Patents by Inventor Donald J. Melpolder

Donald J. Melpolder 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).

  • Diesel engine control
    Patent number: 7127345
    Abstract: A diesel engine (10) wherein both the operating speed of the engine (RPM) and the timing of the fuel injection into the engine (AA) are cooperatively controlled to be responsive to both the temperature and the pressure of the air (30) used for combustion. A controller (44) receives a temperature signal (28), an air pressure signal (36), and a power demand signal (24) and executes control logic to produce a fuel injection control signal (46) and an engine speed control signal (48) for controlling a fuel injection system (16). A control strategy based on engine inlet air temperature and pressure or manifold air density may be useful for variable speed and power applications. For applications with discreet speed and power points, such as a locomotive, a speed and timing control strategy based on ambient temperature and pressure is useful for maximizing power during high altitude and/or high ambient/inlet air temperature operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gong Chen, Richard J. McGowan, Donald J. Melpolder, Shawn Michael Gallagher, John Patrick Dowell, Kyle Craig Stott
  • Railroad locomotive traction motor isolation
    Patent number: 6497182
    Abstract: A railroad locomotive includes traction motors for propelling the locomotive, and an isolation switch disposed in signal communication with at least one of the traction motors for isolating a faulting motor from the other traction motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Donald J. Melpolder, Michael S. Lupichuk
  • Railroad locomotive traction motor isolation
    Publication number: 20010042490
    Abstract: A railroad locomotive includes traction motors for propelling the locomotive, and an isolation switch disposed in signal communication with at least one of the traction motors for isolating a faulting motor from the other traction motors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Inventors: Donald J. Melpolder, Michael S. Lupichuk