Deere & Company

American Soil Technologies, Inc.

James A Miller

Derek Malcolm Eagles

Gordon K Wiegardt

Carl P Ranno

Lester Leroy Nighswonger

Leroy Kenneth Satterlee

Johnny A Dickinson

Robert Otto Diedrichs

James Clinton Potter

Ronald Salestrom

Michael John Pipho

Bennie Joe Vaughn

Raymond J Lobmeyer

Alan David Sheidler

Dwight B Stephenson

Ronnie F Burk

Richard A Wittren

Roger J Nelson

Uwe H Kugler

Douglas Robert Fischer

Teryl Marvin Oftedal

Donald J Macdonald

William L Snyder

Steven G Brandau

Duane William Powell

James Hugh Ross

Gary John Treichel

Stephen Russell Ephraim

Richard A Felland

Thomas Edward VanVeldhuizen

Gary T Barker

Marvin Kenneth Farr

Randy P Schmidt

Barry Edward Plassman

David Rick Laird

Sandra L Trotter

A vehicle engine cooling system includes a primary cooling circuit having a primary radiator and a coolant pump. A secondary cooling circuit includes a secondary radiator, an EGR cooler, and a liquid/air charge air pre-cooler receiving engine inlet air from a turbocharger compressor. The coolant pump circulates coolant through the EGR cooler, through the charge air pre-cooler, and through the primary and secondary radiators. A fan blows cooling air through the primary and secondary radiators. The secondary radiator is downstream of the primary radiator in the fan airflow. The cooling system also includes an air-to-air charge air cooler which receives engine inlet air from the liquid/air charge air pre-cooler. The air-to-air charge air cooler is upstream of the primary radiator with respect to flow of cooling air. The cooling system also includes an auxiliary engine fluid cooler which is located between the air-to-air charge air cooler and the primary radiator.

Vehicle cooling system

A tool for installing threaded parts with lock nuts onto a machine is disclosed. The tool includes an outer tube and an inner mechanism that rotate together or independently using cogs. When the outer tube and inner mechanism rotate together, the threaded part is tightened onto a machine. When the outer tube and inner mechanism rotated independently, the lock nut is tightened onto the threaded part.

Tool for installing threaded knives with lock nuts

The fluid distribution discs include a plurality of fluid distribution channels that radiate from the fluid distribution disc origin to conically shaped tines connected at the perimeter of the fluid distribution disc. The fluid distribution channels are aligned with similar channels within a bushing securable to the fluid distribution disc radial portion. A stationary plate or disc valve has a disc valve fluid channel in a disc valve radial surface, which is in contact with the rotating bushing radial surface resulting in a periodic alignment between the disc valve fluid channel and each of the bushing channels. Fluid is pumped to a fluid port in a hub having a fluid port in fluid communication with the disc valve fluid channel. As the tines of the fluid distribution disc penetrate the field surface, fluid is channeled through the disc valve into the fluid distribution disc channels and the tines. Fluid leakage from disc valve radial surface/rotating bushing radial surface interface is captured and redirected by a bleed groove though the tines at point after a tine has entered the ground and before the fluid is delivered to the tine through the disc valve fluid channel.

Fluid distribution assembly having bleed groove for leakage

The apparatus is propelled or towed in a longitudinal direction over a field and the apparatus components engage the field surface to inject fluid beneath the field surface. Generally, the apparatus is a frame and at least one series of fluid distribution discs rotationally coupled at end portions of an arm assemblies pivotally suspended from the frame. The fluid distribution discs include a plurality of fluid distribution channels that radiate from the fluid distribution disc origin to conically shaped tines connected at the perimeter of the fluid distribution disc. The fluid distribution channels are aligned with similar channels within a bushing securable to the fluid distribution disc radial portion. A stationary plate or disc valve has a disc valve fluid channel in a disc valve radial surface, which is in contact with the rotating bushing radial surface resulting in a periodic alignment between the disc valve fluid channel and each of the bushing channels. Fluid is pumped to a fluid port in a hub having a fluid port in fluid communication with the disc valve fluid channel. As the tines of the fluid distribution disc penetrate the field surface, fluid is channeled through the disc valve into the fluid distribution disc channels and the tines.

Fluid injection apparatus having biasing brackets

The fluid distribution discs include a plurality of fluid distribution channels that radiate from the fluid distribution disc origin to conically shaped tines connected at the perimeter of the fluid distribution disc. The fluid distribution channels are aligned with similar channels within a bushing securable to the fluid distribution disc radial portion. A stationary plate or disc valve has a disc valve fluid channel in a disc valve radial surface, which is in contact with the rotating bushing radial surface resulting in a periodic alignment between the disc valve fluid channel and each of the bushing channels. Fluid is pumped to a fluid port in a hub having a fluid port in fluid communication with the disc valve fluid channel. As the tines of the fluid distribution disc penetrate the field surface, fluid is channeled through the disc valve into the fluid distribution disc channels and the tines.

Fluid distribution assembly

Fluid injection apparatus having frame levers

The apparatus is propelled or towed in a longitudinal direction over a field and the apparatus components engage the field surface to inject fluid beneath the field surface. Generally, the apparatus is a frame and at least one series of fluid distribution discs rotationally coupled at end portions of arm assemblies pivotally suspended from the frame. The fluid distribution discs include a plurality of fluid distribution channels that radiate from the fluid distribution disc origin to conically shaped tines connected at the perimeter of the fluid distribution disc. The fluid distribution channels are aligned with similar channels within a bushing securable to the fluid distribution disc radial portion. A stationary plate or disc valve has a disc valve fluid channel in a disc valve radial surface, which is in contact with the rotating bushing radial surface resulting in a periodic alignment between the disc valve fluid channel and each of the bushing channels. Fluid is pumped to a fluid port in a hub having a fluid port in fluid communication with the disc valve fluid channel. As the tines of the fluid distribution disc penetrate the field surface, fluid is channeled through the disc valve into the fluid distribution disc channels and the tines.

