Patents by Inventor Chris Schuchmann
Chris Schuchmann 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: 20240043043Abstract: A vehicle system is provided that has an unoccupied control vehicle with no onboard driver. The control vehicle has a first propulsion system that can propel the control vehicle along a route, and optionally to stop or slow the control vehicle. One or more onboard power sources that can generate, store or both generate and store energy for powering at least the first propulsion system. A controller having one or more processors can autonomously control the propulsion system to move the control vehicle along one or more routes, and to interface with and couple to a driver-operable vehicle that has a second propulsion system. The controller can obtain control over the second propulsion system when the control vehicle is interfaced and coupled with the driver-operable vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Inventors: James D. Brooks, Timothy Brown, Gnouma Diagana, Adam Franco, David Furedy, Ken Kenjale, Milan Karunaratne, Brian Kurz, Chadwick Kypta, Luke Leiter, Brian Nedward Meyer, Aaron Nye, Anthony D. Paul, David Petersen, Robert Peipert, Nicholas Savidge, Chris Schuchmann, Derek Kevin Woo
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Patent number: 11884311Abstract: A system and method obtain first image data of a route at a location of interest from a first optical sensor disposed onboard a vehicle system moving along the route. The first image data depicts the route at the location of interest prior to passage of the vehicle system over the route at the location of interest. Second image data of the route at the location of interest is obtained from a second optical sensor disposed onboard the vehicle system. The second image data depicts the route at the location of interest after passage of the vehicle system over the route at the location of interest. A determination is made as to whether a change in the route has occurred at the location of interest by comparing the first image data with the second image data.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2022Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: Transportation IP Holdings, LLCInventors: Brian Kurz, Chris Schuchmann, Robert Peipert, Timothy Brown, Derek Woo
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Patent number: 11724724Abstract: A system for controlling one or more vital wayside devices of a railway network, comprising one or more vital switches, each vital switch being comprised in or operatively connected to an associated device of the one or more vital wayside devices, and a controller which is configured to control the one or more vital wayside devices. The controller is connected to each of the one or more vital switches by means of at least one optical fiber cable and is configured to output one or more light command signals over the at least one optical fiber cable, and each vital switch is configured to switch from an open status to a closed status to provide power and ground to the associated vital wayside device upon receiving at least one corresponding light command signal outputted by the controller for commanding an action of the associated vital wayside device.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2020Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: ALSTOM TRANSPORT TECHNOLOGIESInventors: Nicholas Nagrodsky, James Frisbie, Richard Lawson, Chris Schuchmann
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Patent number: 11702119Abstract: A method is for determining a status of a track section of a railroad. Each end of the track section is connected to a respective detector. One of the two detectors transmits a current along the rails of the track section towards the other detector and receives a current transmitted along the rails of the track section from the other detector. The track section is further equipped with a computer in communication with the two detectors. The computer calculates an instant value of the status of the track section as a function of an instant vector based on a measure of an intensity of the current transmitted by a first of the detectors as measured by the first detector (Txl1), a measure of an intensity of the current received by the first detector as measured by the first detector (Rxl1) and a measure of an intensity of the current transmitted by the second detector as measured by the second detector (Txl2).Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2021Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: ALSTOM Transport TechnologiesInventors: Jeffrey Fries, Chris Schuchmann, Richard Lawson, Shawn Clark, John Ross
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Publication number: 20220355841Abstract: A method is for determining a status of a track section of a railroad. Each end of the track section is connected to a respective detector. One of the two detectors transmits a current along the rails of the track section towards the other detector and receives a current transmitted along the rails of the track section from the other detector. The track section is further equipped with a computer in communication with the two detectors. The computer calculates an instant value of the status of the track section as a function of an instant vector based on a measure of an intensity of the current transmitted by a first of the detectors as measured by the first detector (Txl1), a measure of an intensity of the current received by the first detector as measured by the first detector (Rxl1) and a measure of an intensity of the current transmitted by the second detector as measured by the second detector (Txl2).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2021Publication date: November 10, 2022Inventors: Jeffrey FRIES, Chris SCHUCHMANN, Richard LAWSON, Shawn CLARK, John ROSS
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Publication number: 20220204061Abstract: An examining system includes one or more application devices onboard a vehicle system. The application devices may electrically conduct an examination signal into one or more conductive bodies extending along a route and may include a catenary, a third rail, and/or a cable. The examining system may include one or more detection units that may be disposed onboard the vehicle system and that may monitor one or more electrical characteristics of the one or more conductive bodies in response to the examination signal being conducted into the one or more conductive bodies. The examining system may include an identification unit that may examine the one or more electrical characteristics of the one or more conductive bodies monitored by the one or more detection units to identify a compromised or damaged section of the one or more conductive bodies.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2022Publication date: June 30, 2022Inventors: Derek Kevin Woo, Alexander Sotelo, Chris Schuchmann, Timothy Brown, Brian Staton
