Patents by Inventor Robert James Foy
Robert James Foy 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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Publication number: 20140180499Abstract: A communication system includes a first wireless communication device disposed onboard a vehicle system having two or more propulsion-generating vehicles that are mechanically interconnected with each other. The communication system also includes a controller configured to be disposed onboard the vehicle system and operatively connected with the first wireless communication device in order to control operations of the device. The controller is configured to direct the first wireless communication device to switch between operating in an off-board communication mode and an onboard communication mode. When the first wireless communication device is operating in the off-board communication mode, the device is configured to receive remote data signals from a location that is disposed off-board of the vehicle system.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2014Publication date: June 26, 2014Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Jared Klineman Cooper, Robert James Foy, David Michael Peltz, Eugene Smith, Steven Andrew Kellner, Brian William Schroeck, Keith Gilbertson, Joseph Forrest Noffsinger, Wolfgang Daum
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Patent number: 8725323Abstract: A method for controllably linking propulsion units in a vehicle consist includes transmitting a linking signal having an identity of a lead propulsion unit. A remote propulsion unit is remotely controlled by the lead unit when the identity matches a designated identity stored onboard the remote unit. A de-linking signal is transmitted from the lead unit when the lead unit is to be decoupled from the vehicle consist. The de-linking signal includes a replacement identity of a replacement propulsion unit. A replacement linking signal is transmitted from a second lead unit. The remote propulsion unit allows the second lead propulsion unit to remotely control the operations of the remote propulsion unit when replacement identity stored onboard the remote propulsion unit matches an identity that is communicated in the replacement linking signal.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2012Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jared Klineman Cooper, Brian Joseph McManus, Frank Wawrzyniak, Ralph C. Haddock, III, Robert James Foy, James Glen Corry
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Patent number: 8706327Abstract: A railway communication system (10) includes a transmitter (12) receiving an input and producing a communication signal (18). The communication signal (18) includes at least two different portions (20,22) for separately encoding respective indications (38,40) of the input. The system also includes a receiver (14) coupled to a controlled device, the receiver (14) extracting at least one of the respective indications (38,40) from the communication signal (18). The receiver controls the device responsive to the at least one extracted indications (38,40).Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2011Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: David Michael Peltz, Robert James Foy, Mark Bradshaw Kraeling, Mark Wheeler, Brian Lee Staton
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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: 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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Publication number: 20120318931Abstract: A method for controllably linking propulsion units in a vehicle consist includes transmitting a linking signal having an identity of a lead propulsion unit. A remote propulsion unit is remotely controlled by the lead unit when the identity matches a designated identity stored onboard the remote unit. A de-linking signal is transmitted from the lead unit when the lead unit is to be decoupled from the vehicle consist. The de-linking signal includes a replacement identity of a replacement propulsion unit. A replacement linking signal is transmitted from a second lead unit. The remote propulsion unit allows the second lead propulsion unit to remotely control the operations of the remote propulsion unit when replacement identity stored onboard the remote propulsion unit matches an identity that is communicated in the replacement linking signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2012Publication date: December 20, 2012Inventors: Jared Klineman Cooper, Brian Joseph McManus, Frank Wawrzyniak, Ralph C. Haddock, III, Robert James Foy, James Glen Corry
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Patent number: 8280566Abstract: In a locomotive consist having at least a lead locomotive and a remote locomotive with a distributed power system on each locomotive in the locomotive consist, a system for establishing distributed power operations of the locomotive consist from a single location, the system including a communication network providing communications to and from at least one distributed power system, and a distributed power setup unit in communication with the distributed power system by way of the communication network. The distributed power setup unit has at least one of a processor, display and an input device to allow a user to establish distributed power operations.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2006Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert James Foy, III, James Glen Corry
