Deere & Company

Steven A Reich

Neil S Erickson

Dale J Swehla

Micheal A Langner

Matthew J Graeser

Christopher L Bradshaw

Richard T Hurban

Micheal Langner

A distributed load bearing including a roller, an inner flex ring, a pin and a load distribution spring. The inner flex ring is positioned radially inwards of the roller, and the pin is positioned radially inwards of the inner flex ring, and the load distribution spring is positioned in a cavity defined by the pin and the inner flex ring. The load distribution spring is preloaded, so as to apply a force to the pin and so as to apply a plurality of radially outward forces to the inner flex ring.

Distributed load bearing with an inner flex ring

A distributed load bearing including an outer flex ring, a load distribution spring, and a retainer. The outer flex ring is configured to be positioned radially outwards of a shaft. The load distribution spring is preloaded and positioned radially outwards of the outer flex ring. A radially inner surface of the load distribution spring contacts the outer flex ring. The radially inner surface is an arc defined by a first radius when the load distribution spring is in a lower load distribution mode, and a second radius when the load distribution spring is in a higher load distribution mode. The retainer is positioned radially outwards of the load distribution spring, and the retainer angularly and radially positions the load distribution spring.

Distributed load bearing with an outer flex ring

Valvetrain of an internal combustion engine, including a rocker support, a fulcrum, and a rocker. The rocker support is mounted to a cylinder head and fixed relative thereto. The rocker is positioned about the rocker support and partially in an axial aligning groove of the rocker support. The fulcrum is sandwiched between the rocker support and the rocker. The rocker oscillates about the fulcrum as forces are received and applied to a first and a second end of the rocker.

Valvetrain for an engine

A thermal actuator includes a housing containing a stack of deformable discs. A spring maintains a movable follower in engagement with the disc at the end of the stack. At least some of the discs are active snap-acting thermostatic bimetallic discs with first and second structural states wherein those discs are concave in first and second directions at different temperatures. The stack includes a first kind of bimetallic disc which snaps between its structural states at lower transition temperature and a second kind bimetallic disc which snaps between its structural states at a higher transition temperature. The first and second kinds of discs are alternately arranged in the stack. In one embodiment, passive discs which remain in a single structural state are disposed between adjacent pairs of the active discs.

Multiple element thermal actuator

Disclosed herein is a hydraulic aneroid control consisting of a housing containing a hydraulic piston and a flow control mechanism. The housing attaches to the governor housing so that the piston can move the fuel control shaft which engages the aneroid. When the engine is started, engine oil pressure acts on the piston to engage the aneroid. When the engine is not running, spring force moves the piston and fuel control shaft to the disengage position. The flow control mechanism restricts oil flow into the cylinder thus slowing the piston movement and increasing the time to engagement so that even though engine oil comes up to pressure almost immediately upon cranking of the engine, aneroid engagement is delayed until after the engine starts. The flow control mechanism also includes a check valve to bypass the flow restriction when the engine is shut down so that the aneroid is disengaged quickly and the engine has a fast re-start capability. In the preferred embodiment of the invention the flow restriction takes the form of a bore with a wire loosely positioned therein, the bore and wire forming a capillary.

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Washoe Valley, NV, United States of America

Steven A Reich