wheel angle sensor, a speed sensor, and a feedback device. The method includes detecting a change in steering wheel position via the steering wheel position device and a wheel speed of the at least one wheel via the speed sensor. A predicted lateral acceleration is calculated by the controller as a function of wheel speed and a feedback torque is determined by the controller as a function of the predicted lateral acceleration. The feedback torque is determined from a plurality of feedback torque curves stored by the controller, where each of the plurality of feedback torque curves corresponds to a sensitivity level selectable from the operator control. The feedback torque is commanded to the feedback device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Nathanael K. Rehn, Jeffrey M. Tott, Trent L. Goodnight
  • Patent number: 8206253
    Abstract: A method is provided for adjusting the displacement angles of two hydrostatic units in an infinitely variable hydro-mechanical transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Ryan P. Lindsay, Trent L. Goodnight, Craig A. Puetz, Chad W. Seuser
  • Publication number: 20100062889
    Abstract: A method is provided for adjusting the displacement angles of two hydrostatic units in an infinitely variable hydro-mechanical transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventors: Ryan P. Lindsay, Trent L. Goodnight, Craig A. Puetz, Chad W. Seuser