Patents by Inventor Charles W. Morris
Charles W. Morris 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: 20220054921Abstract: A portable golf mat includes a first portion coupled with a second portion at a first hinge, a third portion coupled with the second portion at a second hinge, and a fourth portion coupled with the third portion at a third hinge. Each portion has a first layer formed from a rubber material and a second layer comprising an artificial turf. The first portion is foldable about the first hinge relative to the second portion so that the first portion top surface contacts the second portion top surface, the second portion is foldable about the second hinge relative to the third portion so that the second portion bottom surface contacts the third portion bottom surface, and the fourth portion is foldable about the third hinge relative to the third portion so that the fourth portion top surface contacts the third portion top surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2021Publication date: February 24, 2022Inventor: Charles W. Morris
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Patent number: 10000222Abstract: Methods and systems that utilize radio frequency identification (RFID) tags mounted at trackside points of interest (POI) together with an RFID tag reader mounted on an end of train (EOT) car. The RFID tag reader and the RFID tags work together to provide information that can be used in a number of ways including, but not limited to, determining train integrity, determining a geographical location of the EOT car, and determine that the EOT car has cleared the trackside POI along the track.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2015Date of Patent: June 19, 2018Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Richard A. Allshouse, Charles W. Morris, Joseph E. Sanfilippo
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Patent number: 9715035Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for quantitatively identifying gas zones irrespective of porosity or lithology using nuclear downhole tools are provided. In particular, because some formation materials such as shales can confound some conventional measurements, a gas detection measurement may be obtained that can be used to qualitatively identify gas zones. The gas detection measurement may be based at least partly on a relationship between inelastic gamma rays, neutron capture gamma rays, and experimental or modeled formation data, such that the gas detection measurement qualitatively indicates a gas zone when a gas zone is present in a formation irrespective of a lithology or a porosity of the formation.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2011Date of Patent: July 25, 2017Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Charles W. Morris, Jeffrey Grant, Aron Kramer
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Publication number: 20170043797Abstract: Methods and systems that utilize radio frequency identification (RFID) tags mounted at trackside points of interest (POI) together with an RFID tag reader mounted on an end of train (EOT) car. The RFID tag reader and the RFID tags work together to provide information that can be used in a number of ways including, but not limited to, determining train integrity, determining a geographical location of the EOT car, and determine that the EOT car has cleared the trackside POI along the track.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2015Publication date: February 16, 2017Inventors: Richard A. ALLSHOUSE, Charles W. MORRIS, Joseph E. SANFILIPPO
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Publication number: 20160016597Abstract: Methods and systems are described that can be used to verify a track database of a train management system, for example that the track database has not been corrupted, built with critical errors, or is not being used properly by the software application. In one embodiment, radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are mounted on the trackside features contained in the track database. The tags contain data such as the geographical coordinates of the trackside features and a unique feature identifier that uniquely identifies the respective feature. As the train passes the trackside feature, a tag reader on the train reads the tag to gather the geographical coordinates and the feature identifier. The train management system then compares the geographical coordinates and/or the feature identifier from the tag with the expected geographical coordinates and/or the expected feature identifier in the track database.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2015Publication date: January 21, 2016Inventor: Charles W. MORRIS
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Patent number: 9174657Abstract: Methods and systems are described that can be used to verify a track database of a train management system, for example that the track database has not been corrupted, built with critical errors, or is not being used properly by the software application. In one embodiment, radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are mounted on the trackside features contained in the track database. The tags contain data such as the geographical coordinates of the trackside features and a unique feature identifier that uniquely identifies the respective feature. As the train passes the trackside feature, a tag reader on the train reads the tag to gather the geographical coordinates and the feature identifier. The train management system then compares the geographical coordinates and/or the feature identifier from the tag with the expected geographical coordinates and/or the expected feature identifier in the track database.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventor: Charles W. Morris
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Patent number: 8918237Abstract: Systems and methods that can be used in a Positive Train Control system to continuously monitor train integrity and end of train location using radio frequency (RF) ranging techniques to determine the line of sight distance between the head end and the end of the train. The systems and methods allow PTC controlled trains to maintain positive length of train awareness and to determine if a portion of the train separates unintentionally. The systems and methods can be implemented on existing RF infrastructure used on trains, without impacting existing messaging traffic, adding bandwidth or power requirements. The systems and methods work on stretched trains running on tangent or straight track, as well as on foreshortened trains running on curved track.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventor: Charles W. Morris
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Publication number: 20140277859Abstract: Systems and methods that can be used in a Positive Train Control system to continuously monitor train integrity and end of train location using radio frequency (RF) ranging techniques to determine the line of sight distance between the head end and the end of the train. The systems and methods allow PTC controlled trains to maintain positive length of train awareness and to determine if a portion of the train separates unintentionally. The systems and methods can be implemented on existing RF infrastructure used on trains, without impacting existing messaging traffic, adding bandwidth or power requirements. The systems and methods work on stretched trains running on tangent or straight track, as well as on foreshortened trains running on curved track.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATIONInventor: Charles W. MORRIS
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Publication number: 20140263862Abstract: Methods and systems are described that can be used to verify a track database of a train management system, for example that the track database has not been corrupted, built with critical errors, or is not being used properly by the software application. In one embodiment, radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are mounted on the trackside features contained in the track database. The tags contain data such as the geographical coordinates of the trackside features and a unique feature identifier that uniquely identifies the respective feature. As the train passes the trackside feature, a tag reader on the train reads the tag to gather the geographical coordinates and the feature identifier. The train management system then compares the geographical coordinates and/or the feature identifier from the tag with the expected geographical coordinates and/or the expected feature identifier in the track database.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATIONInventor: Charles W. MORRIS
