Patents by Inventor Bret Dwayne Worden
Bret Dwayne Worden 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).
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Patent number: 11885791Abstract: A system includes a sensor configured to be disposed within a reservoir of a machine having moving parts that are lubricated by a liquid in the reservoir. The sensor is configured to obtain a measurement of the liquid that is representative of at least one of a quantity or quality of the liquid in the reservoir. The system also includes a device body operably coupled to the sensor. The device body has a processing unit that is operably coupled to the sensor and configured to generate first data signals representative of the measurement of the liquid. The device body also includes a transmitter that is configured to wirelessly communicate the first data signals to a remote reader.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2019Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: TRANSPORTATION IP HOLDINGS, LLCInventors: Bret Dwayne Worden, Mahalakshmi Shunmugham Balasubramaniam, Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Jingjun Zhang, Jennifer Lynn Coyne, Sachidananda Chinagudi Jagadeesha
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Publication number: 20230016710Abstract: A system and method for controlling a vehicle system may determine one or more of a route parameter of a route on which the vehicle system is moving or a vehicle parameter of the vehicle system. The system and method may also determine whether a ratio of a lateral force exerted by one or more wheels of the vehicle system on the route to a vertical force exerted by the one or more wheels of the vehicle system on the route increases to a value exceeding a designated threshold as a result of the one or more route parameter of vehicle parameter that is determined. The ratio of the lateral force to the vertical force exerted by the one or more wheels of the vehicle system on the route may be reduced to a value less than the designated threshold by changing an operation of the vehicle system.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2022Publication date: January 19, 2023Inventors: Bret Dwayne Worden, Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Jingjun Zhang
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Patent number: 11485393Abstract: A system and method for controlling a vehicle system determine one or more of a route parameter of a route on which the vehicle system is moving or a vehicle parameter of the vehicle system. The system and method also determine whether a ratio of a lateral force exerted by one or more wheels of the vehicle system on the route to a vertical force exerted by the one or more wheels of the vehicle system on the route increases to a value exceeding a designated threshold as a result of the one or more route parameter of vehicle parameter that is determined. The ratio of the lateral force to the vertical force exerted by the one or more wheels of the vehicle system on the route is reduced to a value less than the designated threshold by changing an operation of the vehicle system.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2019Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: Transportation IP Holdings, LLCInventors: Bret Dwayne Worden, Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Jingjun Zhang
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Patent number: 11198453Abstract: Examples for a traction system are provided. In one example, the traction system includes a nozzle coupled to an air source and configured to be selectively aimed toward a determined portion of a rail surface of a rail, and a conduit configured to supply pressurized air from the air source to the nozzle, the nozzle flexibly coupled thereto. The nozzle is configured for the aim of the nozzle to be controlled to change its aiming direction in response to a change in curvature of the rail, whereby a stream of air from the nozzle impacts the determined portion during movement of the vehicle through the curvature of the rail.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2018Date of Patent: December 14, 2021Assignee: Transportation IP Holdings, LLCInventors: Justin Winston, Adrian Jerzy Gorski, Bret Dwayne Worden, Brian Douglas Lawry, Matthew John Malone, Jennifer Lynn Coyne, Jeremy Thomas McGarry
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Patent number: 11148689Abstract: The systems and methods described herein include monitoring systems and methods that monitor speeds of a motor of a vehicle represented as a pulse signal indicative of a rotational position of the motor. The systems and methods include receive a pulse signal from a speed sensor coupled to a traction motor. The pulse signal is indicative of a rotational position of the traction motor. The systems and methods include analyze the pulse signal to identify per-revolution signal reoccurrences that meet designated criteria, and determine a defect based on the per-revolution signal reoccurrences that are identified. The defect is one or more of a wheel defect, a bearing defect, or a gear defect.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2018Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: TRANSPORTATION IP HOLDINGS, LLCInventors: Bret Dwayne Worden, Ajith Kumar
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Publication number: 20210284110Abstract: A vehicle control system includes a controller comprising one or more processors. The controller is configured to determine a respective force exerted on a route segment by a first wheel of a plurality of wheels of a vehicle and obtain a respective available adhesion value for the first wheel at an interface with the route segment. The controller is configured to determine a respective effective adhesion value to utilize for driving rotation of the first wheel. The effective adhesion value is within a designated wheelslip margin relative to the available adhesion value for the first wheel without exceeding the available adhesion value. The controller is further configured to assign a torque setting to rotate the first wheel based at least in part on the respective force exerted on the route segment by the first wheel and the effective adhesion value for the first wheel.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2020Publication date: September 16, 2021Inventors: Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Bret Dwayne Worden
