Deere + Company

Grant R Henn

Aaron R Kenkel

Michael R Gratton

Scott R Stahle

Michael G Kean

Todd F Velde

David J Myers

Brian Keith Kellogg

Dustin T Staade

Mary B Wigginton

Doug M Lehmann

Kevin W Campbell

Matthew Sbai

Ryan N Detweiler

Joseph R Keene

Thomas L Kennedy

Brett S Graham

Andrew John Humke

Bryan J Huttenlocher

Timothy K Dreger

Benjamin R Wagner

William Staidl

Brett D Schurman

Jason Bennett

Steven K Cureton

A method for filling a fluid of a work vehicle. The method comprises activating a fill mode and selecting a fluid to be filled on a display, sensing a fluid fill level, comparing the fluid fill level to a target fill level, initiating a fill level alert when the fluid fill level approaches the target fill level, and deactivating the fill mode when the fluid fill level substantially equals the target fill level.

Level sensing fill without a sight gauge

A pilot neutralizing system of a work vehicle may include a pilot neutralizer and a flow control apparatus. The work vehicle may include a frame assembly and an actuating assembly to pivot the frame assembly. The pilot neutralizer is hydraulically coupled between an operator control member and a steering valve to selectively direct a pilot signal to the steering valve and is hydraulically coupled to a reservoir via a reservoir line. The pilot signal is used to switch the steering valve to change a direction of a hydraulic fluid flowing from the steering valve to the actuating assembly. The flow control apparatus is hydraulically coupled to the reservoir line and used to change a draining rate of the pilot signal to the reservoir. When the articulation position reaches a cushion region during steering, the pilot signal drains back through the flow control apparatus to the reservoir.

Pilot neutralizing system

A pilot neutralizing system of a work vehicle may include a pilot neutralizer and a first sensor. The work vehicle may include a frame assembly having a first frame portion and a second frame portion and an actuating assembly used to pivot the first frame portion relative to the second frame portion. The pilot neutralizer is electrically coupled to a controller and is hydraulically coupled between the operator control member and the steering valve to selectively provide a communication of a pilot signal. When an articulation position reaches a cushion region during steering, the pilot neutralizer is de-energized or energized to change the pilot signal at the steering valve to resist the actuating assembly from moving. The first sensor is coupled to the pilot neutralizer and detects a first value to diagnose the pilot neutralizer to determine whether the pilot neutralizer is incorrectly in a de-energized state or an energized state.

Vehicles and methods of operating vehicles are disclosed herein. A vehicle includes a main frame, a work implement, and a control system. The work implement is supported by the main frame and configured to carry a payload in use of the vehicle. The control system is supported by the main frame and configured to control operation of the vehicle. The control system includes a payload measurement system configured to provide payload input indicative of a variable payload carried by the work implement in use of the vehicle and a controller coupled to the payload measurement system.

Vehicles with control systems to perform various functions based on payload weight and methods of operating the same

A pilot neutralizing system of a work vehicle may include a pilot neutralizer. The work vehicle may include a first frame portion and a second frame portion. The work vehicle has an actuating assembly used to pivot the first frame portion relative to the second frame portion. The pilot neutralizer is electrically coupled to a controller receiving a signal indicative of an articulation position. The pilot neutralizer is hydraulically coupled between an operator control member and a steering valve to selectively change a pilot signal at the steering valve. The pilot signal is used to switch the steering valve to change a direction of a hydraulic fluid flowing from the steering valve to the actuating assembly. When the articulation position reaches a cushion region during steering, the pilot neutralizer is de-energized or energized by the controller to change the pilot signal at the steering valve to resist the actuating assembly from moving.

A work machine includes a chassis, a boom coupled to the chassis, and a work implement coupled to the boom and movable relative to the chassis. In system may further include dynamic payload weighing system configured to measure the payload weight on the work implement. The system may also include an electrohydraulic system controller in communication with the dynamic payload weighing system and an electrohydraulic control valve electrically coupled to the electrohydraulic system controller and moveable to a plurality of weight-specific valve positions based on the measured payload weight on the implement.

