Patents by Inventor Thomas Engle

Thomas Engle 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).

  • Publication number: 20150350902
    Abstract: Electromagnetic (EM)/radio frequency (RF) emissions may be detected and corresponding EM personas may be created. One or more EM personas may be associated with a super persona corresponding to a particular entity. EM personas, super personas, and/or supplemental identifying information can be used to enforce security protocols.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: Robert John Baxley, Christopher Jay Rouland, Michael Thomas Engle
  • Publication number: 20150350233
    Abstract: Electromagnetic (EM)/radio frequency (RF) emissions may be detected and corresponding EM personas may be created. One or more EM personas may be associated with a super persona corresponding to a particular entity. EM personas, super personas, and/or supplemental identifying information can be used to enforce security protocols.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: Robert John Baxley, Christopher Jay Rouland, Michael Thomas Engle
  • Patent number: 7306294
    Abstract: A release graduating valve for freight brake control is provided for a railcar having a pneumatic control valve, emergency and auxiliary reservoirs each normally charged with pressurized fluid from a brake pipe and a fluid pressure activated brake cylinder device for applying the brakes on the railcar. A selectively operable release graduating valve can include a graduated release valve and a changeover valve which selectively interposes the graduated release valve to exhaust brake cylinder pressure in a graduated manner responsive to brake pipe pressure. Alternatively, the changeover valve can isolate the graduated release valve and direct the pneumatic control valve to exhaust brake cylinder pressure in a conventional manner. The changeover valve can be operated responsive to the pressure in an air pipe supplied with pressurized fluid from a remote source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: James Hart, Thomas Engle
  • Patent number: 7232282
    Abstract: An improvement to a collapsible stanchion on a railcar for supporting semi-trailers thereon. The improvement consists of a linkage which is activated by the pulling of a handle away from the stanchion during the operation of raising it from a resting position to an upright position. The linkage exerts a force on a diagonal support member of the stanchion to urge it into a position where the stanchion's locking mechanism may be engaged to lock the stanchion in an upright position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Wabtec Holding Corp.
    Inventor: Thomas Engle
  • Publication number: 20060016647
    Abstract: A manual brake release and status indicator device for a parking brake for a rail vehicle, the manual brake release can include a positioner rod having a handle at one end and a second end connected to a ppsitioner assembly which is associated with a parking brake clamp mechanism. The positioner assembly is movable via the handle to manually release the parking brake clamp from an applied position. The handle is associated with the status indicator, which can include a face plate positioned in proximity to the handle, wherein the position of the handle relative to the face plate indicates whether the parking brake is applied or released.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Publication date: January 26, 2006
    Inventor: Thomas Engle
  • Publication number: 20050191147
    Abstract: An improvement to a collapsible stanchion on a railcar for supporting semi-trailers thereon. The improvement consists of a linkage which is activated by the pulling of a handle away from the stanchion during the operation of raising it from a resting position to an upright position. The linkage exerts a force on a diagonal support member of the stanchion to urge it into a position where the stanchion's locking mechanism may be engaged to lock the stanchion in an upright position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2005
    Publication date: September 1, 2005
    Inventor: Thomas Engle
  • Publication number: 20050162007
    Abstract: A release graduating proportioning valve for a rail car brake system having a brake pipe, a brake cylinder, and a load sensor valve. The release graduating proportioning valve has a conventional proportioning piston with a control volume communicating on a first side thereof and a second volume communicating on an opposite side thereof. A graduated release valve member, which can be incorporated into the top of the proportioning valve, is interposed between the control volume and atmosphere for providing a graduated release of brake cylinder pressure via the control volume. The graduated release valve member is activated by movement of the proportioning piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2005
    Publication date: July 28, 2005
    Inventors: Thomas Engle, John Carroll, Gary Sich
  • Publication number: 20050082126
    Abstract: A parking brake for a rail vehicle can automatically lock the rail vehicle brakes in an applied position, such as by clamping the brake cylinder push rod to prevent retraction from an applied position to a release position. An actuator can operate the parking brake, and a manual release can also be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Publication date: April 21, 2005
    Inventors: Thomas Engle, James Hart, Jason Connell, Joseph Pollono, Andrew Marko
  • Publication number: 20030193237
    Abstract: A release graduating valve for freight brake control is provided for a railcar having a pneumatic control valve, emergency and auxiliary reservoirs each normally charged with pressurized fluid from a brake pipe and a fluid pressure activated brake cylinder device for applying the brakes on the railcar. A selectively operable release graduating valve can include a graduated release valve and a changeover valve which selectively interposes the graduated release valve to exhaust brake cylinder pressure in a graduated manner responsive to brake pipe pressure. Alternatively, the changeover valve can isolate the graduated release valve and direct the pneumatic control valve to exhaust brake cylinder pressure in a conventional manner. The changeover valve can be operated responsive to the pressure in an air pipe supplied with pressurized fluid from a remote source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventors: James E. Hart, Thomas Engle
  • Patent number: 6609769
    Abstract: A release graduating valve for freight brake control is provided for a railcar having a pneumatic control valve, emergency and auxiliary reservoirs each normally charged with pressurized fluid from a brake pipe and a fluid pressure activated brake cylinder device for applying the brakes on the railcar. A selectively operable release graduating valve can include a graduated release valve and a changeover valve which selectively interposes the graduated release valve to exhaust brake cylinder pressure in a graduated manner responsive to brake pipe pressure. Alternatively, the changeover valve can isolate the graduated release valve and direct the pneumatic control valve to exhaust brake cylinder pressure in a conventional manner. The changeover valve can be operated responsive to the pressure in an air pipe supplied with pressurized fluid from a remote source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: James E. Hart, Thomas Engle
