Patents Assigned to Tetra-Tech, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11919551
    Abstract: A system and method for inspecting a railway track using sensors oriented at an oblique angle relative to a rail vehicle on which the system is traveling. The orientation of the sensors allows for different data to be gathered regarding a particular rail including rail design specifications (gathered based on manufacturer markings detected and analyzed by the system), rail seat abrasion values based on direct measurement of rails from the oblique angle, and other analysis of rail features including joint bars, rail welds, bond wires, rail holes, and broken rails. The use of an air blower, ducts, and one or more air distribution lids over the sensors helps remove debris from blocking the sensors and structured light generators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Tetra Tech, Inc.
    Inventor: Darel Mesher
  • Patent number: 11782160
    Abstract: An autonomous system for generating and interpreting point clouds of a rail corridor along a survey path while moving on a railroad corridor assessment platform. The system includes two LiDAR sensors configured to scan along scan planes that intersect but not at all points. The LiDAR sensors are housed in autonomously controlled and temperature controlled protective enclosures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: TETRA TECH, INC.
    Inventor: Darel Mesher
  • Publication number: 20230058445
    Abstract: A system and method for inspecting a railway track using sensors oriented at an oblique angle relative to a rail vehicle on which the system is traveling. The orientation of the sensors allows for different data to be gathered regarding a particular rail including rail design specifications (gathered based on manufacturer markings detected and analyzed by the system), rail seat abrasion values based on direct measurement of rails from the oblique angle, and other analysis of rail features including joint bars, rail welds, bond wires, rail holes, and broken rails. The use of an air blower, ducts, and one or more air distribution lids over the sensors helps remove debris from blocking the sensors and structured light generators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Applicant: TETRA TECH, INC.
    Inventor: Darel Mesher
  • Patent number: 11560165
    Abstract: A system and method for inspecting a railway track using sensors oriented at an oblique angle relative to a rail vehicle on which the system is traveling. The orientation of the sensors allows for different data to be gathered regarding a particular rail including rail design specifications (gathered based on manufacturer markings detected and analyzed by the system), rail seat abrasion values based on direct measurement of rails from the oblique angle, and other analysis of rail features including joint bars, rail welds, bond wires, rail holes, and broken rails. The use of an air blower, ducts, and one or more air distribution lids over the sensors helps remove debris from blocking the sensors and structured light generators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Tetra Tech, Inc.
    Inventor: Darel Mesher
  • Patent number: 11399172
    Abstract: A 3D track assessment apparatus and method for identifying and assessing features of a railway track bed based on 3D elevation data gathered from the railway track bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Tetra Tech, Inc.
    Inventor: Darel Mesher
  • Patent number: 11377130
    Abstract: An autonomous railway track assessment apparatus includes: a railway track assessment platform including a boxcar including an enclosed space formed therein; one or more power sources located on the boxcar; a controller; a first sensor assembly in electronic communication with the controller oriented to capture data from the railway track; an air handling system located on the rail car, the air handling system including an air blower and a heater/chiller; a set of air ducts in fluid communication with the air handling system and the first sensor assembly for supplying heated or cooled blown air from the air from the handling system to the first sensor assembly. Data from the railway track is autonomously collected by the first sensor assembly controlled by the controller and such data is stored on the data storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Tetra Tech, Inc.
    Inventor: Darel Mesher
  • Patent number: 11305799
    Abstract: A system and method for inspecting a railway track using sensors oriented at an oblique angle relative to a rail vehicle on which the system is traveling. The use of an air blower, ducts, and one or more air distribution lids over the sensors helps remove debris from blocking the sensors and structured light generators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Tetra Tech, Inc.
    Inventor: Darel Mesher
  • Publication number: 20220116580
    Abstract: A 3D track assessment apparatus and method are disclosed for identifying and assessing features of a railway track bed based on 3D elevation data gathered from the railway track bed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Applicant: TETRA TECH, INC.
    Inventor: Darel Mesher
  • Patent number: 11269957
    Abstract: A method of increasing the efficiency of the Aviation Environmental Design Tool (AEDT) by using a computer algorithm to generate an input file with far fewer flight tracks than would normally be required to obtain the same AEDT results using the same data pool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: TETRA TECH, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Karmelich, Paul Dunholter, Paul Ziegler
  • Patent number: 11259007
    Abstract: A 3D track assessment method for identifying and assessing features of a railway track bed based on 3D elevation and intensity data gathered from the railway track bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: TETRA TECH, INC.
