Steven Charles Erickson

US Patent:

6533046, Mar 18, 2003

Filed:

Oct 2, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/970093

Inventors:

Matthew Arlen Mills - Pella IA
Gregg Alan Austin - Pella IA
Steven C. Erickson - Pella IA

Assignee:

Vermeer Manufacturing Company - Pella IA

International Classification:

E21B 1902

US Classification:

175 52, 414 2262

Abstract:

A drilling apparatus including a magazine for holding a plurality of pipes, and a drive head is disclosed herein. The drive head includes a drive member adapted to be coupled to a pipe. The drive member is aligned along a drive axis. The drilling apparatus includes a first drive mechanism for rotating the drive member about the drive axis, and a second drive mechanism for moving the drive member axially along the drive axis. The drilling apparatus also includes a pipe transfer member for transferring pipes between the magazine and the drive head. The pipe transfer member defines a pipe receiving region for receiving a pipe. The pipe transfer member is movable between a first orientation in which the pipe receiving region is located under the magazine, and a second orientation in which the pipe receiving region is located adjacent to the drive axis of the drive head. The drilling apparatus further includes a pipe retainer that moves to a retaining position only when the pipe receiving region is located under the magazine.

US Patent:

6557651, May 6, 2003

Filed:

Aug 11, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/637410

Inventors:

Duane E. Norby - Otley IA
Brian J. Bischel - Pella IA
Steven Erickson - Pella IA
Gregg A. Austin - Pella IA
Scott A. Rempe - Pella IA

Assignee:

Vermeer Manufacturing Company - Pella IA

International Classification:

E21D 1700

US Classification:

175 52, 184 79, 184 153, 184 6, 222249

Abstract:

A lubrication system and method for dispensing a lubricant to threads of a drill rod and/or a spindle of a horizontal directional drilling (HDD) machine during a rod loading or unloading operation employs a pumping system having a lubricant reservoir, a pump, an applicator, and a lubricant supply conduit coupled between the pump and applicator. A heating unit is coupled to the pumping station and heats lubricant contained within the pumping system. A control unit coupled to the pumping system activates the pumping system to dispense a volume of lubricant from the applicator to the threads of the drill rod and/or spindle in response to an operator signal or an HDD machine control signal. A lubricant may be sprayed onto the spindle/drill rod threads. Alternatively, the lubricant may be communicated through a passageway defined within the spindle to one or more apertures defined within the threads of the spindle and/or the drill rod. The rate of lubrication application is preferably proportional to a rate of spindle rotation.

US Patent:

6814164, Nov 9, 2004

Filed:

Mar 18, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/391230

Inventors:

Matthew Arlen Mills - Pella IA
Gregg Alan Austin - Pella IA
Steven C. Erickson - Lake in the Hills IL

Assignee:

Vermeer Manufacturing Company - Pella IA

International Classification:

E21B 1920

US Classification:

175 52, 414 2262

Abstract:

A drilling apparatus including a magazine for holding a plurality of pipes, and a drive head is disclosed herein. The drive head includes a drive member adapted to be coupled to a pipe. The drive member is aligned along a drive axis. The drilling apparatus includes a first drive mechanism for rotating the drive member about the drive axis, and a second drive mechanism for moving the drive member axially along the drive axis. The drilling apparatus also includes a pipe transfer member for transferring pipes between the magazine and the drive head. The pipe transfer member defines a pipe receiving region for receiving a pipe. The pipe transfer member is movable between a first orientation in which the pipe receiving region is located under to the magazine, and a second orientation in which the pipe receiving region is located under the drive axis of the drive head.

US Patent:

7822514, Oct 26, 2010

Filed:

Dec 30, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/027858

Inventors:

Steven C. Erickson - Roseau MN, US

Assignee:

Polaris Industries Inc. - Medina MN

International Classification:

G06F 17/00
G06F 7/00
B60R 25/10

US Classification:

701 2, 701 1, 701 93, 701115, 34042613, 34042614, 34042615, 34042616, 34042617, 340904, 340936, 340989, 340991, 340992, 340993

Abstract:

A system is provided which is capable of controlling one or more parameters of a vehicle, such as vehicle speed or engine RPM. The system involves communication between a transmitter and a controller. The transmitter has memory containing information that corresponds to a vehicle parameter setting. The information is operatively transmitted from the transmitter to the controller. Once the controller receives the information, the vehicle parameter setting is identified by the controller. When the setting is identified, the controller may adjust at least one mechanism on the vehicle so as modify the vehicle parameter accordingly. One scenario in which the parameter modification is generally provided is if the controller determines that the vehicle parameter is exceeding the identified setting, which corresponds to the vehicle being operated at a level higher than that intended for the vehicle operator.