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Publication number: 20220144325Abstract: A system and method obtain first image data of a route at a location of interest from a first optical sensor disposed onboard a vehicle system moving along the route. The first image data depicts the route at the location of interest prior to passage of the vehicle system over the route at the location of interest. Second image data of the route at the location of interest is obtained from a second optical sensor disposed onboard the vehicle system. The second image data depicts the route at the location of interest after passage of the vehicle system over the route at the location of interest. A determination is made as to whether a change in the route has occurred at the location of interest by comparing the first image data with the second image data.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2022Publication date: May 12, 2022Inventors: Brian Kurz, Chris Schuchmann, Robert Peipert, Timothy Brown, Derek Woo
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Patent number: 11305798Abstract: A system includes a route examining system and an off-board failsafe controller. The route examining system is configured to examine a route on which a first vehicle system is moving and to generate an inspection signal based on the route examination. The inspection signal indicates a status of a segment of the route as damaged or undamaged. The off-board failsafe controller is configured to receive the inspection signal from the route examining system. Responsive to a lack of receipt of the inspection signal within a designated time period which indicates communication loss with the route examining system, the failsafe controller is configured to generate a warning signal for communication to a second vehicle system. The warning signal is generated to direct the second vehicle system to (i) avoid traveling over the route segment or (ii) travel over the route segment or another route segment at a reduced speed.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2020Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: Transportation IP Holdings, LLCInventors: Derek Kevin Woo, Alexander Sotelo, Chris Schuchmann, Timothy Brown, Brian Staton
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Patent number: 11270130Abstract: A system and method obtain first image data of a route at a location of interest from a first optical sensor disposed onboard a vehicle system moving along the route. The first image data depicts the route at the location of interest prior to passage of the vehicle system over the route at the location of interest. Second image data of the route at the location of interest is obtained from a second optical sensor disposed onboard the vehicle system. The second image data depicts the route at the location of interest after passage of the vehicle system over the route at the location of interest. A determination is made as to whether a change in the route has occurred at the location of interest by comparing the first image data with the second image data.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2019Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: TRANSPORTATION IP HOLDINGS, LLCInventors: Brian Kurz, Chris Schuchmann, Robert Peipert, Timothy Brown, Derek Woo
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Publication number: 20220017127Abstract: A system for controlling one or more vital wayside devices of a railway network, comprising one or more vital switches, each vital switch being comprised in or operatively connected to an associated device of the one or more vital wayside devices, and a controller which is configured to control the one or more vital wayside devices. The controller is connected to each of the one or more vital switches by means of at least one optical fiber cable and is configured to output one or more light command signals over the at least one optical fiber cable, and each vital switch is configured to switch from an open status to a closed status to provide power and ground to the associated vital wayside device upon receiving at least one corresponding light command signal outputted by the controller for commanding an action of the associated vital wayside device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2020Publication date: January 20, 2022Inventors: Nicholas Nagrodsky, James Frisbie, Richard Lawson, Chris Schuchmann
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Publication number: 20200283038Abstract: A system includes a route examining system and an off-board failsafe controller. The route examining system is configured to examine a route on which a first vehicle system is moving and to generate an inspection signal based on the route examination. The inspection signal indicates a status of a segment of the route as damaged or undamaged. The off-board failsafe controller is configured to receive the inspection signal from the route examining system. Responsive to a lack of receipt of the inspection signal within a designated time period which indicates communication loss with the route examining system, the failsafe controller is configured to generate a warning signal for communication to a second vehicle system. The warning signal is generated to direct the second vehicle system to (i) avoid traveling over the route segment or (ii) travel over the route segment or another route segment at a reduced speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2020Publication date: September 10, 2020Inventors: Derek Kevin Woo, Alexander Sotelo, Chris Schuchmann, Timothy Brown, Brian Staton
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Patent number: 10689016Abstract: A system includes a route examining system on a non-propulsion-generating vehicle at a trailing end of a leading vehicle system. The route examining system examines a route on which the leading vehicle system is moving to determine whether the route is damaged. The system also includes an off-board failsafe controller that communicates with the route examining system. The off-board failsafe controller sends a warning signal to the trailing vehicle system responsive to receiving a notification signal from the route examining system indicating detection of damage to the route. The off-board failsafe controller also sends the warning signal to the trailing vehicle system responsive to losing communication with the route examining system. The warning signal directs the trailing vehicle system to automatically change movement of the trailing vehicle system responsive to the detection of damage to the route and/or the off-board failsafe controller losing communication with the route examining system.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2017Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: GE Global Sourcing LLCInventors: Derek Kevin Woo, Alexander Sotelo, Chris Schuchmann, Timothy Brown, Brian Staton
