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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Publication number: 20170334414Abstract: A system includes a sensor and a controller. The sensor is configured to detect sliding of a wheel of a vehicle. The controller is configured to communicate with the sensor and a traction motor operatively connected to the wheel such that the traction motor selectively applies forces in at least one direction to the wheel during operation. The controller is further configured to direct the traction motor to apply a motoring slide reducing force to the wheel when the sensor detects sliding of the wheel resulting from a frictional braking force.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2016Publication date: November 23, 2017Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: AJITH KUTTANNAIR KUMAR, BRET DWAYNE WORDEN, GLENN LOVERCHECK, DHARMDEO SINGH, JINGJUN ZHANG, JEREMY McGARRY
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Publication number: 20170320502Abstract: A system for controlling a consist of rail vehicles or other vehicles includes a control unit electrically coupled to a first rail vehicle in the consist, the control unit having a processor and being configured to receive signals representing a presence and position of one or more tractive effort systems on-board the first vehicle and other rail vehicles in the consist, and a set of instructions stored in a non-transient medium accessible by the processor, the instructions configured to control the processor to create a optimization schedule that manages the use of the one or more tractive effort systems based on the presence and position of the tractive effort systems within the consist.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2017Publication date: November 9, 2017Inventors: Bret Dwayne WORDEN, Brian Douglas LAWRY, Jeremy Thomas MCGARRY, Jennifer Lynn COYNE, Matthew John MALONE
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Patent number: 9810730Abstract: Methods and systems detect short circuits in an electrical system, such as a dynamic braking grid of a vehicle. The methods and system measure a characteristic of a current that is conducted through one or more resistive elements of an electrical system. The current is supplied to the electrical system from a power source as an applied voltage. A resistance change signal representative of a change in one or more electrical resistances of the one or more resistive elements is determined The resistance change signal can be based at least in part on a difference between the characteristic of the current that is measured and a low pass filtered value of one or more of the characteristic of the current that is measured or the applied voltage supplied by the power source. A short circuit event is identified based at least in part on the resistance change signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2015Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: William James Premerlani, Karim Younsi, Bret Dwayne Worden, John Krahn, Daniel Cullen, Ajith Kuttannair Kumar
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Patent number: 9771933Abstract: Systems and methods of the invention relate to diagnosing a compressor. A method may include monitoring a pressure of compressed air within a reservoir of a compressor, actuating an unloader valve of the compressor, and detecting a leak condition of the compressor through recognition of a change in the monitored pressure of the compressed air within the reservoir during a time period in which the unloader valve is actuated. A system is also disclosed including an engine, a compressor operatively connected to the engine, and a controller that is operable to determine a condition of the compressor.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2013Date of Patent: September 26, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Bret Dwayne Worden, Richard C. Peoples, David E. Peterson, Jason M. Strode, Neil W. Burkell, Milan Karunaratne
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Publication number: 20170268439Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2016Publication date: September 21, 2017Inventors: Munishwar AHUJA, Bret Dwayne WORDEN, Shankar CHANDRASEKARAN, Vinay RAMU, Adityo Kusumo ARIWIBOWO
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Patent number: 9751542Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle system includes determining a vehicle reference speed using an off-board-based input speed and an onboard-based input speed. The off-board-based input speed is representative of a moving speed of the vehicle system and is determined from data received from an off-board device. The onboard-based input speed is representative of the moving speed of the vehicle system and is determined from data obtained from an onboard device. The method includes using the vehicle reference speed to at least one of measure wheel creep for one or more wheels of the vehicle system or control at least one of torques applied by or rotational speeds of one or more motors of the vehicle system.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2015Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: David Bradley Pulliam, Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Bret Dwayne Worden, Jeremy Thomas McGarry, Kevin Ray Ruybal
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Patent number: 9746452Abstract: System including 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 21, 2013Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Bret Dwayne Worden, Mahalakshmi Shunmugham Balasubramaniam, Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Jingjun Zhang, Jennifer Lynn Coyne, Sachidananda Chinagudi Jagadeesha
