Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm John L. DeAngelis, Jr.
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Patent number: 6651034Abstract: An analysis scheduler for scheduling the automatic processing of performance data through a plurality of analysis tools is disclosed. Performance data provided to some of the tools by the analysis scheduler may be specified to be within a predetermined (but variable) look-back period. The analysis tools identify faults and anomalous conditions and also create repair recommendations, and automatically create problem cases when conditions warrant, or update existing problem cases with additional data, all under control of the analysis scheduler. The problem cases are reviewed by a human user and then forwarded to the railroad for implementation.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2000Date of Patent: November 18, 2003Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Eric H. Hedlund, Nicholas Edward Roddy, David Richard Gibson, Richard G. Bliley, James E. Pander, Ashish Puri, Thomas E. O'Camb, John Howard Lovelace, II, Steven Loncher
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Patent number: 6639298Abstract: A thin-film multi-layer high Q inductor spanning at least three metal layers is formed by forming a plurality of parallel first metal runners on the semiconductor substrate. A plurality of first and second vertical conductive vias are formed in electrical communications with each end of the plurality of metal runners. A plurality of third and fourth conductive vias are formed over the plurality of first and second conductive vias and a plurality of second metal runners are formed interconnecting the plurality of third and fourth conductive vias. The plurality of first metal runners are in a different vertical than the plurality of second metal runners such that the planes intersect. Thus one end of a first metal runner is connected to an overlying end of a second metal runner by way of the first and third vertical conductive vias. The other end of the second metal runner is connected to the next metal one runner by way of the second and fourth vertical conductive vias.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2001Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Agere Systems Inc.Inventors: Samir Chaudhry, Paul Arthur Layman, J. Ross Thomson, Mohamed Laradji, Michelle D. Griglione
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Patent number: 6633784Abstract: A method and apparatus for modifying configuration information used to control an on-board monitor located aboard a locomotive. Under the control of a remote monitoring and diagnostic center, the on-board monitor periodically collects information from the locomotive and transmits it to the remote monitoring and diagnostic center. When it is desired to change some aspect associated with the data collection process (including the period during which the data is collected, the types of data collected, etc.), it is necessary to change the configuration file that controls the on-board monitor. The configuration file is changed at the remote monitoring and diagnostic center and then transmitted to the on-board monitor.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2000Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: General Electric CorporationInventors: John Howard Lovelace, II, Thomas George Cook, James E. Pander
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Patent number: 6625589Abstract: An algorithm for improving the probability of identifying the repair that will correct a fault aboard a machine, such as a locomotive. The invention utilizes historical fault log and repair data and further calculates the number of times a particular fault occurs in a given number of days and also the number of times a particular fault occurs on each day. Averages are calculated for these results and when the number of fault occurrences exceed some or more of those averages, then these faults are deemed statistically significant for subsequent processing.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2000Date of Patent: September 23, 2003Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Anil Varma, Nicholas Edward Roddy
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Patent number: 6622067Abstract: A method and apparatus for modifying configuration information used to control an on-board monitor located aboard a locomotive. Under the control of a remote monitoring and diagnostic center, the on-board monitor periodically collects information from the locomotive and transmits it to the remote monitoring and diagnostic center. When it is desired to change some aspect associated with the data collection process (including the period during which the data is collected, the types of data collected, etc.), it is necessary to change the configuration file that controls the on-board monitor. The configuration file is changed at the remote monitoring and diagnostic center and then transmitted to the on-board monitor.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2000Date of Patent: September 16, 2003Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: John Howard Lovelace, II, Thomas George Cook, James E. Pander
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Patent number: 6615367Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the root cause of no trouble found events in a machine is disclosed. The actual faults occurring during a predetermined time interval prior to the no trouble found event are analyzed and correlated with the no trouble found events in an effort to identify those actual faults that have a high correlation with each no trouble found event. If a high correlation is not found, then the no trouble found event is analyzed off-line to determine the root cause.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2000Date of Patent: September 2, 2003Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: C. Richard Unkle, Nicholas Edward Roddy
