Deere + Company

George P Lysenko

Richard Jon Smith

Edward H Kiefer

Kevin A Price

Gary W Tindall

Richard Lukens Cade

Kyle M Krisher

Richard J Vize

Computer-implemented methods, computer program products, and computer systems are described for determining cylinder health characteristic in a reciprocating piston engine of the type including a piston-cylinder assembly and a crankshaft. The piston-cylinder assembly includes a cylinder and a piston configured to translate within the cylinder as the crankshaft rotates. In one embodiment, the computer-implemented method includes rotating the crankshaft in a first direction, while generating a first data set comprising a first plurality of piston position measurements and corresponding pressure indicator measurements. The crankshaft is further rotated in a second opposing direction, while a second data set is generated comprising a second plurality of piston position measurements and corresponding pressure indicator measurements. A symmetric aspect between the first and second data sets is then identified and utilized to determining a cylinder health characteristic for the piston-cylinder assembly.

Determining cylinder health in a reciprocating piston engine

A computer-implemented method, computer program product, and computer system is described for identifying top dead center of a reciprocating piston. A piston is progressed in a first direction along a first piston stroke included in the cyclical motion, toward an expected top dead center position of the piston. A plurality of piston positions and corresponding pressure indicators are determined during the first-direction progression of the piston. The piston is progressed in a second direction along a second piston stroke included in the cyclical motion, toward the expected top dead center position of the piston. A plurality of piston positions and corresponding pressure indicators are determined during the second-direction progression of the piston. One or more symmetric aspects of the first- and second-direction data are determined, and an updated top dead center position is determined based upon, at least in part, the symmetric aspects.

Finding top dead center for a reciprocating piston

A window structure for closing an opening in an upright wall of a cab structure composed of upper and lower glass panels having adjoining horizontal edges. A horizontal hinge connects the upper edge of the upper panel to the cab structure so that the upper panel can swing inwardly to an upper horizontal position just under the roof of the cab. The lower panel may be mounted in the lower portion of the opening or on the rear face of the upper panel and when in the latter position, upper and lower panels may be swung upwardly against the roof of the cab and latched in this position. A gas-pressurized cylinder is used between the cab structure and the upper panel to aid in both raising the panels and to restrain the panels as they are lowered.

Window structure for tractor cab

A grapple assembly includes a grapple suspended from an outer end of the grapple boom by means including a double clevis permitting the grapple to swing about a pair of crosswise disposed pivot axes. A double clevis is pivotally connected to the lower end of an upright output shaft which is rotatably mounted in the grapple boom. A fluid supply passage is provided in the shaft and has a first pair of outlets disposed diametrically from each other and in a vertical plane containing one of the pivot axes and a first pair of snubber hoses are connected between these outlets and the grapple frame. Similarly, a second pair of outlets of the passage are located diametrically from each other and in a vertical plane containing the other pivot axis and a second pair of snubber hoses are connected between these outlets and the frame. A hydraulic circuit is provided for selectively pressurizing the snubber hoses to thereby stiffen them and inhibit swinging movement of the frame about the pair of axes. In a second embodiment of the invention, the fluid supply passage in the output shaft has only a single outlet and it is located on the axis of the shaft and connected between this outlet and a blind bore on the frame is a single snubber hose which intersects the pivot axes of the frame.

Grapple pivot snubber

An industrial vehicle is provided with a motion alarm actuated such as to never sound when the vehicle is stationary, to always sound when the vehicle moves rearwardly and to sound during forward vehicle motion except when the vehicle engine is running and the shift lever is placed in a position intended for forward vehicle motion.

Vehicle motion alarm

The hydraulic safety valve includes a housing defining a generally cylindrical shaped chamber having an opening at both ends of the chamber, and a chamber contained generally spherical shaped member. The hydraulic safety valve is suited for deployment in a hydraulic system wherein the main hydraulic unit is in fluid communication with a remotely located workpiece via hydraulic fluid lines. The safety valve interrupts or is attached to a hydraulic line in close proximity to the main hydraulic unit and functions to protect against substantial losses of hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic system as a result of workpiece or hydraulic line failure.

Hydraulic safety valve

An access door forms part of an enclosure and is releasably held in a closed position by means of a latch mechanism including a lock member formed of a spring metal strap bent to include a clip or hairpin portion having deflectable legs disposed in cooperating holding relationship to a catch member carried by the door when the latter is closed. The lock member also includes a deflectable mounting portion to which is connected a latch release lever for selectively deflecting the latter to disengage the deflectable legs thereof from the catch member to thereby release the door for movement to an open position.

Growing community of inventors

Dubuque, IA, United States of America

George P Lysenko