Patents Examined by Philip Cotey
  • Patent number: 8733180
    Abstract: A fluid flow tool includes an airfoil structure and a support arm. The airfoil structure's high-pressure side and low-pressure side are positioned in a conduit by the support arm coupled to the conduit. The high-pressure and low-pressure sides substantially face opposing walls of the conduit. At least one measurement port is formed in the airfoil structure at each of its high-pressure side and low-pressure side. A first manifold, formed in the airfoil structure and in fluid communication with each measurement port so-formed at the high-pressure side, extends through the airfoil structure and support arm to terminate and be accessible at the exterior wall of the conduit. A second manifold, formed in the airfoil structure and in fluid communication with each measurement port so-formed at the low-pressure side, extends through the airfoil structure and support arm to terminate and be accessible at the exterior wall of the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: John Dwight England, Anthony R. Kelley, Raymond J. Cronise
  • Patent number: 8707775
    Abstract: A system for testing a rail car brake system includes a valve manifold having valves that selectively supply and vent test air to or from the brake system. A control circuit is operatively connected with the valve manifold and configured to operate in a first mode to automatically position the valves according to a prescribed test and to operate in a second mode to allow manual positioning of the valves. A method for testing a rail car brake system includes connecting test air to a valve manifold, connecting the valve manifold to the brake system, and testing the brake system using a control circuit configured to automatically position valves in the valve manifold according to a prescribed test. The method further detects a failed test result in the brake system and troubleshoots the brake system using the control circuit to manually position valves in the valve manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Graham-White Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Cole Frantz Semones, Michael Grissom