Fluid injection apparatus having lift assembly shaft levers

Method and apparatus for controlling a cooling fan in a vehicle engine compartment, such as a tractor or combine. A fan control receives inputs from sensors and uses the sensor inputs in determining fan speeds which meet cooling needs while limiting fan energy consumption. Sensor data include at least one of PTO and transmission settings, throttle command and engine speed, and fan speed and air conditioner settings. Sensor data is received and processed in the fan control, which sends the greatest determined fan speed to a fan actuator. When the PTO is activated and the transmission is in park, fan speed can be controlled according to an alternate coolant temperature table. When throttle command is zero and engine speed is above a maximum, fan speed is set at maximum. When air conditioning is activated, fan speed is set at least at a predetermined minimum speed.

Electronic fan control

A power boost control system is provided for an agricultural vehicle with an engine which is normally governor controlled to run at throttle-selected constant engine speed up to a normal or rated engine speed. The power boost control system receives a road speed signal. Power boost is enabled if the sensed road speed is greater than an &ldquo;on&rdquo; threshold, above which is considered to be a transport speed. Power boost is disabled if sensed road speed is less than an &ldquo;off&rdquo; threshold, below which is considered to be less than a transport speed. When power boost is enabled, the controller will increase maximum power limits to above normal levels, so that, for example, the desired road or transport speed can be maintained as the vehicle goes up a hill.

Engine power boost control system

A system and method is described for controlling vehicle bouncing of a vehicle having an engine driving wheels through a transmission having multiple gear ratios. The vehicle has a fuel control unit for supplying a variable amount of fuel to the engine in response to fuel control signals generated by an engine control unit. The method includes generating a control code as a function of a gear ratio of the transmission; sensing vehicle acceleration with an accelerometer mounted on the vehicle and generating an acceleration signal in response to motion of the vehicle. The fuel control signal is generated as a function of the control code, the acceleration signal and a frequency dependent transfer function value. The fuel delivered to the engine is modified as a function of the fuel control signal.

System and method for reducing vehicle bouncing

A hydraulic system is provided for a vehicle having front, middle and rear portions. The hydraulic system includes a main pump located in the front portion, and a secondary pump located in the front portion which supplies fluid to an inlet of the main pump and to lube circuits. High pressure hydraulic functions are located in the middle and rear portions and receive high pressure fluid from the main pump. A hydraulic filter is located in the front portion and is connected to an outlet of the secondary pump for filtering fluid communicated to the inlet of the main pump. A relief valve is located in the front vehicle portion and is connected between the outlet of the secondary pump and the hydraulic filter. An inlet suction screen is located in the rear portion and is connected between a sump and the inlet of the main pump. An oil cooler is located in the front vehicle portion and is connected between the hydraulic filter and an inlet of the main pump.

Vehicle hydraulic system

A hinged vertical exhaust pipe is provided to allow easy adjustment of the height of the exhaust pipe. The upper and lower sections of the exhaust pipe are hinged together by a stiff joint, e.g., a spring-loaded hinged friction joint, and are positioned in line with one another with a slight gap between them. The lower section is double walled, and the inner wall extends somewhat up into the upper section. The upper section is single walled, with its wall aligned with the outer wall of the lower section. Air is drawn into the space between the inner and outer walls at the base of the lower section and also at a gap at the joint between the upper and lower sections. This air is drawn in both due to the aspiration caused by the higher speed exhaust flow through the inner exhaust pipe, and due to thermal rising of heated air. The space between the inner wall of the lower section and the wall of the upper section acts as a venturi, directing the air in a uniform fashion up into the upper section of the exhaust pipe. This cools the pipe and minimizes blow back at the joint between the upper and lower sections of the pipe.

Tip-over exhaust with venturi

A charge flow distribution valve routes all charge pump flow into a main pump until the main pump has sufficient inlet pressure. The valve opens to a first stage which routes excess charge flow to lubrication circuits. At a slightly higher main pump inlet pressure, it also routes oil to an inlet of the charge pump.

Charge flow priority circuit

A control circuit and specific embodiments thereof are provided using a four-port infinitely variable pilot operated pressure-compensator spool valve and a three-port infinitely variable pilot operated load sense spool valve in series to regulate the output pressure of a variable displacement radial piston pump. The valves are so constructed that both must be correctly positioned to put the pump into full stroke, while either valve can de-stroke the pump. The three-port valve is pilot controlled between the load sense pressure and the outlet pressure, while the four-port valve is controlled between the pump inlet and outlet pressures. A check valve and orifice are positioned between the two control valves and the crankcase control line of the pump to assist in stabilizing the pump output. A relief valve is provided on the crankcase line to minimize output spikes. In an alternative embodiment, a single three-port valve is controlled between the inlet and outlet pressures of the pump. A relief valve is provided to vent spikes in the crankcase pressure, allowing down-sizing of the crankcase orifice.

Pressure flow compensating control circuit

A gain reduction circuit is provided for use with a pressure flow compensated variable displacement pump in a power-on-demand hydraulic system. An orifice and a check valve are connected in parallel between a pressure-flow compensating valve and the control for the variable displacement pump. A second orifice is connected between the pump control and sump. A relief valve is connected in parallel with both orifices. The circuit operates to allow a quick increase in pump output, while damping variations in the pump control to prevent or minimize oscillation of the pump outlet pressure around the desired value. In alternative embodiments, the check valve may be omitted if larger orifices are used, or the check valve may be provided and the second orifice omitted.

Growing community of inventors

Cedar Falls, IA, United States of America

James A Miller