Patents by Inventor Bruce Edward Backus

Bruce Edward Backus 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).

  • Multiple compressor system and method for locomotives
    Patent number: 9302682
    Abstract: A system and method for maintaining a supply of compressed air on a locomotive. In one embodiment of the invention a compressed air system for a railroad locomotive comprises: a first air compressor; a second air compressor; a layover heater for maintaining the temperature of engine coolant; and a control system, wherein the first air compressor, the second air compressor, the layover heater, and the control package can be powered by at least one of the following power sources: an onboard electrical power source; or an offboard power source, wherein the layover heater can utilize heat generated by the first air compressor and the second air compressor to maintain the temperature of engine coolant, and wherein the control system operating the compressed air system utilizes a first logic when the power source is the onboard electrical power source and a second logic when the power source is the off board power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Donald Dietrich Graab, Bruce Edward Backus
  • Multiple Compressor System and Method For Locomotives
    Publication number: 20120272857
    Abstract: A system and method for maintaining a supply of compressed air on a locomotive. In one embodiment of the invention a compressed air system for a railroad locomotive comprises: a first air compressor; a second air compressor; a layover heater for maintaining the temperature of engine coolant; and a control system, wherein the first air compressor, the second air compressor, the layover heater, and the control package can be powered by at least one of the following power sources: an onboard electrical power source; or an offboard power source, wherein the layover heater can utilize heat generated by the first air compressor and the second air compressor to maintain the temperature of engine coolant, and wherein the control system operating the compressed air system utilizes a first logic when the power source is the onboard electrical power source and a second logic when the power source is the off board power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: Norfolk Southern
    Inventors: Donald Dietrich Graab, Bruce Edward Backus