Patents by Inventor Chitra Ranganathan

Chitra Ranganathan 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).

  • Method and apparatus for safety protection of temporary roof support
    Patent number: 6945738
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method and apparatus for safety protection control of temporary roof support. In one embodiment, a temporary roof support has a load sensing member. In another embodiment, a beam structure of temporary roof support is supported by a load sensing pin. Strain gages are installed within the pin to measure the load placed upon the pin. An unusually high load being sensed by the pin indicates that the roof has fractured and the temporary roof support is supporting loose rock. In one embodiment, when an unusually high load is measured at the pin, the temporary roof support controls at the front of the machine are disabled. A second set of remotely located temporary roof support controls remain operative. In one embodiment, the second set of controls is located at the rear of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: DBT America
    Inventors: Roger O'Quinn, David Wallace, Michael Twigger, Chitra Ranganathan
  • Method and apparatus for safety protection of temporary roof support
    Publication number: 20050073189
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method and apparatus for safety protection control of temporary roof support. In one embodiment, a temporary roof support has a load sensing member. In another embodiment, a beam structure of temporary roof support is supported by a load sensing pin. Strain gages are installed within the pin to measure the load placed upon the pin. An unusually high load being sensed by the pin indicates that the roof has fractured and the temporary roof support is supporting loose rock. In one embodiment, when an unusually high load is measured at the pin, the temporary roof support controls at the front of the machine are disabled. A second set of remotely located temporary roof support controls remain operative. In one embodiment, the second set of controls is located at the rear of the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Publication date: April 7, 2005
    Inventors: Roger O'Quinn, David Wallace, Michael Twigger, Chitra Ranganathan