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Patent number: 8190315Abstract: An embodiment of the invention for conducting a distributed power train operation, comprises a controller at the remote unit for issuing commands to control the operation of the remote unit on a track, and responsive to a communication loss between the lead unit and the remote unit. A memory, accessible by the controller, comprises data relative to a track profile including a plurality of geographical coordinates of the track and data relative to one or more throttle positions or braking operations for the remote unit that are associated with the geographical coordinates. The controller receives data relative to geographical coordinates of the remote unit and upon a detection of the communication loss, the controller compares the geographical coordinates of the remote unit to the track profile geographical coordinates and issues one more commands associated with the operation of the remote unit.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2008Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Mark Bradshaw Kraeling, Robert James Foy, III, John William Brand
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Patent number: 8112189Abstract: A railway communication system (10) includes a transmitter (12) receiving an input and producing a communication signal (18). The communication signal (18) includes at least two different portions (20,22) for separately encoding respective indications (38,40) of the input. The system also includes a receiver (14) coupled to a controlled device, the receiver (14) extracting at least one of the respective indications (38,40) from the communication signal (18). The receiver controls the device responsive to the at least one extracted indications (38,40).Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2010Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: David Michael Peltz, Robert James Foy, Mark Bradshaw Kraeling, Mark Wheeler, Brian Lee Staton
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Publication number: 20110249628Abstract: A railway communication system (10) includes a transmitter (12) receiving an input and producing a communication signal (18). The communication signal (18) includes at least two different portions (20,22) for separately encoding respective indications (38,40) of the input. The system also includes a receiver (14) coupled to a controlled device, the receiver (14) extracting at least one of the respective indications (38,40) from the communication signal (18). The receiver controls the device responsive to the at least one extracted indications (38,40).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2011Publication date: October 13, 2011Inventors: David Michael Peltz, Robert James Foy, Mark Bradshaw Kraeling, Mark Wheeler, Brian Lee Staton
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Publication number: 20100299006Abstract: A railway communication system (10) includes a transmitter (12) receiving an input and producing a communication signal (18). The communication signal (18) includes at least two different portions (20,22) for separately encoding respective indications (38,40) of the input. The system also includes a receiver (14) coupled to a controlled device, the receiver (14) extracting at least one of the respective indications (38,40) from the communication signal (18). The receiver controls the device responsive to the at least one extracted indications (38,40).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2010Publication date: November 25, 2010Inventors: David Michael Peltz, Robert James Foy, Mark Bradshaw Kraeling, Mark Wheeler, Brian Lee Staton
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Patent number: 7783397Abstract: A railway communication system (10) includes a transmitter (12) receiving an input and producing a communication signal (18). The communication signal (18) includes at least two different portions (20,22) for separately encoding respective indications (38,40) of the input. The system also includes a receiver (14) coupled to a controlled device, the receiver (14) extracting at least one of the respective indications (38,40) from the communication signal (18). The receiver controls the device responsive to the at least one extracted indications (38,40).Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2004Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: David Michael Peltz, Robert James Foy, Mark Bradshaw Kraeling, Mark Wheeler, Brian Lee Staton
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Publication number: 20100130124Abstract: Communicating messages between an HOT device (48L) in a lead locomotive (14) and an EOT device (40) at an end-of-train position. The method comprises tuning a DP transceiver (28L) onboard a remote locomotive (12A) to an HOT/EOT communications channel frequency, transmitting a message from the EOT device (40) intended for the HOT device (48L) or transmitting a message from the HOT device (48L) intended for the EOT device (40), and receiving the message at the DP transceiver (28L). If the message was transmitted from EOT device (40), transmitting the message from the DP transceiver (28L) to HOT device (48L) and receiving and executing the message at the HOT device (48L). If the message was transmitted from the HOT device (48L), transmitting the message from the DP transceiver (28L) to the EOT device (40) and receiving and executing the message at the EOT device (40).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2008Publication date: May 27, 2010Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: David Carroll Teeter, Eugene Smith, James Glen Corry, Robert James Foy, James P. Schmitz
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Publication number: 20100049384Abstract: An embodiment of the invention for conducting a distributed power train operation, comprises a controller at the remote unit for issuing commands to control the operation of the remote unit on a track, and responsive to a communication loss between the lead unit and the remote unit. A memory, accessible by the controller, comprises data relative to a track profile including a plurality of geographical coordinates of the track and data relative to one or more throttle positions or braking operations for the remote unit that are associated with the geographical coordinates. The controller receives data relative to geographical coordinates of the remote unit and upon a detection of the communication loss, the controller compares the geographical coordinates of the remote unit to the track profile geographical coordinates and issues one more commands associated with the operation of the remote unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2008Publication date: February 25, 2010Inventors: Mark Bradshaw Kraeling, Robert James Foy, III, John William Brand
