Patents by Inventor Joel S. Howard

Joel S. Howard 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).

  • Ballast discharge system
    Patent number: 6758147
    Abstract: A cargo discharge railcar for comprising a generally rectangular base structure, a plurality of walls coupled to the base structure defining an enclosure for carrying cargo, a hopper portion coupled to the base structure, a discharge gate coupled to the hopper portion, a control system coupled to the discharge gate for opening and closing the discharge gate, a central processing unit for controlling the control system, and a global positioning system receiver electrically coupled to the central processing unit for receiving longitude and latitude data from a global positioning system transmitter orbiting the Earth. The discharge gate is adapted to be selectively opened and closed based in part upon the longitude and latitude of the cargo discharge railcar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Co.
    Inventors: Joel S. Howard, William McCarthy
  • Ballast discharge system
    Publication number: 20020073882
    Abstract: A cargo discharge railcar for comprising a generally rectangular base structure, a plurality of walls coupled to the base structure defining an enclosure for carrying cargo, a hopper portion coupled to the base structure, a discharge gate coupled to the hopper portion, a control system coupled to the discharge gate for opening and closing the discharge gate, a central processing unit for controlling the control system, and a global positioning system receiver electrically coupled to the central processing unit for receiving longitude and latitude data from a global positioning system transmitter orbiting the Earth. The discharge gate is adapted to be selectively opened and closed based in part upon the longitude and latitude of the cargo discharge railcar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Joel S. Howard, William McCarthy