Patents by Inventor Chi-Houng E. Lu

Chi-Houng E. Lu has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Apparatus and method for controlled application of railway friction modifying agent
    Patent number: 7594682
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling an application of a friction modifying agent to an area of contact between a railway wheel and a railway rail over which the wheel is traversing to selectively modify the coefficient of friction at the contact area. A sensor is used for detecting a parameter relating to the operation of the railway train. A controller is responsive to the sensor for selecting one or more of a plurality of friction modifying agents and controls the application of the agent to the rail as a function of the parameter. An applicator is responsive to the controller and applies the friction modifying agent to the area of contact between the railway wheel and rail. A second application of the agent may be predicated upon the effectiveness of a first application of the agent. The selection of the appropriate agent may include a consideration of a current location of the railway vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Vishwesh M. Palekar, Anthony Giammarise, Chi-Houng E. Lu, John Polley
  • Railway train friction management and control system and method
    Patent number: 6893058
    Abstract: A system and method for friction management for managing and controlling an application of a friction modifying agent to an area of contact between a railway wheel and a railway rail over which the wheel is traversing to selectively modify the coefficient of friction at the contact area. The system comprises a sensor for detecting a parameter relating to the operation of the railway train. A controller is responsive to the sensor and controls the application of a friction modifying agent to the rail as a function of the parameter. An applicator is responsive to the controller and applies the friction modifying agent to the area of contact between the railway wheel and rail. The invention also includes a method for railway train friction management for managing and controlling the application of friction modifying agent to an area of contact between railway wheel and railway rail over which the wheel is traversing to selectively modify the coefficient of friction at the contact area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Vishwesh M. Palekar, Anthony Giammarise, Chi-Houng E. Lu, John Polley
  • Railway train friction management and control system and method
    Publication number: 20040075280
    Abstract: A system and method for friction management for managing and controlling an application of a friction modifying agent to an area of contact between a railway wheel and a railway rail over which the wheel is traversing to selectively modify the coefficient of friction at the contact area. The system comprises a sensor for detecting a parameter relating to the operation of the railway train. A controller is responsive to the sensor and controls the application of a friction modifying agent to the rail as a function of the parameter. An applicator is responsive to the controller and applies the friction modifying agent to the area of contact between the railway wheel and rail. The invention also includes a method for railway train friction management for managing and controlling the application of friction modifying agent to an area of contact between railway wheel and railway rail over which the wheel is traversing to selectively modify the coefficient of friction at the contact area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Vishwesh M. Palekar, Anthony Giammarise, Chi-Houng E. Lu, John Polley