Patents by Inventor John William Brand
John William Brand 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).
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Patent number: 11919552Abstract: A train control system uses sensory inputs related to operational parameters of a train for automatically scoring or classifying particular train driving strategies implemented by a machine learning model for a particular train operating on a predefined route or route segment. The train control system includes one or more predefined rules related to one or more of a first set of the operational parameters, wherein each of the rules defines a Boolean, true or false classification based on whether a particular train driving strategy results in one or more of the first set of operational parameters complying with the rule. One or more comparative key performance indicators are related to one or more of a second set of operational parameters, and are used to rank the particular train driving strategy for the predefined route or route segment relative to a different train driving strategy for the same or comparable route or route segment.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2020Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: Progress Rail Services CorporationInventors: Sammy Akif, Marcos Blanco Fernandes, Joseph Maverick White, John William Brand
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Patent number: 11858543Abstract: A train control system uses artificial intelligence for maintaining synchronization between centralized and distributed train control models. A machine learning engine receives training data from a data acquisition hub, a first set of output control commands from a centralized virtual system modeling engine, and a second set of output control commands from a distributed virtual system modeling engine. The machine learning engine compares the first set of output control commands and the second set of output control commands, and trains a learning system using the training data to enable the machine learning engine to safely mitigate any difference between the first and second sets of output control commands using a learning function including at least one learning parameter.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2020Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: Progress Rail Services CorporationInventors: Sammy Akif, John William Brand, Evan Paul Sevel, Frederick Gary Silcox, Jr.
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Publication number: 20230159069Abstract: A train control system includes independent virtual in-train forces modelling engines onboard each of a plurality of locomotives in a train. Each of the plurality of locomotives may also include an analytics engine and a calibration engine configured to assimilate, analyze, and calibrate real time information from other locomotives and from draft gears and couplers interconnecting the locomotives with determinations made by the independent virtual in-train forces modelling engine onboard the respective locomotive, with the plurality of locomotives of the train being configured to operate collectively and coordinate their own acceleration values based on a common goal of minimizing in-train forces without being dependent on a command from a lead locomotive or central command.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2021Publication date: May 25, 2023Applicant: Progress Rail Services CorporationInventors: John William Brand, Thomas Wade Goforth, Evan Paul Sevel
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Publication number: 20220194440Abstract: A train control system uses artificial intelligence for maintaining synchronization between centralized and distributed train control models. A machine learning engine receives training data from a data acquisition hub, a first set of output control commands from a centralized virtual system modeling engine, and a second set of output control commands from a distributed virtual system modeling engine. The machine learning engine compares the first set of output control commands and the second set of output control commands, and trains a learning system using the training data to enable the machine learning engine to safely mitigate any difference between the first and second sets of output control commands using a learning function including at least one learning parameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2020Publication date: June 23, 2022Applicant: PROGRESS RAIL SERVICES CORPORATIONInventors: Sammy AKIF, John William BRAND, Evan Paul SEVEL, Frederick Gary SILCOX, JR.
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Publication number: 20220194446Abstract: A train control system uses sensory inputs related to operational parameters of a train for automatically scoring or classifying particular train driving strategies implemented by a machine learning model for a particular train operating on a predefined route or route segment. The train control system includes one or more predefined rules related to one or more of a first set of the operational parameters, wherein each of the rules defines a Boolean, true or false classification based on whether a particular train driving strategy results in one or more of the first set of operational parameters complying with the rule. One or more comparative key performance indicators are related to one or more of a second set of operational parameters, and are used to rank the particular train driving strategy for the predefined route or route segment relative to a different train driving strategy for the same or comparable route or route segment.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2020Publication date: June 23, 2022Applicant: PROGRESS RAIL SERVICES CORPORATIONInventors: Sammy AKIF, Marcos Blanco FERNANDES, Joseph Maverick WHITE, John William BRAND
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Patent number: 9815470Abstract: An energy management system and method for a vehicle system operate the vehicle system according to a current trip plan as the vehicle system travels along a route during a trip. The current trip plan designates operational settings of the vehicle system. The system and method also revise the current trip plan into a revised trip plan responsive to current, actual operation of the vehicle system differing from the current trip plan by at least a designated threshold amount. The revised trip plan designates operational settings of the vehicle system and includes an initial designated operational setting that matches the current, actual operation of the vehicle system.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2016Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Juli-Ann Luther, Jeffrey Twichel, Brian Nedward Meyer, Joseph Daniel Wakeman, Swapna Rameshbabu Gaikwad, John William Brand, James Brooks, David Allen Eldredge, Robert James Foy, Kevin Kapp, Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, William Martin, James Andrew Napolitano, Saravanan Thiyagarajan, Eric Vorndran