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Patent number: 9738159Abstract: A system includes a grid coupled to an electrical bus; an electrical power modulation device coupled to the electrical bus that can output modified electrical power received from the electrical bus; a blower motor coupled to the electrical power modulation device that can receive the modified electrical power output and can provide a stream of air to affect a temperature of the grid, and a controller. A speed of the blower motor may be based at least in part on an amount of the modified electrical power. The controller can receive an operating parameter, and is responsive to that parameter by causing the electrical power modulation device to vary the amount of the modified electrical power. A blower motor speed may be controlled based at least in part on the operating parameter.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2016Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Emil Nikolov, Ajith Kuttainnair Kumar, Theodore Clark Brown, Bret Dwayne Worden, Sudhir Kumar Gupta
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Patent number: 9728016Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring a vehicle determine a baseline wheel rotational speed and wheel rotational speeds of a wheel for different positions along an outer perimeter of the wheel. One or more deviations between the wheel rotational speeds and the baseline wheel rotational speed are determined, and the deviations between the wheel rotational speeds and the baseline wheel rotational speed are correlated with one or more identified positions of the positions along the outer perimeter of the wheel. One or more of damage to the wheel or damage to a drivetrain of the vehicle is identified based at least in part on the one or more deviations being correlated with the one or more identified positions.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2014Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Bret Dwayne Worden, Jeffrey David Willis, Jeffrey Paul Moffett, Mark Alan Pfingsten, Steven Joseph Ehret
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Patent number: 9718480Abstract: A system for controlling a consist of rail vehicles or other vehicles includes a control unit electrically coupled to a first rail vehicle in the consist, the control unit having a processor and being configured to receive signals representing a presence and position of one or more tractive effort systems on-board the first vehicle and other rail vehicles in the consist, and a set of instructions stored in a non-transient medium accessible by the processor, the instructions configured to control the processor to create a optimization schedule that manages the use of the one or more tractive effort systems based on the presence and position of the tractive effort systems within the consist.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2014Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Bret Dwayne Worden, Brian Douglas Lawry, Jeremy Thomas McGarry, Jennifer Lynn Coyne, Matthew John Malone
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Patent number: 9677556Abstract: Systems and methods of the invention relate to diagnosing a compressor. A method may include operating a compressor to compress air from a first stage compressor into an intermediate stage reservoir, to deliver air from the intermediate stage reservoir to a second stage compressor, and to further compress the air in the second stage compressor into a primary reservoir, monitoring an intermediate stage pressure of the intermediate stage reservoir, and identifying a condition of the compressor through recognition of a change in the monitored intermediate stage pressure during a time period in which the compressor is operated. A vehicle system is also provided including an engine, a compressor operatively connected to the engine, and a controller that is operable to identify a condition of the compressor.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2013Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Bret Dwayne Worden, Richard C. Peoples, David E. Peterson, Jason M. Strode, Neil W. Burkell, Milan Karunaratne
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Publication number: 20170122230Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for detecting a change in turbocharger performance. In one example, a method comprises determining a level of turbocharger imbalance based on output from a turbine speed sensor and generating a signal related to a change in a performance level of the turbocharger if the level of turbocharger imbalance is greater than a threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2015Publication date: May 4, 2017Inventors: Aninda Bhattacharya, Bret Dwayne Worden, Ajay Kumar Behera, Mahesh Panicker, Wrichik Basu, Matthew John Malone, Arwa Hatim Ginwala
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Publication number: 20170036681Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2016Publication date: February 9, 2017Inventors: 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: 9464394Abstract: A method for detecting clogs in a tractive effort system of a rail vehicle or other vehicle includes the steps of determining a baseline air flow rate from an air compressor during steady state conditions, actuating the tractive effort system, determining a secondary air flow rate from the air compressor subsequent to actuation of the tractive effort system, and comparing the secondary air flow rate to the baseline air flow rate.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2014Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Bret Dwayne Worden, Brian Douglas Lawry, Matthew John Malone, Jennifer Lynn Coyne, Jeremy Thomas McGarry