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Patent number: 6607927Abstract: A method for determining copper contamination on a semiconductor wafer is disclosed. The minority carrier diffusion length is measured, then the wafer is activated by the application of optical or thermal energy. Likely the wafer is also contaminated with iron and thus it is necessary to separate the diffusion length effects caused by the iron from those caused by the copper, that is, both copper and iron contaminants cause a reduction in the minority carrier diffusion length. The applied energy causes the iron-boron pairs to dissociate and also causes the copper to form a metastable copper silicide state. After about 24 to 36 hours, the iron-boron pairs reform and therefore the iron contaminants no longer influence the diffusion length. At this point the diffusion length is measured again, which values are due solely to the copper contamination, since the copper remains in the silicide state. The copper contamination can be determined from the measured diffusion length values.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2001Date of Patent: August 19, 2003Assignee: Agere Systems, Inc.Inventors: Deepak A. Ramappa, Damon Keith DeBusk
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Patent number: 6606057Abstract: An antenna array having a central active element and a plurality of passive elements surrounding the active element is disclosed. A dielectric substrate or other slow wave structure is disposed radially outwardly from the passive elements for slowing the radio frequency waves so as to increase the antenna directivity by reducing the amount of energy radiated in the elevation direction.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2001Date of Patent: August 12, 2003Assignee: Tantivy Communications, Inc.Inventors: Bing Chiang, Griffin K. Gothard, Christopher A. Snyder, Kenneth M. Gainey
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Patent number: 6597321Abstract: There is disclosed a meanderline-loaded antenna comprising a ground plane, a non-driven element affixed substantially perpendicular to the ground plane, a driven element affixed substantially perpendicular to the ground plane and a horizontal conductor or radiating element electrically connected between the driven and the non-driven elements and disposed substantially parallel to the ground plane. The non-driven and the driven elements comprise meanderline-loaded couplers that are electrically connected between to the radiating element. A mechanically deformable material is disposed between the radiating element and the ground plane such that in response to an externally generated voltage the mechanically deformable material alters the distance between the ground plane and the radiating element to allow the antenna to adapt to changes in its environment.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2001Date of Patent: July 22, 2003Assignee: SkyCross, Inc.Inventors: Michael H. Thursby, Kerry L. Greer
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Patent number: 6587738Abstract: A computer-implemented method for optimizing locomotive assignments on a railroad network. The locomotives are assigned to power and signaling classes, based on equipment installed within each locomotive. An objective function is set forth that considers the cost of moving extra power in the network, the penalties incurred for late train departures due to the failure to assign an appropriately-equipped locomotive and the cost of train operation. Various constraints are set forth that must be taken into consideration when optimizing the objective function.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2000Date of Patent: July 1, 2003Assignee: GE-Harris Railway Electronics, L.L.C.Inventor: John M. Belcea
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Patent number: 6580983Abstract: An apparatus and method for identifying and transmitting time critical or high priority files from an on-board monitor aboard a vehicle. During operation of the vehicle, the on-board monitor collects and stores operational parametric information in the form of data files. The data files are transmitted to a remote site on a periodic basis or in response to certain predetermined conditions above the vehicle. To reduce the latency and delay times with transmitting the high priority files, those files are merged and transmitted before the transmission of relatively lower priority data files.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2002Date of Patent: June 17, 2003Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Juan Laguer-Diaz, Ashish Puri, James E. Pander
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Patent number: 6580975Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining whether a railroad locomotive is configured with the correct software versions. The version numbers for software on board the vehicle are periodically determined by an on-board monitoring system. This information is later transmitted to a remote monitoring and diagnostic center, where the actual software version numbers are compared to the expected software versions. If there is a mismatch, personnel at the remote monitoring and diagnostic center are alerted to resolve the mismatch.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2002Date of Patent: June 17, 2003Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: John H. Lovelace, II, Bradely Charles Hendrickson, Gregory J. Fera
