Patents Assigned to National Railroad Passenger Corporation
  • Patent number: 11873017
    Abstract: Navigating a transportation network by receiving an equipment identifier, querying a section of interest database to obtain at least one section of interest associated, accessing geolocation data from one or more geolocation sensors, querying a one section of interest using geolocation data to identify a next section of interest. With geolocation data, calculating at least one of a time to a next section of interest or a distance to a next section of interest, and determining that a reduction in speed is required, where a reduced speed is an amount of speed by which the speed must be reduced in order for the equipment to achieve a target speed associated with the next section of interest, and providing an alert configured to escalate to the user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: NATIONAL RAILROAD PASSENGER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Milad Hosseinipour, Michael Trosino, Michael Craft, David Stolnis, Emily Greve, Thomas Robert Krotchko
  • Patent number: 11034365
    Abstract: A modular platform system includes a setback platform system for a shared track rail system on a ground level. The shared track rail system is usable by a commuter, regional and intercity rail vehicle and a freight vehicle. The setback platform includes a first path at a first height with respect to the ground level. The setback platform also includes a shuttle platform. The shuttle platform is at a second height in a first position different from the first height. The shuttle platform is configured to be moved from the first position to a second position different from the first position. A front edge of the shuttle platform is farther away from a centerline of the shared track rail system if the shuttle platform is in the first portion than if the shuttle platform is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: National Railroad Passenger Corporation
    Inventors: Gary Talbot, Kyle Giannaula, Robert Kokx, Christopher Kattola, Edward Boryn, Toniya Camilleri, Glenn Ludeman
  • Patent number: 10384691
    Abstract: A modular platform system includes a setback platform system for a shared track rail system on a ground level. The shared track rail system is usable by a commuter, regional and intercity rail vehicle and a freight vehicle. The setback platform includes a first path at a first height with respect to the ground level. The setback platform also includes a shuttle platform. The shuttle platform is at a second height in a first position different from the first height. The shuttle platform is configured to be moved from the first position to a second position different from the first position. A front edge of the shuttle platform is farther away from a centerline of the shared track rail system if the shuttle platform is in the first portion than if the shuttle platform is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: NATIONAL RAILROAD PASSENGER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gary Talbot, Kyle Giannaula, Robert Kokx, Christopher Kattola, Edward Boryn, Toniya Camilleri, Glenn Ludemann
  • Patent number: 9347183
    Abstract: A tie extension bracket comprises a rectangular-shaped box having at least three sides. Two of the sides being arranged parallel to each other and the remaining side being a connecting support plate connecting the two parallel sides to each other. The two parallel sides extending beyond the connecting support plate to form a U-shaped portion dimensioned to receive at least an end portion of a railroad tie therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: NATIONAL RAILROAD PASSENGER CORPORATION
    Inventor: John A. Pielli
  • Publication number: 20140156318
    Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for onboard ticket validation and ticket collection for railroad passengers and providing touchscreen interfaces for display of passenger and ticket related information on a mobile communication device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: NATIONAL RAILROAD PASSENGER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gregory Irwin BEHUN, Anthony Paul FLYNN, Michael Thomas TOCZYLOWSKI
  • Publication number: 20130204647
    Abstract: A system for use of an electronic ticket, the system comprising: a server arranged to: issue a ticket responsive to a passenger request; issue a bar coded travel document for passengers and segments in a reservation; generate a list of issued tickets for a predetermined vehicle, wherein the list comprises passenger ticketing information; and modify a ticket status during a period in which the vehicle is in motion to indicate use or modification of the issued ticket by a passenger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: NATIONAL RAILROAD PASSENGER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gregory Irwin Behun, Anthony Paul Flynn, Michael Thomas Toczylowski
  • Publication number: 20130191171
    Abstract: A system for managing a reservation container associated with a reservation. The system comprising a controller for executing a set of instructions and a controller-readable medium storing the set of instructions which, when executed by the controller, cause the controller to: generate a unique reservation container identifier for enabling subsequent access to the reservation container; set access attributes for the reservation container; and transmit the generated unique reservation container identifier to a service caller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: NATIONAL RAILROAD PASSENGER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stuart P. WALDRON, Jose E. PEPITO
  • Publication number: 20120227502