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Patent number: 9694835Abstract: A detection system for a rail vehicle includes a control module, which has a sensor input for receiving a signal from a sensor. The control module is configured to receive the signal and to output information responsive to the signal. In operation, the control module and a sensor are deployed on board the rail vehicle. The sensor is configured to generate the signal responsive to detecting a designated condition on board the rail vehicle. When the condition occurs, the sensor outputs the signal, which is received by the control module. Responsive to the signal, the control module outputs the information, such as communicating information of the signal content to another rail vehicle, or to an off board location. The designated condition may be unauthorized use of a handheld wireless device in a rail vehicle, or intruder entry into an unmanned rail vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2014Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jared Klineman Cooper, John William Brand, Robert Francis Bryant, Scott William Dulmage, David Allen Eldredge, Robert James Foy, Samuel William Golden, John Welsh McElroy
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Publication number: 20160368495Abstract: An energy management system and method for a vehicle system operate the vehicle system according to a current trip plan as the vehicle system travels along a route during a trip. The current trip plan designates operational settings of the vehicle system. The system and method also revise the current trip plan into a revised trip plan responsive to current, actual operation of the vehicle system differing from the current trip plan by at least a designated threshold amount. The revised trip plan designates operational settings of the vehicle system and includes an initial designated operational setting that matches the current, actual operation of the vehicle system.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2016Publication date: December 22, 2016Inventors: Juli-Ann Luther, Jeffrey Twichel, Brian Nedward Meyer, Joseph Daniel Wakeman, Swapna Rameshbabu Gaikwad, John William Brand, James Brooks, David Allen Eldredge, Robert James Foy, Kevin Kapp, Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, William Martin, James Andrew Napolitano, Saravanan Thiyagarajan, Eric Vorndran
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Patent number: 9376971Abstract: An energy management system and method for a vehicle system operate the vehicle system according to a current trip plan as the vehicle system travels along a route during a trip. The current trip plan designates operational settings of the vehicle system. The system and method also revise the current trip plan into a revised trip plan responsive to current, actual operation of the vehicle system differing from the current trip plan by at least a designated threshold amount. The revised trip plan designates operational settings of the vehicle system and includes an initial designated operational setting that matches the current, actual operation of the vehicle system.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2015Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Juli-Ann Luther, Jeffrey Twichel, Brian Nedward Meyer, Joseph Daniel Wakeman, Swapna Rameshbabu Gaikwad, John William Brand, James Brooks, David Allen Eldredge, Robert James Foy, Kevin Kapp, Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, William Martin, James Andrew Napolitano, Saravanan Thiyagarajan, Eric Vorndran
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Patent number: 9221477Abstract: A rail vehicle includes of one or more locomotives and may further include one or more rail cars, and the rail vehicle further includes a locator element, a communications device and a control module located on the rail vehicle. The locator elements provide a location information of the rail vehicle to a control module. The control module is coupled to the communications device and the locator element. The control module determines control settings for controlling the operations of the communications device based on the location of the rail vehicle. The communications device sends and/or receives data, including communications data, off-board the rail vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2013Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jared Klineman Cooper, John William Brand, Nick David Nagrodsky, Keith Gilbertson
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Patent number: 9126608Abstract: A system including a vehicle control module configured to control a vehicle system according to an operating plan. The operating plan designates one or more first tractive operations or braking operations to be implemented by the vehicle system along a trip. The system also includes a planning module for generating a transition plan in response to a deviation from the operating plan. The transition plan designates one or more second tractive operations or braking operations to be implemented by the vehicle system as the vehicle system travels toward an approaching location from a second location where the vehicle system deviates from the operating plan. The planning module is further configured to generate a prospective plan in response to the deviation. The prospective plan is configured to be implemented by the vehicle system when the vehicle system at least one of moves past the approaching location or completes the transition plan.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2012Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kevin L Kapp, David Allen Eldredge, Robert James Foy, Joseph Daniel Wakeman, John William Brand
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Publication number: 20150232097Abstract: An energy management system and method for a vehicle system operate the vehicle system according to a current trip plan as the vehicle system travels along a route during a trip. The current trip plan designates operational settings of the vehicle system. The system and method also revise the current trip plan into a revised trip plan responsive to current, actual operation of the vehicle system differing from the current trip plan by at least a designated threshold amount. The revised trip plan designates operational settings of the vehicle system and includes an initial designated operational setting that matches the current, actual operation of the vehicle system.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2015Publication date: August 20, 2015Inventors: Juli-Ann Luther, Jeffrey Twichel, Brian Nedward Meyer, Joseph Daniel Wakeman, Swapna Rameshbabu Gaikwad, John William Brand, James Brooks, David Allen Eldredge, Robert James Foy, Kevin Kapp, Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, William Martin, James Andrew Napolitano, Saravanan Thiyagarajan, Eric Vorndran
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Publication number: 20150076290Abstract: A detection system for a rail vehicle includes a control module, which has a sensor input for receiving a signal from a sensor. The control module is configured to receive the signal and to output information responsive to the signal. In operation, the control module and a sensor are deployed on board the rail vehicle. The sensor is configured to generate the signal responsive to detecting a designated condition on board the rail vehicle. When the condition occurs, the sensor outputs the signal, which is received by the control module. Responsive to the signal, the control module outputs the information, such as communicating information of the signal content to another rail vehicle, or to an off board location. The designated condition may be unauthorized use of a handheld wireless device in a rail vehicle, or intruder entry into an unmanned rail vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2014Publication date: March 19, 2015Inventors: Jared Klineman Cooper, John William Brand, Robert Francis Bryant, Scott William Dulmage, David Allen Eldredge, Robert James Foy, Samuel William Golden, John Welsh McElroy