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Patent number: 10837487Abstract: A bearing assembly is disclosed. The bearing assembly includes a first race. Further, the bearing assembly includes a second race disposed concentric to the first race, where the second race has a radius that changes along an axial length of the bearing assembly. The bearing assembly also includes a housing disposed around the second race and operatively coupled to the second race. Moreover, the bearing assembly includes a plurality of support structures configured to detachably couple the second race to the housing, where the plurality of support structures are configured to disengage the second race from the housing to allow motion of the second race when a torque on the second race is greater than a threshold torque value.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2019Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: Transportation IP Holdings, LLCInventors: Mandyam Rangayan Sridhar, Ravindra Shankar Ganiger, Dinesh R. Rakwal, Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Bret Dwayne Worden
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Publication number: 20200324797Abstract: In one embodiment of the subject matter described herein a system is provided. The system includes a location determining circuit configured to acquire position information of a vehicle system moving along a route. The system includes a controller circuit having one or more processors. The controller circuit is configured to calculate curvatures of the route, based at least in part on the position information, to form a curvature waveform. The controller circuit is further configured to generate a route map based on the curvature waveform.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2020Publication date: October 15, 2020Inventors: Munishwar Ahuja, Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Bret Dwayne Worden, Shankar Chandrasekaran, Dattaraj Jagdish Rao
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Patent number: 10730536Abstract: A system includes a location determining circuit configured to acquire position information of a vehicle system moving along a route. The system also includes a controller circuit having one or more processors. The controller circuit is configured to calculate curvatures of the route, based at least in part on the position information, to form a curvature waveform. The controller circuit is further configured to generate a route map based on the curvature waveform.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2016Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: GE GLOBAL SOURCING LLCInventors: Munishwar Ahuja, Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Bret Dwayne Worden, Shankar Chandrasekaran, Dattaraj Jagdish Rao
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Patent number: 10724462Abstract: Systems and methods (e.g., a method for controlling and/or operating a compressor) are provided that includes the steps of monitoring a crankcase pressure of a first compressor; analyzing the monitored crankcase pressure that includes calculating an average of the crankcase pressure over a time period and comparing the average of the crankcase pressure over the time period to a nominal crankcase average pressure; identifying a condition of the first compressor based on the analysis of the monitored crankcase pressure; and adjusting operation of a second compressor to compensate for the first compressor in response to identifying the condition of the first compressor based on the analysis of the monitored crankcase pressure. (The method may be carried out automatically or otherwise by a controller).Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2017Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Neil William Burkell, Milan Karunaratne, David Edward Petersen, Richard C. Peoples, Jason M. Strode, Bret Dwayne Worden
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Patent number: 10662958Abstract: Systems and a method are provided for determining a change in performance of a radiator fan. In one example, a system includes a controller configured to receive a signal output from an accelerometer positioned proximately to and/or operatively coupled with a bearing of a radiator fan, process the signal to determine a peak to peak acceleration value, and indicate a change in performance of the radiator fan when the peak to peak acceleration value is greater than a designated threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2016Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: Transportation IP Holdings, LLCInventors: Munishwar Ahuja, Bret Dwayne Worden, Shankar Chandrasekaran, Vinay Ramu, Adityo Kusumo Ariwibowo
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Publication number: 20200122755Abstract: A system may include a controller with one or more processors. The controller may determine the wheel size of a wheel of a vehicle during a trip. The one or more processors may communicate a message associated with the wheel size to an off-board device when the wheel size is below a threshold size.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2019Publication date: April 23, 2020Inventors: Christopher Claussen, Jeffrey D. Kernwein, Joseph Gorman, David Bradley Pulliam, Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Bret Dwayne Worden, Jeremy Thomas McGarry, Kevin Ray Ruybal
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Publication number: 20200094855Abstract: A control system receives signals representing a presence and position of a secondary movement system onboard a vehicle. The secondary movement system changes movement of the vehicle without generating thrust or propulsion to move the vehicle. The control system creates a schedule of use of the secondary movement system based on the presence and position of the secondary movement system and controls the secondary movement system based on the schedule that is created.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2019Publication date: March 26, 2020Inventors: Bret Dwayne Worden, Brian Douglas Lawry, Jeremy Thomas McGarry, Jennifer Lynn Coyne, Matthew John Malone