    Abstract: A rail scanning system and certified method of use thereof are described. The rail scanning system comprises a control unit, a probe carriage, and an encoder. The probe carriage comprises two or more phased array probes. The control unit is communicatively coupled with the encoder and phased array probes of the probe carriage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: NATIONAL RAILROAD PASSENGER CORPORATION
    Inventors: John A. PIELLI, Kenneth GAGLIONE
  • Patent number: 8196469
    Abstract: A rail scanning system and certified method of use thereof are described. The rail scanning system comprises a control unit, a probe carriage, and an encoder. The probe carriage comprises two or more phased array probes. The control unit is communicatively coupled with the encoder and phased array probes of the probe carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: National Railroad Passenger Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Pielli, Kenneth Gaglione
  • Publication number: 20100185402
    Abstract: A rail scanning system and certified method of use thereof are described. The rail scanning system comprises a control unit, a probe carriage, and an encoder. The probe carriage comprises two or more phased array probes. The control unit is communicatively coupled with the encoder and phased array probes of the probe carriage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: NATIONAL RAILROAD PASSENGER CORPORATION
    Inventors: John A. PIELLI, Kenneth GAGLIONE
  • Patent number: 6901381
    Abstract: To keep tab of a rolling or moving inventory loaded onto a moving transport such as for example a train, a number of upload/download workstations are dispersed among the various train stations of the transport network. Each of the workstations is communicatively connected to a centrally located host server. A portable terminal in the form of a point of sale (POS) unit is provided to each service agent assigned to one of the trains that travels a given route along the network. The POS unit is connected to a workstation at the commissary where inventory is removed for stocking the train to download data relating to the amount of inventory removed from the commissary. During the trip, the POS unit is used as a cash register as well as a recorder of all transactions that take place. At the end of the trip, the POS unit is removed from the train and connected to an upload/download workstation located at the destination train station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: National Railroad Passenger Corporation
    Inventors: Michael James Brown, William J. Lerch
  • Patent number: 6672516
    Abstract: A miter rail system for spanning a railroad track joint includes a fixed rail and a lift rail formed from thick web rail stock. The joining ends of the fixed and lift rails are notched to interfit with each other along a predetermined longitudinal extent along the notches so that at least gage sides of the associated fixed and lift rails are in alignment with each other to provide a generally smooth and uninterrupted surface for rolling stock wheels. Preferentially, the inward facing edge of the notch is substantially entirely coextensive with a side of the thick web as a result of milling out, once the ends of the rails adapted to face each other have been bent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: National Railroad Passenger Corporation
    Inventor: Nicholas J. Skoutelas
  • Patent number: 6592081
    Abstract: An electronic code transmitter is disclosed for driving a number of code following relays of a railroad signaling system. The electronic code transmitter comprises a timing circuit and a driving circuit. The timing circuit generates, at a predetermined code rate, square wave pulses with an approximate 50/50 duty cycle. The driving circuit receives the square wave pulses and conducts, at the predetermined code rate, a power source to the code following relays. Where the timing circuit is a timer IC operating in an astable oscillator mode, the timer IC receives an isolated DC power from a DC-DC converter. A resistor is coupled in parallel with the code following relays if the code following relays present a sufficiently high impedance load to the electronic code transmitter. Thereby, the electronic code transmitter is capable to drive code following relays of any load impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: National Railroad Passenger Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas W. Yerge
  • Publication number: 20020153456
    Abstract: An electronic code transmitter is disclosed for driving a number of code following relays of a railroad signaling system. The electronic code transmitter comprises a timing circuit and a driving circuit. The timing circuit generates, at a predetermined code rate, square wave pulses with an approximate 50/50 duty cycle. The driving circuit receives the square wave pulses and conducts, at the predetermined code rate, a power source to the code following relays. Where the timing circuit is a timer IC operating in an astable oscillator mode, the timer IC receives an isolated DC power from a DC-DC converter. A resistor is coupled in parallel with the code following relays if the code following relays present a sufficiently high impedance load to the electronic code transmitter. Thereby, the electronic code transmitter is capable to drive code following relays of any load impedance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Applicant: National Railroad Passenger Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas W. Yerge
  • Patent number: 6386492
