Mark A Bergene

US Patent:

6935434, Aug 30, 2005

Filed:

Mar 12, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/799107

Inventors:

David Joseph Easton - Cedar Falls IA, US
Bruce Craig Newendorp - Cedar Falls IA, US
Mark Allen Bergene - Cedar Falls IA, US

Assignee:

Deere & Company - Moline IL

International Classification:

A01B063/112

US Classification:

172 7, 172439, 701 50

Abstract:

A hitch control system controls a vehicle hitch to which implements can be attached. The hitch control system includes a spring-centered primary command lever which is manually moveable from a centered position to deflected positions, and which automatically returns to the centered position when released from a deflected position. A control unit generates a hitch command signal in part as a function of the lever position. The control unit has a closed-loop control mode wherein the valve command signal is generated in response to parameter, such as position and draft force, and the hitch command signal. The control unit moves the hitch in a step-wise manner by a predetermined amount in response to momentary deflection of the command lever to one of the deflected positions, and the amount of hitch movement is independent of an amount and duration of deflection of the command lever if the duration is not more than a predetermined duration.

US Patent:

62403516, May 29, 2001

Filed:

Sep 29, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/408368

Inventors:

Yifei Hou - Waterloo IA
Sanjay Ishvarlal Mistry - Cedar Falls IA
Mark Allen Bergene - Cedar Falls IA
Scott Allen Toppin - Cedar Falls IA

Assignee:

Deere & Company - Moline IL

International Classification:

B62D 1110
B62D 1112

US Classification:

701 41

Abstract:

A control system is provided for a tracked vehicle drive/steering system having an engine driven hydraulic steering pump which drives a hydraulic steering motor. The steering pump is responsive to steering control signals representing a status of an operator manipulated steering wheel. The steering motor provides an input to a differential track drive mechanism which responds to manipulation of the steering wheel and drives left and right tracks to turn the vehicle. The control system includes a control unit which receives signals from an engine speed sensor, a steering motor rotation speed and direction sensor, and the steering control signals. The control unit, when the steering control signals indicate that the steering wheel is turned in a direction opposite to a direction of rotation of the steering motor, generating and saving a first ratio value representing a ratio of the motor speed to the pump speed. Then, if the steering control signal is unchanged after a certain time duration, the control unit generates and saves a second ratio value representing a later ratio of the motor speed to the pump speed. The control unit then calculates a difference value representing a difference between the first and second ratio values, and generates a fault signal if the difference value has a magnitude which is less than a predetermined magnitude.

US Patent:

48118117, Mar 14, 1989

Filed:

Feb 16, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/155772

Inventors:

Mark A. Bergene - Cedar Falls IA

Assignee:

Deere & Company - Moline IL

International Classification:

B60K 2308

US Classification:

180244

Abstract:

A clutch control system for the front wheel drive clutch of a four-wheel drive vehicle engages the front wheel drive clutch when both service brakes are simultaneously released or simultaneously applied, but disengages the clutch when only the left or the right service brake alone is applied. The control system includes three brake-operated switches, a manually-operated switch and a speed responsive switch connected to the solenoid of a front wheel drive clutch control valve.

US Patent:

61705845, Jan 9, 2001

Filed:

Sep 29, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/408369

Inventors:

Sanjay Ishvarlal Mistry - Cedar Falls IA
Yifei Hou - Waterloo IA
Mark Allen Bergene - Cedar Falls IA
Scott Allen Toppin - Cedar Falls IA

Assignee:

Deere & Company - Moline IL

International Classification:

B62D 1100

US Classification:

180 644

Abstract:

A control system is provided for a tracked vehicle drive/steering system having an engine driven hydraulic steering pump which drives a hydraulic steering motor. The steering pump is responsive to steering control signals representing a status of an operator manipulated steering wheel. The steering motor provides an input to a differential track drive mechanism which responds to manipulation of the steering wheel and drives left and right tracks to turn the vehicle. The control system includes a control unit which receives signals from an engine speed sensor, a steering motor rotation speed and direction sensor, and the steering control signals. The control unit calculates a motor speed threshold value as a function of sensed engine speed and steering control signals, and generates a fault signal as a function of a relationship between the steering motor speed signal and a motor speed threshold value. The control unit generates an overspeed fault signal when the steering motor speed signal is greater than the motor speed threshold value or less than a negative motor speed threshold value, and generates a data conflict fault signal when the steering motor speed signal is less than a negative minimum motor speed threshold value or greater than a minimum motor speed threshold value. The control unit, when the vehicle is not being commanded to turn by the steering control signals, generates a minimum threshold value, and generates an overspeed fault signal when the motor speed signal is greater than the minimum threshold value or is less than a negative minimum threshold value.

US Patent:

50124153, Apr 30, 1991

Filed:

Jan 23, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/469655

Inventors:

Thomas E. Boe - Grundy County IA
Mark A. Bergene - Cedar Falls IA
Carl E. Kittle - Cedar Falls IA
Gregory E. Sparks - Waterloo IA

Assignee:

Deere & Company - Moline IL

International Classification:

A01B 63112

US Classification:

36442407

Abstract:

A microprocessor-based control system includes an automatic calibration and configuration feature. A calibration and configuration algorithm operates to establish the sensor ranges of all sensors installed and disables certain configurable features if the associated sensors are not present. The algorithm also provides a functional test of the control system during the calibration process.

US Patent:

62160729, Apr 10, 2001

Filed:

Nov 23, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/447360

Inventors:

Thomas Eugene Boe - Cedar Falls IA
Mark Allen Bergene - Cedar Falls IA
Richard James Livdahl - Fargo ND

Assignee:

Deere & Company - Moline IL

International Classification:

A01B 63112
B60K 2816

US Classification:

701 50

Abstract:

A vehicle/implement hitch control system is responsive to a wheel slip signal indicative of the slippage of the driven wheels of the vehicle. The control system generates an integrated slip signal using an integration function, generates a proportional slip signal using a proportional function, and generates a combined slip signal as a combination of the integrated slip signal and the proportional slip signal. An operator-controllable slip response adjuster generates slip response signals. A hitch control signal is generated as a function of the slip response signal and the combined slip signal, so that the operator can vary the response of the hitch control signal to the integrated slip signal, to a mixture of the integrated slip signal, and to various multiples of the proportional slip signal only.

US Patent:

48785598, Nov 7, 1989

Filed:

Oct 14, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/257574

Inventors:

Seaton Moon - Cedar Falls IA
Mark A. Bergene - Cedar Falls IA

Assignee:

Deere & Company - Moline IL

International Classification:

B60K 2308

US Classification:

180244

Abstract:

A clutch control system for the front wheel drive clutch of a four-wheel drive vehicle engages the front wheel drive clutch when both service brakes are simultaneously released or simultaneously applied, but disengages the clutch when only the left or the right service brake alone is applied. The control system includes three brake-operated switches, a manually-operated switch and a speed responsive switch connected to the solenoid of a front wheel drive clutch control valve.

US Patent:

49319671, Jun 5, 1990

Filed:

Jan 6, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/294537

Inventors:

Thomas E. Boe - Grundy County IA
Mark A. Bergene - Cedar Falls IA
Carl E. Kittle - Cedar Falls IA
Gregory E. Sparks - Waterloo IA

Assignee:

Deere & Company - Moline IL

International Classification:

A01B 63112

US Classification:

36457101

Abstract:

A microprocessor-based control system includes an automatic calibration and configuration feature. A calibration and configuration algorithm operates to establish the sensor ranges of all sensors installed and disables certain configurable features if the associated sensors are not present. The algorithm also provides a functional test of the control system during the calibration process.