Patents by Inventor Bernard Breen

Bernard Breen 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).

  • Patent number: 7685307
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for binding a first wireless communication unit installed on a first asset and a second wireless communication unit installed on a second asset, wherein the first asset is connected to the second asset by electrical power lines. The method and system can be used for binding a wireless communication unit of a tractor and a wireless communication unit on a trailer. The method monitors the current in the auxiliary power connection between the assets. By transmitting and detecting power pulses through the auxiliary power line, the wireless communication units can ensure that the two assets are attached and therefore it would be proper to establish a wireless connection between the two wireless communication units. The number of power pulses can be used to identify differing devices. Such method can also be used to detect an open fuse or circuit breaker. In the case of an open fuse, voltages can be used in place of power pulses to complete the binding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Asset Intelligence, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Bernard Breen
  • Patent number: 7546477
    Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for adjusting a wake interval in a telematics device having a charge sensor. The telematics device cyclically provides full power from a power supply during a wake duration, and limited power from the power supply during the wake interval. A charge level for a battery of the power supply is determined using the charge sensor. The wake interval is adjusted based on the charge level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas Bernard Breen, James Daniel Phelan
  • Publication number: 20080162968
    Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for adjusting a wake interval in a telematics device having a charge sensor. The telematics device cyclically provides full power from a power supply during a wake duration, and limited power from the power supply during the wake interval. A charge level for a battery of the power supply is determined using the charge sensor. The wake interval is adjusted based on the charge level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas Bernard Breen, James Daniel Phelan
  • Publication number: 20080157944
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for binding a first wireless communication unit installed on a first asset and a second wireless communication unit installed on a second asset, wherein the first asset is connected to the second asset by electrical power lines. The method and system can be used for binding a wireless communication unit of a tractor and a wireless communication unit on a trailer. The method monitors the current in the auxiliary power connection between the assets. By transmitting and detecting power pulses through the auxiliary power line, the wireless communication units can ensure that the two assets are attached and therefore it would be proper to establish a wireless connection between the two wireless communication units. The number of power pulses can be used to identify differing devices. Such method can also be used to detect an open fuse or circuit breaker. In the case of an open fuse, voltages can be used in place of power pulses to complete the binding process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventor: Thomas Bernard Breen
  • Publication number: 20080162034
    Abstract: A system and method for automatically generating a set of geo-fences to be used by a telematics device mounted on a mobile asset in tracking the mobile asset traveling from a starting location to and ending location, wherein the set of geo-fences is selected from a library of geo-fences based an expected route of travel between the starting location and the ending location and one or more criteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventor: Thomas Bernard Breen
  • Publication number: 20080163231
    Abstract: Provided are a method and system for providing a resource to a geolocated asset in need of the resource, comprising providing data of one or more providers of the resource including the location of the providers; determining that the asset needs the resource; locating the asset using the telematics device; correlating the asset location with the resource provider locations to determine a select resource provider; arranging for the asset to rendezvous with the select resource provider; and providing the resource to the asset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas Bernard Breen, James Daniel Phelan
  • Publication number: 20070079737
    Abstract: In a method for removing NOx from the flue gas using a coal water slurry, other carbon containing fuel and water, or unburned carbon existing in the furnace itself due to continuing combustion, the ratio of carbon to water is adjusted so that a portion of the carbon forms activated carbon after injection of the fuel slurry into the flue gas. The activated carbon is then available to collect mercury chloride from the flue gas which has been formed through the enhancement of the mercury and chlorine oxidation reaction, enhanced through the heterogeneous reaction mechanism of this same activated carbon in the primary combustion fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventors: Bernard Breen, Robert Schrecengost
  • Publication number: 20060029532
    Abstract: In a method of removing metals such as mercury from flue gas produced by combustion devices, water or water including a calcium-containing component or water including Cl? anion formers or water including both a calcium-containing component and Cl? anion formers is injected into the flue gas in a manner so that there are sufficient amounts of these materials in the flue gas when the flue gas is at a temperature from about 250° F. to about 350° F. to retain the mercury within the aqueous phase. After the water evaporates, the oxidized mercury is retained on the dry flyash particles present in the flue gas. These flyash particles bound with the oxidized mercury are removed from the flue gas by a particulate removal device, such as an electrostatic precipitator, baghouse filter or cyclone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2004
    Publication date: February 9, 2006
    Inventors: Bernard Breen, Robert Schrecengost, Stephen Niksa
  • Publication number: 20060029531
    Abstract: In a method for removing mercury from flue gas produced by combustion devices burning coal and other fuels that contain mercury and chlorine the combustion process is controlled to generate a flue gas comprising fly ash containing at least 0.25% unburned carbon, and preferably at least 5.0% unburned carbon. In addition the flue gas is rapidly cooled from a temperature within the range of 1450° F. to 900° F. to a temperature below 900° F. at a rate of at least 1000° F. per second. This step will enhance the concentrations of Cl-atoms and Cl2, which accelerates the rates of mercury oxidation in both the gas phase and on particle surfaces. Finally, the flue gas is directed to the particle removal device for removal of the fly ash to which some of the mercury is bound, and also directed to a wet scrubber for retention of the oxidized mercury vapor in wastewater and solid effluents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2004
    Publication date: February 9, 2006
    Inventors: Bernard Breen, Robert Schrecengost, Stephen Niksa
  • Publication number: 20060011115
    Abstract: Ammonia and optionally carbon monoxide are injected into the flue gas containing metals such as mercury in a manner so that there are sufficient amounts of these materials in the flue gas when the flue gas is at a temperature of from 900° F. to 1,450° F. to oxidize the metals within the flue gas. The oxidized metals are then attracted to particulates present in the flue gas. Oxidation is facilitated by a reaction zone stabilizer through which the flue gas flows. The stabilizer provides a stable continuous ignition front. These particulates bound with oxidized metals are removed from the flue gas by a particulate removal device such as an electrostatic precipitator or baghouse. After the ammonia is injected, the flue gas can be rapidly cooled to a temperature below 500° F. to minimize decomposition of oxidized metals in the flue gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Publication date: January 19, 2006
    Inventors: Bernard Breen, Robert Schrecengost
  • Patent number: 6310330
    Abstract: An improved system and method for controlling the temperature of a resistance heater in a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (“HVAC”) system is disclosed. The control circuit and method includes three separate thermostats per heater leg and are designed to trip at three, sequential pre-selected temperatures to address certain issues associated with prior art designs for thermal overload protection. One of the thermostats is of an automatically resettable type wherein the remaining two are of a “one-shot” design and will remain open until there is human intervention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Transport International Pool, Inc.
    Inventors: Ljubisa Dragoljub Stevanovic, Ahmed Elasser, Thomas Bernard Breen, Wayne William Mihailov, Rollie Richard Herzog
  • Patent number: 4960059
    Abstract: A method is disclosed which overcomes the problems which tend to occur in the retrofitting of coal burners for low-NOx emission. A gaseous or volatile liquid fuel is introduced into the primary or secondary air with the amount ranging from 2% to 25% of the boiler energy input as necessary to achieve the necessary NOx reduction and improved load following without operational problems. Optionally gas can be injected through gas burners in an amount ranging from 2% to 50% of the boiler energy input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1990
    Assignee: Consolidated Natural Gas Service Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene Berkau, Bernard Breen, James E. Gabrielson, Steve Winberg