Deere + Company

Purdue Research Foundation

Other

Michael Andrew Holland

Clayton P Neumann

Gary William Krutz

Nathanael K Rehn

Greg R Long

Keith Harmeyer

Robert Clayton Emmert

Jordan Tagtow

Dwayne Alan Nystrom

Mark Allen Batdorff

Fernando Sandoval

John H Lumkes

Jesse Ray Knight

Jacob M Kongs

Gabriel Jordan Wilfong

Michael S Ramsey

Timu W Gallien

Kyle Joseph Merrill

Jesse R Knight

A work vehicle includes a plurality of vehicle drivetrain components, a plurality of state sensors and a variable flow conditioning hydraulic fluid source. A control manifold includes a plurality of control valves to control flow of conditioning hydraulic fluid to the plurality of drivetrain components to lubricate and cool the drivetrain components. A controller receives the state signals and is configured to selectively open one or more of the control valves at least in part in response to the one or more of the state signals to provide flow of conditioning hydraulic fluid to lubricate and cool any of the drivetrain components which are in an active operating state and to close one or more of the control valves to reduce or prevent flow of conditioning hydraulic fluid to any of the drivetrain components which are not in an active operating state.

Active lubrication strategy

A hydraulic system of a work vehicle includes a recirculation valve which may be closed during a warm-up mode of operation so that conditioning hydraulic fluid from a conditioning hydraulic fluid pump flows through a high pressure relief valve to a conditioning hydraulic fluid reservoir and recirculates from the conditioning hydraulic fluid reservoir back to the conditioning hydraulic fluid pump. Subsequent to the warm-up mode of operation, the recirculation valve may be opened so that conditioning hydraulic fluid from the conditioning hydraulic fluid pump flows through a low pressure relief valve to a main hydraulic fluid reservoir.

Warm-up oil management strategy

A system and technique for determining functionality of a hydraulic system including first and second motors mutually coupled in driving relation with a pump, a sensor generating a signal representative of a monitored condition, and a controller configured to selectively control activation and deactivation of the motors. Fitness detection logic stored in memory of the controller is executable by a processor to: determine, based on the signal while the first motor is activated and second motor is deactivated during a first test interval, whether the monitored condition meets a predefined threshold prior to expiration of the first test interval; determine, based on the signal while the second motor is activated and first motor is deactivated during a second test interval, whether the monitored condition meets the predefined threshold prior to expiration of the second test interval; and generate a readiness signal representative of the determined functionality of the hydraulic system.

System and method for determining operational readiness of a backup hydraulic pump system

A multi-coupler assembly for a work vehicle includes a first bank of fluid connectors, a second bank of fluid connectors configured to matingly engage the first bank of fluid connectors along a coupling axis, and a coupler mechanism coupled to the first bank of fluid connectors. The coupler mechanism is controllable to bring the second fluid connector bank into mating engagement with the first fluid connector bank. A breakaway feature is integrated into the coupler mechanism. The breakaway feature facilitates controlled disengagement of the first fluid connector bank from the second fluid connector bank along the coupling axis during a breakaway event, such as when an implement inadvertently detaches from the work vehicle. The breakaway feature may permit controlled disengagement of the first and second fluid connector banks without requiring movement of the coupler mechanism.

Work vehicle multi-coupler with breakaway feature

A vehicle hydraulic system includes a transmission lube circuit, a variable displacement main pump having an inlet, and a variable displacement charge pump having an outlet and a pressure responsive displacement control unit. The system also includes a charge line communicating the charge pump outlet with the main pump inlet, a sensing line communicating the charge line with the displacement control unit, and a lube line communicating the charge pump outlet with the lube circuit. The lube line includes a fluid restriction. A hydraulic oil filter and a filter bypass valve are connected in parallel between the outlet of the charge pump and the charge line.

Pressure and flow compensated hydraulic system

A fluid control valve system suitable for use in fluid systems. The valve system includes at least one check valve assembly that has a controllable bidirectional flow capability. The valve system and its check valve assembly can be installed in a fluid system that contains a pump/motor to enable the displacement output of the pump/motor to be controlled. The valve system further includes a pilot valve assembly and a device for controlling the check and pilot valve assemblies. The controlling device is adapted to control the pressure of at least one pilot fluid delivered to the pilot valve assembly, which enables the check valve assembly to selectively check flow of a working fluid flowing therethrough in either of two directions.

Fluid control valve systems, fluid systems equipped therewith, and methods of using

A method for monitoring a component formed of a polymer material, and the polymer component. The component includes an electrically-conductive polymer sensing element integrally incorporated into the component. An electric potential is applied to the polymer sensing element, and an electric signal generated by the polymer sensing element is sensed in response to the polymer sensing element physically responding to a transitory or permanent distortion of the component. A signal can then be generated if the electric signal exceeds a predetermined threshold value for the component.

Polymeric structures and methods for producing and monitoring polymeric structures

A structure subjected to stresses that can lead to structural failure. The structure includes first and second conductive layers and an intermediate layer therebetween formed of a dielectric, semiconductive, or resistive material, such that the first, second, and intermediate layers form in combination an electrical element, namely, a capacitive or resistive element. The electrical element is located within the structure so as to be physically responsive to transitory and permanent distortions of the structure resulting from extrinsic and intrinsic sources. The structure further includes applying an electrical potential to at least one of the first and second conductive layers so as to generate an electrical signal from the electrical element, sensing changes in the electrical signal generated by the electrical element in response to the electrical element physically responding to the transitory and permanent distortions, and transmitting the changes in the electrical signal to a location remote from the structure.

Growing community of inventors

Conrad, IA, United States of America

Michael Andrew Holland