US Patent:

20110004384, Jan 6, 2011

Filed:

Sep 17, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/885089

Inventors:

Steven C. Erickson - Roseau MN, US

International Classification:

G06F 19/00

US Classification:

701 70, 701 1

Abstract:

A system is provided which is capable of controlling one or more parameters of a vehicle, such as vehicle speed or engine RPM. The system involves communication between a transmitter and a controller. The transmitter has memory containing information that corresponds to a vehicle parameter setting. The information is operatively transmitted from the transmitter to the controller. Once the controller receives the information, the vehicle parameter setting is identified by the controller. When the setting is identified, the controller may adjust at least one mechanism on the vehicle so as modify the vehicle parameter accordingly. One scenario in which the parameter modification is generally provided is if the controller determines that the vehicle parameter is exceeding the identified setting, which corresponds to the vehicle being operated at a level higher than that intended for the vehicle operator.

US Patent:

63325020, Dec 25, 2001

Filed:

May 28, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/321988

Inventors:

Matthew Arlen Mills - Pella IA
Gregg Alan Austin - Pella IA
Steven C. Erickson - Pella IA

Assignee:

Vermeer Manufacturing Company - Pella IA

International Classification:

E21B 1920
E21B 1914

US Classification:

175 52

Abstract:

A magazine for holding a plurality of pipes, and a drive head including a drive member adapted to be coupled to a pipe. The drive member is aligned along a drive axis. The drilling apparatus includes a first drive mechanism for rotating the drive member about the drive axis, and a second drive mechanism for moving the drive member axially along the drive axis. The drilling apparatus also includes a pipe transfer member for transferring pipes between the magazine and the drive head. The pipe transfer member defines a pipe receiving region for receiving a pipe. The pipe transfer member is movable between a first orientation in which the pipe receiving region is located adjacent to the magazine, and a second orientation in which the pipe receiving region is located adjacent to the drive axis of the drive head. The drilling apparatus further includes a magnet for magnetically attracting a pipe received at the pipe receiving region of the pipe transfer member at least when the pipe member is in the second orientation. The magnet is adapted to magnetically hold the pipe in coaxial alignment with the drive axis while the drive member of the drive head is being coupled to the pipe or uncoupled from the pipe.

US Patent:

20210206263, Jul 8, 2021

Filed:

Jan 26, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/158539

Inventors:

- Medina MN, US
Amber P. Malone - Stacy MN, US
Eric P. Nault - Dresser WI, US
Steven C. Erickson - Roseau MN, US
Brian R. Gillingham - Osceola WI, US
Ryan D. Carlson - Blaine MN, US

International Classification:

B60K 31/00
B60K 26/04
B60W 10/06
F02D 41/02
B63H 3/10
F02D 11/10
B60K 28/10

Abstract:

A recreational vehicle includes a seatbelt sensor configured to detect when a seatbelt is in an engaged position or a disengaged position and an engine control module in communication with the seatbelt sensor to automatically limit a maximum speed of the vehicle to a reduced maximum speed limit upon detection of the seatbelt is in the disengaged position.

US Patent:

20180361853, Dec 20, 2018

Filed:

Aug 24, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/111892

Inventors:

- Medina MN, US
Amber P. Malone - Stacy MN, US
Eric P. Nault - Dresser WI, US
Steven C. Erickson - Roseau MN, US
Brian R. Gillingham - Osceola WI, US
Ryan D. Carlson - Blaine MN, US

Assignee:

Polaris Industries Inc. - Medina MN

International Classification:

B60K 31/00
B63H 3/10
B60K 28/10
B60W 10/06
B60K 26/04
F02D 11/10
F02D 41/02
B60W 10/101
B60W 50/08
F02D 41/10
F02D 41/24
G01C 21/20

Abstract:

A recreational vehicle includes a seatbelt sensor configured to detect when a seatbelt is in an engaged position or a disengaged position and an engine control module in communication with the seatbelt sensor to automatically limit a maximum speed of the vehicle to a reduced maximum speed limit upon detection of the seatbelt is in the disengaged position.