  • Patent number: 6491352
    Abstract: An integral intermodal train is provided for carrying standard over-the-highway semi-trailers. Each segment can have a plurality of platforms and may be loaded or unloaded independently of any other segment using a self contained, roll-on/roll-off system. Several sub-systems to speed performance and enhance reliability, such as an electronic assisted air brake, health monitoring, trailer tie-down and locomotive interface subsystems, can be provided on each segment. A spring applied parking brake is provided for the segments and operably connected to the train pneumatic brake systems. In a preferred embodiment the brake is automatically applied when brake pipe pressure falls below 40 psi nominal. The pneumatic valving for the parking brake prevents application of the valve in an emergency braking situation, until the pressure has bled off in normal system leakage, preventing wheel damage. A handle is provided for manual application and release of the parking brake when desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas Engle
  • Publication number: 20020038976
    Abstract: A release graduating valve for freight brake control is provided for a railcar having a pneumatic control valve, emergency and auxiliary reservoirs each normally charged with pressurized fluid from a brake pipe and a fluid pressure activated brake cylinder device for applying the brakes on the railcar. A selectively operable release graduating valve can include a graduated release valve and a changeover valve which selectively interposes the graduated release valve to exhaust brake cylinder pressure in a graduated manner responsive to brake pipe pressure. Alternatively, the changeover valve can isolate the graduated release valve and direct the pneumatic control valve to exhaust brake cylinder pressure in a conventional manner. The changeover valve can be operated responsive to the pressure in an air pipe supplied with pressurized fluid from a remote source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Publication date: April 4, 2002
    Inventors: James E. Hart, Thomas Engle
  • Publication number: 20010050027
    Abstract: An integral intermodal train is provided for carrying standard over-the-highway semi-trailers. Each segment can have a plurality of platforms and may be loaded or unloaded independently of any other segment using a self contained, roll-on/roll-off system. Several sub-systems to speed performance and enhance reliability, such as an electronic assisted air brake, health monitoring, trailer tie-down and locomotive interface subsystems, can be provided on each segment. A spring applied parking brake is provided for the segments and operably connected to the train pneumatic brake systems. In a preferred embodiment the brake is automatically applied when brake pipe pressure falls below 40 psi nominal. The pneumatic valving for the parking brake prevents application of the valve in an emergency braking situation, until the pressure has bled off in normal system leakage, preventing wheel damage. A handle is provided for manual application and release of the parking brake when desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventor: Thomas Engle
  • Patent number: 6217130
    Abstract: A continuously variable load responsive brake pressure control valve controls the amount of brake pipe pressure for a railway vehicle. The system also includes an isolator therefor for isolating the load sensor therefor from transient inputs caused by normal vehicle motion. A spring loaded isolator coupled with a matched hydraulic cylinder isolate wheel truck deflections with respect to the car body, preventing erroneous inputs to the load sensor of the variable load braking system so as to provide more accurate brake cylinder pressure according to vehicle load weight. The variable load limiting valve is continuously operable between an empty vehicle condition and a fully loaded vehicle condition and assures a minimum braking pressure, while also helping prevent sticking of the brakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas Engle
  • Patent number: 6079795
    Abstract: A continuously variable load responsive brake pressure control valve controls the amount of brake pipe pressure for a railway vehicle. The system also includes an isolator for isolating the load sensor from transient inputs caused by normal vehicle motion. A spring loaded isolator coupled with a matched hydraulic cylinder isolate wheel truck deflections with respect to the car body, preventing erroneous inputs to the load sensor of the variable load braking system so as to provide more accurate brake cylinder pressure according to vehicle load weight. The variable load limiting valve is continuously operable between an empty vehicle condition and a fully loaded vehicle condition and assures a minimum braking pressure, while also helping prevent sticking of the brakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas Engle
  • Patent number: 4775194
    Abstract: Passenger rail vehicle brake control valve apparatus includes, a control valve device of the type limited to direct release of the brakes, having service, emergency, and continuous quick service portions secured to a pipe bracket, and a graduated release valve portion governed jointly by brake cylinder pressure, brake cylinder exhaust passage pressure from the control valve device, and brake pipe pressure to at times modify output of the control valve device to provide for graduated control of the passenger rail vehicle brakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1988
    Assignee: General Signal Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence Vaughn, Ronald Newton, Thomas Engle
  • Patent number: 3954304
    Abstract: A combined emergency and handbrake system employs a friction brake actuator having a spring motor in addition to a hydraulic service motor. The spring motor is restrained from operation by a second hydraulic motor which is normally maintained at operating pressure. By venting the second motor, the spring motor applies the friction brake. This provides failsafe operation for the emergency system, and a positive handbrake system when the car is parked with a de-energized or uncoupled pressure source. The second fluid motor is normally pressurized by application of fluid pressure to the hydraulic service motor. The handbrake may therefore be released by cycling the service brake. This eliminates a need for a second hydraulic or pneumatic actuator for the emergency and handbrake system and assures the safe operation of the car by operation of the service brake before the parking brake can be released. A mechanical retraction device is also provided for special situations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1974
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1976
    Assignee: General Signal Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas Engle