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Publication number: 20140107876Abstract: A system including a vehicle control module configured to control a vehicle system according to an operating plan. The operating plan designates one or more first tractive operations or braking operations to be implemented by the vehicle system along a trip. The system also includes a planning module for generating a transition plan in response to a deviation from the operating plan. The transition plan designates one or more second tractive operations or braking operations to be implemented by the vehicle system as the vehicle system travels toward an approaching location from a second location where the vehicle system deviates from the operating plan. The planning module is further configured to generate a prospective plan in response to the deviation. The prospective plan to be implemented by the vehicle system when the vehicle system at least one of moves past the approaching location or completes the transition plan.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2012Publication date: April 17, 2014Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Kevin L. KAPP, David Allen ELDREDGE, Robert James FOY, Joseph Daniel WAKEMAN, John William BRAND
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Publication number: 20130299645Abstract: A rail vehicle includes of one or more locomotives and may further include one or more rail cars, and the rail vehicle further includes a locator element, a communications device and a control module located on the rail vehicle. The locator elements provide a location information of the rail vehicle to a control module. The control module is coupled to the communications device and the locator element. The control module determines control settings for controlling the operations of the communications device based on the location of the rail vehicle. The communications device sends and/or receives data, including communications data, off-board the rail vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2013Publication date: November 14, 2013Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Jared Klineman Cooper, John William Brand, Nick David Nagrodsky, Keith Gilbertson
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Patent number: 8521447Abstract: A method that includes comparing a first brake pressure measured at a first transducer that is part of a braking system on a lead powered unit of a distributed power (DP) system to a second brake pressure measured at a second transducer that is part of a braking system on a remote powered unit of the DP system. The method also includes determining whether the second transducer is functioning within designated operational parameters when the DP system is operating in a DP mode based on comparing the first brake pressure to the second brake pressure.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2012Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Eugene A. Smith, David Carroll Teeter, John William Brand
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Patent number: 8494695Abstract: A rail vehicle includes of one or more locomotives and may further include one or more rail cars, and the rail vehicle further includes a locator element, a communications device and a control module located on the rail vehicle. The locator elements provide a location information of the rail vehicle to a control module. The control module is coupled to the communications device and the locator element. The control module determines control settings for controlling the operations of the communications device based on the location of the rail vehicle. The communications device sends and/or receives data, including communications data, off-board the rail vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2009Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jared Klineman Cooper, John William Brand, Nick David Nagrodsky, Keith Gilbertson
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Publication number: 20130168503Abstract: A detection system for a rail vehicle includes a control module, which has a sensor, input for receiving a signal from a sensor. The control module is configured to receive the signal and to output information responsive to the signal. In operation, the control module and a sensor are deployed on board the rail vehicle. The sensor is configured to generate the signal responsive to detecting a designated condition on board the rail vehicle. When the condition occurs, the sensor outputs the signal, which is received by the control module. Responsive to the signal, the control module outputs the information, such as communicating information of the signal content to another rail vehicle, or to an off board location. The designated condition may be unauthorized use of a handheld wireless device in a rail vehicle, or intruder entry into an unmanned rail vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2011Publication date: July 4, 2013Inventors: Jared Klineman Cooper, John William Brand, Robert Francis Bryant, Scott William Dulmage, David Allen Eldredge, Robert James Foy, Samuel William Golden, John Welsh Mcelroy
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Patent number: 8400270Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a binary status of a device are provided. A method for detecting an operating status of a device using a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is provided. The method includes coupling a first portion of the RFID tag to a first portion of the device and coupling a second portion of the RFID tag to a second portion of the device, wherein the first portion of the device is moveable with respect to the second portion of the device, changing a position of the first portion of the device with respect to a position of the second portion of the device, detecting the change in position of the first device portion based on the movement of the first RFID tag portion, wherein the movement causes a change in a status of an RFID signal emitted by the RFID tag, and determining the status of the device based on the change in the RFID signal status.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2008Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: John William Brand
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Patent number: 8310070Abstract: A method for generating electricity along a roadway is provided. The method includes actuating an energy transfer assembly coupled to the roadway, wherein the energy transfer assembly is actuated by a force acting upon the roadway. The method also includes generating electricity at a generator coupled to the energy transfer assembly, the generator being driven by actuation of the energy transfer assembly.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2008Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: John William Brand, Daniel Joseph Rush, Mark Bradshaw Kraeling, Steven Andrew Kellner, Christopher Louis Rekucki, Armin H. Pfoh, Brian William Schroeck