Patents by Inventor Brian E. Kurz

Brian E. Kurz 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: 11282493
    Abstract: An adaptive noise filtering system and method detect sounds using a sensor onboard a vehicle system. A value of a signal associated with operation of the vehicle system is determined. One or more sounds detected by the sensor are filtered out based on the value of the signal that is determined. Operation of the vehicle system may be controlled using the remaining sound(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Brian E. Kurz
  • Publication number: 20200111472
    Abstract: An adaptive noise filtering system and method detect sounds using a sensor onboard a vehicle system. A value of a signal associated with operation of the vehicle system is determined. One or more sounds detected by the sensor are filtered out based on the value of the signal that is determined. Operation of the vehicle system may be controlled using the remaining sound(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Inventor: Brian E. Kurz
  • Patent number: 10453440
    Abstract: A method of noise filtering on a locomotive includes converting sounds received by one or more transducer at first and second period of times into first and second electric signals and comparing a value of a signal that varies with operation, movement, or both of the locomotive to a reference value. When the signal value is one of less than or greater than the reference value during the first period of time, a controller stores a first unfiltered digitized version of the first sound in a memory. When the signal value is the other of less than or greater than the reference value during the second period of time, the controller stores in the memory a second, filtered digitized version of the second sound that is filtered in a frequency spectrum associated with the second sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Brian E. Kurz
  • Patent number: 10094729
    Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for certifying an end-of-train device pressure calibration is provided. The system includes an end-of-train device including a brake pipe interface adapted to be removably connected to a brake pipe system of a train and to receive air having a pressure from the brake pipe system, and a pressure sensing device configured to measure the air pressure received in the brake pipe interface to obtain a measured pressure. The system also includes a pressure calibration device adapted to be removably connected to the brake pipe interface when the end-of-train device is removed from the train, the pressure calibration device configured to output air at a regulated pressure to the brake pipe interface, and at least one controller programmed or configured to determine a calibration certification result based at least partially on a difference between the measured pressure and the regulated pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Wabtec Holding Corp.
    Inventors: Padam D. Swar, Brian E. Kurz
  • Patent number: 9845099
    Abstract: System and computer-implemented methods and processes for data management of a plurality of target devices of a vehicle, the system including a portable computer device programmed for wireless connectivity to a network and data management activities and interaction with the target devices. The system and computer-implemented methods and processes are particularly useful in connection with trains having at least one locomotive, where the train includes multiple target devices, such as a train event recording system and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Brian E. Kurz
  • Patent number: 9813405
    Abstract: Systems and methods for protecting and preventing unauthorized transfer or downloading of recorded train event data for use in a train event recording system of a train. A train event recording system and an authenticated data storage device are also disclosed. According to one preferred and non-limiting embodiment, provided is a system for protecting recorded train event data, the system including at least one external memory device having encrypted authentication data stored thereon, the encrypted authentication data including authentication data encrypted with at least one first key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Wabtec Holding Corp.
    Inventor: Brian E. Kurz
  • Publication number: 20160231194
    Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for certifying an end-of-train device pressure calibration is provided. The system includes an end-of-train device including a brake pipe interface adapted to be removably connected to a brake pipe system of a train and to receive air having a pressure from the brake pipe system, and a pressure sensing device configured to measure the air pressure received in the brake pipe interface to obtain a measured pressure. The system also includes a pressure calibration device adapted to be removably connected to the brake pipe interface when the end-of-train device is removed from the train, the pressure calibration device configured to output air at a regulated pressure to the brake pipe interface, and at least one controller programmed or configured to determine a calibration certification result based at least partially on a difference between the measured pressure and the regulated pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: Padam D. Swar, Brian E. Kurz
  • Patent number: 9341537
    Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for certifying an end-of-train device pressure calibration is provided. The system includes a pressure calibration device configured to output a regulated pressure; and an end-of-train device comprising: a brake pipe interface adapted to receive the regulated pressure from the pressure calibration device; and a pressure sensing device configured to obtain a measured pressure by measuring the regulated pressure. At least one of the pressure calibration device and the end-of-train device comprises at least one controller configured to determine a calibration certification result based at least partially on a difference between the measured pressure and the regulated pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Wabtec Holding Corp.
    Inventors: Padam D. Swar, Brian E. Kurz
  • Publication number: 20160082988
    Abstract: System and computer-implemented methods and processes for data management of a plurality of target devices of a vehicle, the system including a portable computer device programmed for wireless connectivity to a network and data management activities and interaction with the target devices. The system and computer-implemented methods and processes are particularly useful in connection with trains having at least one locomotive, where the train includes multiple target devices, such as a train event recording system and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventor: Brian E. Kurz
  • Publication number: 20160014111
    Abstract: Systems and methods for protecting and preventing unauthorized transfer or downloading of recorded train event data for use in a train event recording system of a train. A train event recording system and an authenticated data storage device are also disclosed. According to one preferred and non-limiting embodiment, provided is a system for protecting recorded train event data, the system including at least one external memory device having encrypted authentication data stored thereon, the encrypted authentication data including authentication data encrypted with at least one first key.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventor: Brian E. Kurz