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Patent number: 10598650Abstract: A system includes a sensor, one or more processors, a transmitter, and a capacitance control structure. The sensor is configured to contact a fluid and measure a characteristic of the fluid. The one or more processors are operably coupled to the sensor. The one or more processors are configured to generate one or more data signals representative of the characteristic of the fluid that is measured by the sensor. The transmitter is operably coupled to the one or more processors. The transmitter is configured to wirelessly communicate the one or more data signals to a remote reader. The capacitance control structure is configured to one or more of reduce or isolate sensor capacitance of the sensor from the one or more processors.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2015Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Bret Dwayne Worden, Mahalakshmi Shunmugham Balasubramaniam, Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Jingjun Zhang, Jennifer Lynn Coyne, Sachidananda Chinagudi Jagadeesha
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Publication number: 20200047781Abstract: A system and method for controlling a vehicle system determine one or more of a route parameter of a route on which the vehicle system is moving or a vehicle parameter of the vehicle system. The system and method also determine whether a ratio of a lateral force exerted by one or more wheels of the vehicle system on the route to a vertical force exerted by the one or more wheels of the vehicle system on the route increases to a value exceeding a designated threshold as a result of the one or more route parameter of vehicle parameter that is determined. The ratio of the lateral force to the vertical force exerted by the one or more wheels of the vehicle system on the route is reduced to a value less than the designated threshold by changing an operation of the vehicle system.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2019Publication date: February 13, 2020Inventors: Bret Dwayne Worden, Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Jingjun Zhang
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Publication number: 20200041480Abstract: A system includes a sensor configured to be disposed within a reservoir of a machine having moving parts that are lubricated by a liquid in the reservoir. The sensor is configured to obtain a measurement of the liquid that is representative of at least one of a quantity or quality of the liquid in the reservoir. The system also includes a device body operably coupled to the sensor. The device body has a processing unit that is operably coupled to the sensor and configured to generate first data signals representative of the measurement of the liquid. The device body also includes a transmitter that is configured to wirelessly communicate the first data signals to a remote reader.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2019Publication date: February 6, 2020Inventors: Bret Dwayne Worden, Mahalakshmi Shunmugham Balasubramaniam, Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Jingjun Zhang, Jennifer Lynn Coyne, Sachidananda Chinagudi Jagadeesha
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Patent number: 10518788Abstract: A control system receives signals representing a presence and position of a secondary movement system onboard a vehicle. The secondary movement system changes movement of the vehicle without generating thrust or propulsion to move the vehicle. The control system creates a schedule of use of the secondary movement system based on the presence and position of the secondary movement system and controls the secondary movement system based on the schedule that is created.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2019Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: GE GLOBAL SOURCING LLCInventors: Bret Dwayne Worden, Brian Douglas Lawry, Jeremy Thomas McGarry, Jennifer Lynn Coyne, Matthew John Malone
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Patent number: 10488385Abstract: A system includes a sensor configured to be disposed within a reservoir of a machine having moving parts that are lubricated by a liquid in the reservoir. The sensor is configured to obtain a measurement of the liquid that is representative of at least one of a quantity or quality of the liquid in the reservoir. The system also includes a device body operably coupled to the sensor. The device body has a processing unit that is operably coupled to the sensor and configured to generate first data signals representative of the measurement of the liquid. The device body also includes a transmitter that is configured to wirelessly communicate the first data signals to a remote reader.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2017Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: GE GLOBAL SOURCING LLCInventors: Bret Dwayne Worden, Mahalakshmi Shunmugham Balasubramaniam, Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Jingjun Zhang, Jennifer Lynn Coyne, Sachidananda Chinagudi Jagadeesha
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Publication number: 20190322294Abstract: A control system receives signals representing a presence and position of a secondary movement system onboard a vehicle. The secondary movement system changes movement of the vehicle without generating thrust or propulsion to move the vehicle. The control system creates a schedule of use of the secondary movement system based on the presence and position of the secondary movement system and controls the secondary movement system based on the schedule that is created.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2019Publication date: October 24, 2019Inventors: Bret Dwayne Worden, Brian Douglas Lawry, Jeremy Thomas McGarry, Jennifer Lynn Coyne, Matthew John Malone
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Publication number: 20190301526Abstract: A bearing assembly is disclosed. The bearing assembly includes a first race. Further, the bearing assembly includes a second race disposed concentric to the first race, where the second race has a radius that changes along an axial length of the bearing assembly. The bearing assembly also includes a housing disposed around the second race and operatively coupled to the second race. Moreover, the bearing assembly includes a plurality of support structures configured to detachably couple the second race to the housing, where the plurality of support structures are configured to disengage the second race from the housing to allow motion of the second race when a torque on the second race is greater than a threshold torque value.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2019Publication date: October 3, 2019Inventors: Mandyam Rangayan Sridhar, Ravindra Shankar Ganiger, Dinesh R. Rakwal, Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Bret Dwayne Worden