    Inventor: Darel Mesher
  • Publication number: 20220035037
    Abstract: An autonomous system for generating and interpreting point clouds of a rail corridor along a survey path while moving on a railroad corridor assessment platform. The system includes two LiDAR sensors configured to scan along scan planes that intersect but not at all points. The LiDAR sensors are housed in autonomously controlled and temperature controlled protective enclosures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Applicant: TETRA TECH, INC.
    Inventor: Darel Mesher
  • Publication number: 20210388572
    Abstract: A vertical manhole apparatus for use in a waste facility to provide access to one or more leachate collection pipe access points. The vertical manhole is stabilized using stabilizing features extending out from a vertical pipe of the vertical manhole apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Applicant: TETRA TECH, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Torresani, Kyle Kneser
  • Patent number: 11196981
    Abstract: A 3D track assessment apparatus and method for identifying and assessing features of a railway track bed based on 3D elevation data gathered from the railway track bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: TETRA TECH, INC.
    Inventor: Darel Mesher
  • Patent number: 11169269
    Abstract: An autonomous system for generating and interpreting point clouds of a rail corridor along a survey path while moving on a railroad corridor assessment platform. The system includes two rear-facing LiDAR sensors configured to scan along scan planes that intersect but not at all points. The system also includes a plurality of high-resolution cameras for gathering image data from a rail corridor. The LiDAR sensors and the high-resolution cameras are housed in autonomously controlled and temperature controlled protective enclosures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: TETRA TECH, INC.
    Inventor: Darel Mesher
  • Patent number: 11142230
    Abstract: A broken wheel detection system for detecting broken wheels on rail vehicles even when such vehicles are moving at a high rate of speed by determining the positions, lengths, or orientations of structured light lines projected against passing wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: TETRA TECH, INC.
    Inventor: Darel Mesher
  • Patent number: 11131074
    Abstract: A vertical manhole apparatus for use in a waste facility to provide access to one or more leachate collection pipe access points. The vertical manhole is stabilized using stabilizing features extending out from a vertical pipe of the vertical manhole apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Tetra Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Torresani, Kyle Kneser
  • Publication number: 20210258557
    Abstract: A 3D track assessment apparatus and method are disclosed for identifying and assessing features of a railway track bed based on 3D elevation data gathered from the railway track bed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Applicant: TETRA TECH, INC.
    Inventor: Darel Mesher
  • Publication number: 20210190043
    Abstract: A wind turbine foundation and method for making a wind turbine foundation. The wind turbine foundation preferably includes a core member including a substantially cylindrically-shaped main body, a first outer flange extending out from the main body along an upper section of the core member, and a second outer flange extending out from the main body along a lower section of the core member, a plurality of radial girders connected to the first outer flange and the second outer flange and radiating out from the core member, and a reinforced concrete base slab supporting the metal base can and the plurality of radial girders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Applicant: Tetra Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Kemp, Cory Williams
  • Patent number: 10968894
    Abstract: A wind turbine foundation and method for making a wind turbine foundation. The wind turbine foundation preferably includes a core member including a substantially cylindrically-shaped main body, a first outer flange extending out from the main body along an upper section of the core member, and a second outer flange extending out from the main body along a lower section of the core member, and a plurality of radial girders connected to the first outer flange and the second outer flange and radiating out from the core member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: TETRA TECH, INC.
    Inventors: Paul Kemp, Cory Williams
  • Publication number: 20210072393
    Abstract: An autonomous system for generating and interpreting point clouds of a rail corridor along a survey path while moving on a railroad corridor assessment platform. The system includes two rear-facing LiDAR sensors configured to scan along scan planes that intersect but not at all points. The system also includes a plurality of high-resolution cameras for gathering image data from a rail corridor. The LiDAR sensors and the high-resolution cameras are housed in autonomously controlled and temperature controlled protective enclosures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Applicant: TETRA TECH, INC.
    Inventor: Darel Mesher