Patents by Inventor Colin Burton

Colin Burton 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).

  • Patent number: 7395139
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for monitoring condition of a railways installation such as a points machine. The system includes a plurality of sensors (S1, S2, S3-SN) associated with elements of the installation for monitoring parameters indicative of operating capability of the installation. The system includes means (12, 23) for processing the monitored parameters to determine whether the parameters are changing relative to reference values and to determine whether the changes are indicative of an increased risk of malfunction in the installation. The processing means may include a digital computer programmed with condition monitoring and fault detection software. A method of monitoring condition of a railways installation is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignees: Westinghouse Rail Systems Limited, Invensys Rail Systems Australia Limited, Safetran Systems Corporation, Invensys Systems Inc., Westinghouse Brake And Signal Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Colin Burton, Stephen Baker, Jay Walser, Manus Henry
  • Patent number: 6956494
    Abstract: An LED signal lamp comprises at least two separate LED arrays which have separate power feeds and wherein the LEDs of the arrays are positioned with respect to each other such that when lit they provide a composite light signal output and such that when the LEDs of only one of the two arrays are lit they provide a light signal with a visible distinctive pattern. A distinctive pattern is revealed, either lit or dark. Typically this pattern may be formed as a letter such as “X” or “F” or may be formed as a striped effect, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Westinghouse Brake and Signal Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Frank George Tichborne, Colin Burton
  • Publication number: 20040167686
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for monitoring condition of a railways installation such as a points machine. The system includes a plurality of sensors (S1, S2, S3 - - - SN) associated with elements of the installation for monitoring parameters indicative of operating capability of the installation. The system includes means (12, 23) for processing the monitored parameters to determine whether the parameters are changing relative to reference values and to determine whether the changes are indicative of an increased risk of malfunction in the installation. The processing means may include a digital computer programmed with condition monitoring and fault detection software. A method of monitoring condition of a railways installation is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventors: Stephen Baker, Jay Walser, Colin Burton, Manus Henry
  • Publication number: 20030137427
    Abstract: An LED signal lamp comprises at least two separate LED arrays which have separate power feeds and wherein the LEDs of the arrays are positioned with respect to each other such that when lit they provide a composite light signal output and such that when the LEDs of only one of the two arrays are lit they provide a light signal with a visible distinctive pattern. A distinctive pattern is revealed, either lit or dark. Typically this pattern may be formed as a letter such as “X” or “F” or may be formed as a striped effect, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventors: Frank George Tichborne, Colin Burton
  • Patent number: 6032906
    Abstract: A point drive unit (10) is disclosed for driving railway points to move via a connecting means of the points located generally centrally between two of the rails (3) of the railway track. The unit comprises a housing (11, 12) adapted to be installed between the two of the rails; a cylinder (18) enclosing a piston (19) which is moveable for driving the points, the cylinder being mounted within the housing at a location laterally offset to one side of the housing; control means mounted within the housing at a location laterally adjacent the cylinder for controlling the supply of fluid to the cylinder to control the movement of the piston; and an offset coupling (20) for coupling the piston to the connecting means so that the piston is laterally offset from the connecting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Westinghouse Brake and Signal Holdings Limited
    Inventors: William George Potter, Colin Burton, Lee Antony Jones