Patents by Inventor Ronald M. Keenan

Ronald M. Keenan 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: 11254336
    Abstract: A rail flaw detector is configured for locating flaws in rails of a railroad track and for use with a vehicle travelling on the railroad track. The detector includes at least one signal applicator configured for applying ultrasonic signals to the rail and for receiving return signals; a mechanical subsystem connected to the applicator and to the vehicle and configured for maintaining the at least one signal applicator in operational position on the track. A human-machine interface is connected to the at least one signal applicator, is configured to control the detector and to monitor sensed rail condition. In one embodiment, the human-machine interface includes a schematic display of the rail being monitored and at least one touch screen control for controlling the mechanical subsystem and the at least one signal applicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: NORDCO INC.
    Inventors: Paul Sanders Underwood, David William Giragosian, Ian Wallace McGrath Gage, Phillip Edwards, II, John E. Leonard, Jacob Eisler, Ronald M. Keenan, Joseph Setaro
  • Publication number: 20200198672
    Abstract: A rail flaw detector is configured for locating flaws in rails of a railroad track and for use with a vehicle travelling on the railroad track. The detector includes at least one signal applicator configured for applying ultrasonic signals to the rail and for receiving return signals; a mechanical subsystem connected to the applicator and to the vehicle and configured for maintaining the at least one signal applicator in operational position on the track. A human-machine interface is connected to the at least one signal applicator, is configured to control the detector and to monitor sensed rail condition. In one embodiment, the human-machine interface includes a schematic display of the rail being monitored and at least one touch screen control for controlling the mechanical subsystem and the at least one signal applicator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventors: Paul Sanders UNDERWOOD, David William GIRAGOSIAN, Ian Wallace MCGRATH GAGE, Phillip EDWARDS, II, John E. LEONARD, Jacob EISLER, Ronald M. KEENAN, Joseph SETARO
  • Patent number: 6577631
    Abstract: A communications switching module (CSM) serving as common switching equipment for work stations in a star-topology Ethernet local area network. Both voice and data are incorporated in master Ethernet packets which are transmitted at a constant rate. The CSM switches the voice signals synchronously over a time domain multiplexed highway and separately switches the data signals asynchronously over a high speed packet bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Merlot Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald M. Keenan, Thomas F. Barraza, Edward R. Caceres, Joseph A. Deptula, Patrick A. Evans, Joseph Setaro
  • Patent number: 6574242
    Abstract: A local area network of devices connected to a Communication Switching Module (CSM) carry both delay-sensitive information and non-delay sensitive user data in master Ethernet packets transmitted over the LAN at a constant rate. Signaling and control information from the devices initialize a permanent virtual connection (PVC) between devices and the CSM. The signaling and control information is contained in standard Ethernet packets which are encapsulated along with non-delay sensitive data in the master Ethernet packets and performs various control functions for the LAN devices and the CSM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Merlot Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald M. Keenan, Thomas F. Barraza, Edward R. Caceres, Joseph A. Deptula, Patrick A. Evans, Joseph Setaro
  • Patent number: 6570890
    Abstract: Delay-sensitive information (e.g., voice, video) and non-delay-sensitive user data are combined and transmitted over a single UTP cable forming part of a star-connected Ethernet local area network. Master Ethernet packets of fixed length are formatted with fixed length portions assigned to the two types of information and transmitted at a constant fixed rate. The delay sensitive information is extracted, switched and transmitted at a constant bit rate. The non-delay sensitive information is segmented and transmitted asynchronously in a user data portion of the Master Ethernet Packet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Merlot Communications
    Inventors: Ronald M. Keenan, Thomas F. Barraza, Edward R. Caceres, Joseph A. Deptula, Patrick A. Evans, Joseph Setaro
  • Patent number: 6539011
    Abstract: A permanent virtual connection (PVC) is automatically set up over an Ethernet local area network (LAN) link between a work station device having a digital telephone and a Communications Switching Module (CSM) when the device is first connected to the LAN. The PVC is established by exchange of information in standard Ethernet packets between the device and the CSM. Automatic reservation of a full duplex PVC for digital telephone signaling and control information enables set up and break down of voice channels within the same PVC by exchange of signaling information in standard Ethernet packets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Merlot Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald M. Keenan, Thomas F. Barraza, Edward R. Caceres, Joseph A. Deptula, Patrick A. Evans, Joseph Setaro
  • Patent number: 6215789
    Abstract: An Ethernet Local Area Network uses a star topology connecting user stations to a Communications Switching Module (CSM) with 10Base-T or 100 Base-TX UTP cable. Each user station typically has a digital telephone and a data communication device, such as a PC communicating with the CSM through a common UTE adapter. Delay-sensitive digital voice signals and non-delay sensitive user data are transported in master Ethernet packets of fixed length transmitted at a fixed rate. Segmentation and re-assembly of data is performed in the UTE adapters and in the CSM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Merlot Communications
    Inventors: Ronald M. Keenan, Thomas F. Barraza, Edward R. Caceres, Joseph A. Deptula, Patrick A. Evans, Joseph Setaro
  • Patent number: 4679228
    Abstract: An apparatus for indicating to a central service unit of a telephone system having a central service unit coupled to a plurality of station sets whether a particular station set comprises a speakerphone and the type of speakerphone from among two types of speakerphone, is disclosed. The station set includes a microprocessor controller having an input line coupled to a selected one of a low or high logic level. The input line is connected to an electronic switch which receives interrogation signals from the central service unit. Depending on the logic level to which the input line is coupled and the state of the switch, the central service unit can determine whether the station set comprises a speakerphone and the type of speakerphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1987
    Assignee: Tie/Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent V. Korsky, Ronald M. Keenan