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Patent number: 8688297Abstract: Methods and systems for continually measuring the length of a train operating in a positive train control environment are provided. Particularly, the methods and systems provided herein equate repetitive line of sight ranging measurements from the head end to the rear end of a train with the physically draped length of the train along a mapped track with various horizontal and vertical curvature characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventor: Charles W. Morris
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Publication number: 20130234012Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for quantatively identifying gas zones irrespective of porosity or lithology using nuclear downhole tools are provided. In particular, because some formation materials such as shales can confound some conventional measurements, a gas detection measurement may be obtained that can be used to qualitatively identify gas zones. The as detection measurement may be based at least partly on a relationship between inelastic gamma rays, neutron capture gamma rays, and experimental or modeled formation data, such that the gas detection measurement qualitatively indicates a gas zone when a gas zone is present in a formation irrespective of a lithology or a porosity of the formation.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2011Publication date: September 12, 2013Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Charles W. Morris, Jeffrey Grant, Aron Kramer
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Patent number: 8392103Abstract: A database schema is disclosed that can significantly reduce the quantity of data required to describe the geometry of a train track and the geo-locations of features (e.g., grade crossings, mileposts, signals, platforms, switches, spurs, etc.) along the track. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, a railroad track is represented as a plurality of partitions, each of which has its geometry contained within unique track point elements. Multiple track partitions are then joined together by common track point elements at their boundaries to create continuous rail networks. A compact table schema is employed that enables continuous sections of three-dimensional track splines to be rendered accurately in the track database, irrespective of the location of vertical and horizontal curvature along track segments. The data representation scheme also enables efficient storage of the geo-locations of features along a track, as well as the direct reconstitution of accurate three-dimensional track splines.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2009Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Thomas J. Meyer, Charles W. Morris
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Patent number: 8244456Abstract: Methods for validating track databases based on the contents of a geological database. The track database stores a piecewise-polynomial spline as a geometric representation of the track, along with offsets from spline points to represent the geo-locations of features on the track. After the computations associated with the geometric representation are completed and the track database is populated, the geo-locations of features in the track database are checked for consistency with the geo-locations of monuments in the geological database. If the geo-location of a feature in the track database is found to differ by more than a threshold distance from its projected geo-location, as computed from offsets from a monument in the geological database, then corrective action is taken. The illustrative embodiment also enables the validation of data values in the track database and relationships among track features.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2009Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventor: Charles W. Morris
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Publication number: 20120116616Abstract: Methods and systems for continually measuring the length of a train operating in a positive train control environment are provided. Particularly, the methods and systems provided herein equate repetitive line of sight ranging measurements from the head end to the rear end of a train with the physically draped length of the train along a mapped track with various horizontal and vertical curvature characteristics.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2011Publication date: May 10, 2012Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATIONInventor: Charles W. MORRIS
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Patent number: 8126934Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for updating a train track database after track maintenance so that the database correctly reflects any changes to track geometry or to the geo-locations of features along the tracks (e.g., grade crossings, mileposts, signals, platforms, switches, spurs, etc.). Advantageously, the techniques of the illustrative embodiment enable a track maintenance crew to cost-effectively obtain post-maintenance measurements for features without the use of a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit (e.g., using a tape measure, using a laser rangefinder, etc.).Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2009Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventor: Charles W. Morris
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Patent number: 8073581Abstract: An improved method of rail survey deploys feature identification tags along an inner edge of a train track rail. Each tag includes a unique identifier to identify a respective feature along the train track. Each tag includes a reflector to reflect light to a sensor on a track surveyor. The sensor reads track feature tags without the need for stopping at each feature. A track database is provided that is capable of storing tables that associate track features with geo-locations. As each tag is deployed or read during a rail survey, it can be paired with geo-location data and stored in the track database.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2008Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Charles W. Morris, Matthew A. Rhodes
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Publication number: 20100235405Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for updating a train track database after track maintenance so that the database correctly reflects any changes to track geometry or to the geo-locations of features along the tracks (e.g., grade crossings, mileposts, signals, platforms, switches, spurs, etc.). Advantageously, the techniques of the illustrative embodiment enable a track maintenance crew to cost-effectively obtain post-maintenance measurements for features without the use of a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit (e.g., using a tape measure, using a laser rangefinder, etc.).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2009Publication date: September 16, 2010Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATIONInventor: Charles W. Morris
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Publication number: 20100235404Abstract: Methods for validating track databases based on the contents of a geological database are disclosed. The track database stores a piecewise-polynomial spline as a geometric representation of the track, along with offsets from spline points to represent the geo-locations of features on the track. After the computations associated with the geometric representation are completed and the track database is populated, the geo-locations of features in the track database are checked for consistency with the geo-locations of monuments in the geological database. If the geo-location of a feature in the track database is found to differ by more than a threshold distance from its projected geo-location, as computed from offsets from a monument in the geological database, then corrective action is taken. The illustrative embodiment also enables the validation of data values in the track database and relationships among track features.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2009Publication date: September 16, 2010Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATIONInventor: Charles W. Morris
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Patent number: D937951Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2020Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Inventor: Charles W. Morris
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Patent number: RE49498Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2022Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Inventor: Charles W. Morris