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Patent number: 9447745Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an engine including a crankcase. A condition of the engine may be diagnosed based on frequency content of crankcase pressure. Different types of degradation may be distinguished based on a frequency content of multiple frequencies of the crankcase pressure. Thus, a degraded engine component may be identified in a manner that reduces service induced delay.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2011Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Bret Dwayne Worden, Matthew Malone, Milan Karunaratne, Paul Lloyd Flynn
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Publication number: 20160257201Abstract: A system includes a grid coupled to an electrical bus; an electrical power modulation device coupled to the electrical bus that can output modified electrical power received from the electrical bus; a blower motor coupled to the electrical power modulation device that can receive the modified electrical power output and can provide a stream of air to affect a temperature of the grid, and a controller. A speed of the blower motor may be based at least in part on an amount of the modified electrical power. The controller can receive an operating parameter, and is responsive to that parameter by causing the electrical power modulation device to vary the amount of the modified electrical power. A blower motor speed may be controlled based at least in part on the operating parameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2016Publication date: September 8, 2016Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Emil Nikolov, Ajith Kuttainnair Kumar, Theodore Clark Brown, Bret Dwayne Worden, Sudhir Kumar Gupta
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Patent number: 9431941Abstract: Methods for detecting a short fault of an alternator rectifier electronic component include sampling a field winding voltage or current signal of an alternator, during operation of the alternator, and determining a fault ripple period at which the alternator field winding signal exceeds a fault threshold. A short fault of an electronic component of a rectifier coupled to the alternator is detected in the event that the fault ripple period closely matches an alternator armature period. Alternatively or additionally, the sampled field winding signal is band pass filtered, and a short fault is detected in the event that an amplitude of the band pass filtered field winding signal exceeds a fault threshold. The methods can be implemented, for example, by an apparatus that includes a hysteresis frequency counter, a frequency comparator, and a countdown timer.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2015Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Rajeev Verma, Bret Dwayne Worden
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Publication number: 20160241176Abstract: Methods for detecting a short fault of an alternator rectifier electronic component include sampling a field winding voltage or current signal of an alternator, during operation of the alternator, and determining a fault ripple period at which the alternator field winding signal exceeds a fault threshold. A short fault of an electronic component of a rectifier coupled to the alternator is detected in the event that the fault ripple period closely matches an alternator armature period. Alternatively or additionally, the sampled field winding signal is band pass filtered, and a short fault is detected in the event that an amplitude of the band pass filtered field winding signal exceeds a fault threshold. The methods can be implemented, for example, by an apparatus that includes a hysteresis frequency counter, a frequency comparator, and a countdown timer.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2015Publication date: August 18, 2016Inventors: Rajeev VERMA, Bret Dwayne WORDEN
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Patent number: 9391543Abstract: A system includes a grid coupled to an electrical bus; an electrical power modulation device coupled to the electrical bus that can output modified electrical power received from the electrical bus: a blower motor coupled to the electrical power modulation device that can receive the modified electrical power output and can provide a stream of air to affect a temperature of the grid, and a controller. A speed of the blower motor may be based at least in part on an amount of the modified electrical power. The controller can receive an operating parameter, and is responsive to that parameter by causing the electrical power modulation device to vary the amount of the modified electrical power. A blower motor speed may be controlled based at least in part on the operating parameter.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2014Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Emil Nikolov, Ajith Kuttainnair Kumar, Theodore Clark Brown, Bret Dwayne Worden, Sudhir Kumar Gupta
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Publication number: 20160185367Abstract: An apparatus for lifting and moving an axle of a rail vehicle includes a frame, a pair of rollers rotatably mounted to the frame to movably support the frame on a railroad track rail, and a pair of wedges mounted to the frame having mutually opposed ramped faces. The pair of wedges adjustable along the frame between a first position in which the ramped faces bracket, but do not contact, a rail vehicle wheel that rests on the track rail, and a second position in which the ramped faces engage the circumference of the wheel to support the wheel at a height above the railroad track rail. The apparatus further includes at least one jacking device for urging the wedges toward one another from the first position to the second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2014Publication date: June 30, 2016Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: SUYU HOU, AJITH KUTTANNAIR KUMAR, BRET DWAYNE WORDEN, ROBERT MICHAEL ZIRIN, JINGJUN ZHANG, DENNIS RICHTER