Patents by Inventor John K. Kesler

John K. Kesler 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: 5791063
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for accurately locating a train or a track repair vehicle along the track, or to locate accurately a track defect. When measuring track geometry, i.e. gage, cross level, warp, the measuring device moves foot by foot along the track and senses and stores a historical profile of various track geometry parameters. The historical profile is stored in a form usable in a processor in the geometry measuring equipment on a train or repair vehicle. The vehicle is run for a set distance to generate a real time profile which is correlated with the historical profile to get a match and a starting location. Then the vehicle proceeds foot by foot correlating the real time profile with the historical one so that an exact location on a specific track can be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Ensco, Inc.
    Inventors: John K. Kesler, Robert J. McCown, Thomas D. Gamble, Brian E. Mee
  • Patent number: 5036594
    Abstract: The crosslevel measuring adapter includes a battery-powered electronic level sensor, a processor unit, a display, and data, display and power switches mounted in a housing through which an inclination measuring bar passes. The adapter unit may be mounted anywhere intermediate the ends of the bar which engage spaced railroad tracks during a measurement cycle. When the power switch is activated, the adapter initiates a zero mode to determine an automatic zero offset value to be automatically applied to subsequent crosslevel measurement values. The adapter calculates warp and crosslevel index values from a plurality of crosslevel measurements, and if the warp or crosslevel index values exceed respective threshold levels, automatic display of the value is initiated. Otherwise, measured crosslevel values are automatically displayed and calculated values are displayed by activation of the display switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Assignee: Ensco, Inc.
    Inventors: John K. Kesler, William L. Jordan
  • Patent number: 4875366
    Abstract: The apparatus and method for the field measurement of bearing lubricant involves obtaining a control pressure value which is indicative of the pressure which would be generated by injecting a known, controlled volume of air or gas into a test bearing at the existing ambient temperature and pressure. Then, the same controlled volume of air or gas is injected through a valve controlled opening in the test bearing housing by an injection fixture which is sealed to the housing and which is connected to an injector for such controlled volume. Once the controlled volume is injected, the actual pressure in the test bearing is sensed and compared with the control pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1989
    Assignee: ENSCO. Inc.
    Inventors: John K. Kesler, Robert J. McCown, John J. Shia