Patents by Inventor Edgar Thomas Balch

Edgar Thomas Balch 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).

  • Traction vehicle adhesion control system without ground speed measurement
    Patent number: 6208097
    Abstract: An adhesion control system for a locomotive is provided for achieving and maintaining a maximum adhesion value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Suresh Baddam Reddy, Jeffrey Louis Diagle, Bret Dwayne Worden, Harry Kirk Mathews, Jr., Edgar Thomas Balch, Allan John Connolly, Ajith K. Kumar
  • Torque maximization and vibration control for AC locomotives
    Patent number: 5841254
    Abstract: A traction control system for an ac locomotive optimizes traction performance by separately controlling the allowable creep level of each individual axle and by minimizing torsional vibration per axle. The traction control system includes a torque maximizer and a torsional vibration detector. The torque maximizer measures traction system performance levels and determines the desired torque maximizer state for maximizing traction performance of each individual axle. The torsional vibration detector digitally processes estimated torque feedback of each traction motor in order to detect an unacceptable level of torsional vibration. The outputs of the torque maximizer and the torsional vibration detector are provided to a creep modulator which processes these inputs in order to control the operating creep level of each locomotive axle. As a result, traction performance is improved while minimizing torsional vibration and operating noise levels due to wheel/rail squeal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Edgar Thomas Balch, Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Luzern Arthur Richter, Sean Erin Gleason