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Patent number: 6577419Abstract: A communications system for aircraft includes an on-board network using optical frequencies for communications within the aircraft; the network includes personal communications devices and/or other devices such as personal computers communicating via optical ports at infrared or other optical frequencies. Capability of such devices to emit radio-frequency radiation is automatically blocked on sensing the infrared system. The various optical ports are connected to each other and to a controller which includes an interface between the on-board infrared portion of the system and radio-frequency transceivers; the transceivers connect to RF antennas for communication with stations outside the aircraft.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1998Date of Patent: June 10, 2003Inventors: Christopher J. Hall, Clay S. Turner, Jimmy C. Ray
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Patent number: 6564172Abstract: A method for determining the ideal fuel usage value of a locomotive or other off-highway vehicle is disclosed. The time spent in each of a plurality of operating modes is determined and applied to an algorithm for calculating the ideal fuel usage associated with that operating mode. The individual values calculated for each operating mode are summed in accord with the operating modes experienced during a given train run. The sum value represents the ideal fuel usage quantity for the train run.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2000Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Ronald Herman Till
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Patent number: 6550767Abstract: A game or toy device into which the player enters a random number is disclosed. The random number is entered by rotating a handle after which a plunger is depressed. Entry of the random number may permit free depression of the plunger and thereby allow the plunger to activate a pitching mechanism for ejecting a substance (such as water or paper confetti) in the direction of the game player.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2001Date of Patent: April 22, 2003Inventor: Chester L. Pittman
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Patent number: 6546371Abstract: A process for scheduling the travel of trains on a rail corridor. The rail corridor includes a plurality of siding tracks onto which trains can be sided when a meet or pass occurs with another train on the corridor. A gradient search process is used with a cost function to determine the optimum schedule by moving each meet and pass to a siding. The individual train schedules are varied by changing train speed and/or the train departure time (i.e., the time at which the train enters the corridor).Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1999Date of Patent: April 8, 2003Assignee: GE-Harris Railway Electronics, L.L.C.Inventor: John R. Doner
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Patent number: 6493627Abstract: A diesel engine including a technique for limiting the fuel value injected into each cylinder so that overfueling does not occur. A fuel value limit is calculated based on ambient temperature and pressure, fuel temperature, fuel heating value and the conditions of the fuel pump and injector. This fuel value limit is compared to the actual fuel value commanded and if the limit is greater than the fuel value commanded, then the engine operation is derated. Alternatively, if the fuel value is below the calculated limit, then the engine can accept the fuel value without affecting its operation.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2000Date of Patent: December 10, 2002Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Shawn M. Gallagher, Eric R. Dillen, Vincent F. Dunsworth
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Patent number: 6489925Abstract: There is disclosed a meanderline-loaded antenna comprising a ground plane, a non-driven element affixed thereto, a driven or receiving element affixed thereto and a horizontal element between the driven and the non-driven elements. The non-driven and the driven elements comprise meanderline-loaded couplers that are oriented parallel to the ground plane and the horizontal element so as to present a low-profile meanderline-loaded antenna.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2001Date of Patent: December 3, 2002Assignee: SkyCross, Inc.Inventors: Michael H. Thursby, Kerry L. Greer, Young-Min Jo, Young-Ki Kim, Jay A. Kralovec
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Patent number: 6486844Abstract: There is disclosed a meanderline loaded antenna comprising a ground plane, a non-driven vertical element affixed thereto, a driven vertical element and a shaped top radiating element conductively connected between the driven and non-driven vertical elements. One or more segments or regions of the top plate are resonant depending on the input signal frequency. Since top plate presents several such segments or portions, several different resonant frequencies (a band of closely spaced resonant frequencies or multiple bands of disparate resonant frequencies) are presented to the antenna driving signal, thus allowing the antenna to resonate at several different frequencies and bands. In another embodiment, the antenna comprises a plurality of top radiating elements in parallel spaced relation or in a single plane, wherein each top radiating element is resonant at a different frequency, when considered with the effective lengths of the other antenna elements.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2001Date of Patent: November 26, 2002Assignee: SkyCross, Inc.Inventors: Michael H. Thursby, Sean F. Sullivan, Floyd A. Asbury
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Patent number: D481498Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2001Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Inventor: Javier Pinedo