Load-based adjustment system of implement control parameters and method of use

A hydraulic system for a work vehicle that has a frame, a ground-engaging implement that moves the frame over a ground surface, and an attachment connected to the frame for movement with respect to the frame. The hydraulic system includes a pump that pumps hydraulic fluid, a first conduit fluidly connecting the pump and the attachment, a reservoir that contains hydraulic fluid, a second conduit fluidly connecting the pump to the reservoir, a fluid resistor fluidly connected with the second conduit, and a valve. The fluid resistor dissipates power from the work vehicle. The valve actuates between a first state in which the valve fluidly connects the pump to the first conduit such that hydraulic fluid is directed to the attachment, and a second state in which the valve fluidly connects the pump to the second conduit such that fluid is directed through the fluid resistor and into the reservoir.

Hydraulic load brake system

An adjustable ride control circuit and method that includes a head valve that controls flow between a boom cylinder head intake and an accumulator, and a rod float valve that controls flow between a boom cylinder rod intake and tank, where the rod float valve is electronically adjustable and proportionally controls flow restriction. A controller controls ride control activation, and adjustment of the head and rod float valves. When ride control is activated, the head valve allows flow between the head intake and the accumulator, and the controller automatically adjusts the rod float valve. When ride control is deactivated, the head valve blocks flow between the head intake and the accumulator, and the rod float valve blocks flow between the rod intake and tank. An enable valve can control positioning of the head valve. A flow selector can select manual or automatic adjustment of the rod float valve.

Adjustable ride control system

A load sensitive ride system and method is disclosed for a vehicle with an implement movably attached by a boom cylinder. The system includes a payload weight measuring system that measures payload weight and generates a signal indicative of the payload weight, a ride control circuit that adjusts hydraulic flow to and from the boom cylinder; and a controller that receives the signal indicative of the payload weight, and sends compliance commands to adjust ride control compliance based on the signal indicative of the payload weight. The system can include a tire inflation system that adjusts tire pressure. The controller can send inflation commands to adjust tire pressure based on the signal indicative of the payload weight. The compliance commands can depend on the components and compliance adjustment methods of the ride control circuit.

Load sensitive ride system for a vehicle

A system for operating a work vehicle includes a hydraulic control assembly and a controller. The hydraulic control assembly includes a pump, accumulator, boom hydraulic cylinder, pin hydraulic cylinder, pin control valve, and ride control valve assembly. The boom hydraulic cylinder moves a boom of the work vehicle. The pin hydraulic cylinder moves a pin on the boom. The ride control valve assembly includes a charge valve and discharge valve. The charge valve is in fluid communication with the pump and the accumulator. The discharge valve is in fluid communication with the accumulator and a reservoir. The controller operates the work vehicle in a ride control mode and pin actuation mode. The pin actuation mode includes opening the charge valve with the discharge valve closed, and directing hydraulic fluid through the pin control valve.

Pin actuation system and method

A control system for a material handling vehicle has a boom arm connected to a vehicle frame for rotation about the vehicle frame. An actuator is connected to the vehicle frame and the boom arm to cause the boom arm to rotate about the vehicle frame, and an attachment is connected to the boom arm for rotation with respect to the boom arm. The control system includes a controller that is configured to calculate a pre-determined acceleration limit of the attachment, and a sensor that senses acceleration of the attachment and communicate the sensed acceleration to the controller. The controller is configured to compare the pre-determined acceleration limit of the attachment to the sensed acceleration of the attachment and is configured to adjust a control valve to limit flow to the actuator in response to the sensed acceleration of the attachment being above the pre-determined acceleration upper limit.

Method of limiting flow through accelerometer feedback

A work machine that has a chassis, a payload section, a controller, a payload sensor in communication with the controller, and an orientation sensor that identifies the orientation of the work machine to the controller. The controller determines a center of gravity for the work machine considering a payload weight identified by the payload sensor and sends an alert when the location of the center of gravity and the orientation of the work machine create an unstable condition.

Vehicle stability warning system

In accordance with an example embodiment, a hydraulic system may include a pump, reservoir, accumulator, hydraulic cylinder, ride control valve assembly, and controller. The ride control valve assembly may include a charging valve, discharging valve, and a head ride control valve. The controller may open the head ride control valve when a ride control feature has been activated, or open the charging valve if the ride control feature has not been activated and a hydraulic fluid warmup is to be performed.

Growing community of inventors

Dubuque, IA, United States of America

Grant R Henn