    Abstract: A temporary sign holder utilizes a clamping member attachable to a rail to support a sign post in an operative location. The clamping member is formed with two hooked shaped members that are tightened around the base of the rail from opposing sides. One of the hooked members has a threaded rod extending through a sleeve on the other hooked member with a locking ring threaded onto the rod to provide a tightening arrangement. A horizontal member extends outwardly from the hook shaped members. This arrangement enables the hooked shaped members to be pressed inwardly towards each other towards the rail web to provide a heightened degree of clamping force capable of resisting vibrational and other forces that occur as a result of train passage. A lock prevents unauthorized loosening of the locking ring to create a tamper-proof structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: National Railroad Passenger Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Brown, D. Bernard Heffernan, Nicholas J. Skoutelas
  • Patent number: 6356299
    Abstract: An automated track inspection vehicle for inspecting track for anomalies includes a self-propelled car equipped with cameras for creating images of the track. A driver and inspector visually inspect the track and right-of-way through a window in the vehicle. Additionally, the images from the cameras are viewed by an inspector on a video terminal to detect anomalies. When anomalies are detected by the driver, inspector, or various redundant detection systems, a signal is provided to store the video data for later review by an analyst. The analyst will review the stored video data to confirm the presence of an anomaly and generate a track inspection report identifying at least the type and location of anomaly and the required remedial action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: National Railroad Passenger Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Trosino, John J. Cunningham, Alfred E. Shaw, III
  • Patent number: 6345257
    Abstract: An interactive defect reporting system is designed to handle enroute equipment problems and repairs in a paperless process that enables on-board personnel to report equipment problems using a phone. After calling the system, the on-board personnel describes the, problem in their own words in as much detail as necessary. The computerized reporting system assigns a unique Trouble Ticket number to the report and all subsequent repairs. Mechanics listen to the Trouble Tickets or have transcribed copies faxed to their facilities. Trouble Tickets are also immediately available to all downline maintenance facilities so that mechanics can prepared for problems on a train well in advance of its arrival. Once a problem is fixed, the mechanics called in the repair and describe in detail what was done to fix the problem. On-board personnel can listen to the repairs or request a fax copy of the Trouble Ticket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: National Railroad Passenger Corporation
    Inventor: Mark Jarrett
  • Patent number: 6115237
    Abstract: An electronic cabinet assembly is disclosed which is positioned in an exterior environment, such as a railway tunnel. The cabinet assembly includes an electronic cabinet having a box portion and at least one door together defining an interior space. The door has an open position for providing access to the interior space and a closed position where the door is in sealed relation to the box portion. The electronic cabinet includes one or more vents. A fan is in communication with the exterior of the cabinet, and with the interior space. A pressure sensing device is electrically connected to the fan and is in communication with the exterior of the cabinet and with the interior space for actuating the fan in response to sensing a predetermined pressure differential between the exterior of the cabinet and the interior space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: National Railroad Passenger Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Zahorsky, Allan D. Zamparelli, Arthur R. Troup, Alfred E. Fazio, Charles S. Hall
  • Patent number: 6064428
    Abstract: An automated track inspection vehicle for inspecting track for anomalies includes a self-propelled car equipped with cameras for creating images of the track. A driver and inspector visually inspect the track and right-of-way through a window in the vehicle. Additionally, the images from the cameras are viewed by an inspector on a video terminal to detect anomalies. When anomalies are detected by the driver, inspector, or various redundant detection systems, a signal is provided to store the video data for later review by an analyst. The analyst will review the stored video data to confirm the presence of an anomaly and generate a track inspection report identifying at least the type and location of anomaly and the required remedial action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: National Railroad Passenger Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Trosino, John J. Cunningham, Alfred E. Shaw, III
  • Patent number: 6052884
    Abstract: A conveyorized system and method of use therefor for disassembling, inspecting, reconditioning and testing a brake actuator is disclosed. The disassembly area includes a spring removal fixture and a torque removal fixture. The conveyor system includes multi-level conveyor portions to eliminate the need for operators to lift awkward, heavy components. The test area includes a fixture adapted to pressure test and leak test a reconditioned brake actuator and to test for slack adjuster travel. The disclosed conveyor system is specially adapted to disassemble, inspect, recondition and test air brake actuators for trains, such as disc actuators and tread actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: National Railroad Passenger Corporation
    Inventors: Adam Steckler, Charlie Pope, Norris Macklin, John J. Hannaford, Karl Ginther