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Publication number: 20090187291Abstract: A method for operating a powered system, the method including determining whether a mission plan of the powered system is correct to satisfy at least one mission objective of the powered system, if not, updating information used to establish the mission plan, revising the mission plan based on the updated information to satisfy the at least one mission objective, and operating the powered system based on the revised mission plan. A system and a computer software code for operating a powered system are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2009Publication date: July 23, 2009Inventors: Wolfgang Daum, Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Glenn Robert Shaffer, Joseph Forrest Noffsinger, Robert James Foy, David Lowell McKay
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Patent number: 7395141Abstract: A method of distributed control of train throttle and braking includes transmitting an instruction to a remote power unit to apply at least one acceleration to the train at a future time; receiving the instruction; transmitting a confirmation that the remote power unit is armed to execute the instruction to a lead power unit; and computing a profile describing at least one acceleration to be applied to the train as it travels over a predetermined route. The computation is determined at least in part on whether or not the confirmation has been received by the lead power unit. The instructions may be contained in a profile which optimizes fuel consumption, emissions, and/or trip time. The accelerations may be carried out by direct control or by prompting an operator. In another aspect, the confirmed instructions may be used to ensure braking in accordance with a predetermined braking curve.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2007Date of Patent: July 1, 2008Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Daryl William Seck, Joseph Forrest Noffsinger, Robert James Foy
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Publication number: 20070241237Abstract: In a locomotive consist having at least a lead locomotive and a remote locomotive with a distributed power system on each locomotive in the locomotive consist, a system for establishing distributed power operations of the locomotive consist from a single location, the system including a communication network providing communications to and from at least one distributed power system, and a distributed power setup unit in communication with the distributed power system by way of the communication network. The distributed power setup unit has at least one of a processor, display and an input device to allow a user to establish distributed power operations.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2006Publication date: October 18, 2007Inventors: Robert James Foy, James Glenn Corry
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Patent number: 7263647Abstract: A communication system for a distributed locomotive power/brake control system for a railroad train having a lead locomotive and one or more remote locomotives. Command and status signals are communicated over the system between the lead and remote locomotives. Each communicated message includes an information segment comprising the command or status information, and an error control segment for detecting errors in the information segment. The error control segment further comprises cyclic redundancy code words and parity bits formed according to the horizontal or vertical parity of the information segment and the cyclic redundancy code words.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2002Date of Patent: August 28, 2007Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert Francis Bryant, David Carroll Teeter, Robert James Foy, Joseph Bibb Cain, Adrian Jones, Don Keith Johnson, Frank Sanzone, Dale Henry Delaruelle
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Patent number: 7257471Abstract: A communications device is provided for routing a locomotive over a track layout in a train yard. The locomotive is operable over a plurality of alternative track routes to reach a respective destination from a plurality of possible destinations in said track layout. The track layout includes a plurality of switches configured to alter a route for a locomotive running along the track layout. The communications device may include a first user display for use in commanding a desired destination for the locomotive within the track layout by setting the state of the switches along the route to the destination.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2005Date of Patent: August 14, 2007Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: David Kornick, Robert James Foy, Eric B. Moore, John Welsh McElroy, Chris Luevano, George Freeman
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Patent number: 7076343Abstract: A communications device is provided for controlling operation of an unmanned locomotive over a track layout in a train yard. The locomotive is operable over a plurality of alternative track routes to reach a respective destination from a plurality of possible destinations in said track layout. The track layout includes a plurality of switches configured to alter a route for a locomotive running along the track layout. The communications device may include a first user display for use in commanding a desired destination for the locomotive within the track layout by setting the state of the switches along the route to the destination. The communications device may further include a second user display for use in controlling movement of the locomotive along the track layout.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2004Date of Patent: July 11, 2006Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: David Kornick, Robert James Foy