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Publication number: 20200143173Abstract: A system and method obtain first image data of a route at a location of interest from a first optical sensor disposed onboard a vehicle system moving along the route. The first image data depicts the route at the location of interest prior to passage of the vehicle system over the route at the location of interest. Second image data of the route at the location of interest is obtained from a second optical sensor disposed onboard the vehicle system. The second image data depicts the route at the location of interest after passage of the vehicle system over the route at the location of interest. A determination is made as to whether a change in the route has occurred at the location of interest by comparing the first image data with the second image data.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2019Publication date: May 7, 2020Inventors: Brian Kurz, Chris Schuchmann, Robert Peipert, Timothy Brown, Derek Woo
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Patent number: 10562555Abstract: Controlling a level crossing of a railway track by providing a train having an onboard processor communicating with a wayside processor associated to a level crossing, said train having a forward end and a rear end; moving the train forward along the railway track lowering down gates of the level crossing when train is at a predetermined distance upon detection of the train approaching the level crossing; when the forward end passes over a first reference point defining the beginning of an island area of the level crossing, sending a first message from the onboard safety processor towards the wayside processor informing that the train is approaching the level crossing; maintaining down gates; when the rear end passes over a second reference point defining the end of the island area, sending a second message from the onboard safety processor to the wayside processor informing that the train has left the level crossing; and lifting the gates.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2017Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: ALSTOM TRANSPORT TECHNOLOGIESInventors: Jeffrey Fries, Chris Schuchmann, William Shields
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Patent number: 10558865Abstract: A route inspection system includes one or more processors configured to identify a reference location in sensor data provided by one or more sensors onboard a vehicle system. The reference location is identified along a route being traveled by the vehicle system. The one or more processors also are configured to identify a location of interest in subsequent sensor data provided by the one or more sensors. The location of interest identified along the route being traveled by the vehicle system. The one or more processors also are configured to determine a degree of curvature in the route based on a difference between the reference location and the location of interest.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2017Date of Patent: February 11, 2020Assignee: GE GLOBAL SOURCING LLCInventors: Chris Schuchmann, Robert Peipert, Timothy Brown, Derek Woo
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Publication number: 20180273068Abstract: Controlling a level crossing of a railway track by providing a train having an onboard processor communicating with a wayside processor associated to a level crossing, said train having a forward end and a rear end; moving the train forward along the railway track lowering down gates of the level crossing when train is at a predetermined distance upon detection of the train approaching the level crossing; when the forward end passes over a first reference point defining the beginning of an island area of the level crossing, sending a first message from the onboard safety processor towards the wayside processor informing that the train is approaching the level crossing; maintaining down gates; when the rear end passes over a second reference point defining the end of the island area, sending a second message from the onboard safety processor to the wayside processor informing that the train has left the level crossing; and lifting the gates.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2017Publication date: September 27, 2018Applicant: ALSTOM TRANSPORT TECHNOLOGIESInventors: Jeffrey FRIES, Chris SCHUCHMANN, William SHIELDS
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Publication number: 20180039842Abstract: A route inspection system includes one or more processors configured to identify a reference location in sensor data provided by one or more sensors onboard a vehicle system. The reference location is identified along a route being traveled by the vehicle system. The one or more processors also are configured to identify a location of interest in subsequent sensor data provided by the one or more sensors. The location of interest identified along the route being traveled by the vehicle system. The one or more processors also are configured to determine a degree of curvature in the route based on a difference between the reference location and the location of interest.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2017Publication date: February 8, 2018Inventors: Chris Schuchmann, Robert Peipert, Timothy Brown, Derek Woo
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Publication number: 20180015937Abstract: A system includes a route examining system on a non-propulsion-generating vehicle at a trailing end of a leading vehicle system. The route examining system examines a route on which the leading vehicle system is moving to determine whether the route is damaged. The system also includes an off-board failsafe controller that communicates with the route examining system. The off-board failsafe controller sends a warning signal to the trailing vehicle system responsive to receiving a notification signal from the route examining system indicating detection of damage to the route. The off-board failsafe controller also sends the warning signal to the trailing vehicle system responsive to losing communication with the route examining system. The warning signal directs the trailing vehicle system to automatically change movement of the trailing vehicle system responsive to the detection of damage to the route and/or the off-board failsafe controller losing communication with the route examining system.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2017Publication date: January 18, 2018Inventors: Derek Kevin Woo, Alexander Sotelo, Chris Schuchmann, Timothy Brown, Brian Staton