Patents by Inventor David B. Higgs

David B. Higgs 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: 7494194
    Abstract: A remote train-line braking control system includes first and second air supplies and a first control valve connected in fluid communication between the first air supply and an air pressure controlled diaphragm that controls a fluid pressure supplied to a train-line braking system. A second control valve is connected in fluid communication between the second air supply and the first control valve. The first and second control valves are operable for individually connecting the diaphragm to the first air supply, the second air supply and atmospheric pressure. The diaphragm is responsive to the pressure of air supplied thereto for controlling a fluid pressure supplied to the train-line braking system. When the diaphragm is exposed to atmospheric pressure, the brakes of the train-line braking system are fully applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Control Chief Corporation
    Inventors: David B. Higgs, Ronald A. Worden
  • Patent number: 7120428
    Abstract: A remote locomotive control system includes a slave controller configured to receive data strings from remote transmitters. The slave controller is responsive to an acquire signal received from one of the remote transmitters for configuring the slave controller to control one or more control functions of the locomotive as a function of one or more data strings received exclusively from the one remote transmitter. However, the slave controller is configured so that any remote transmitter can control safety functions of the locomotive via the slave controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Control Chief Corporation
    Inventor: David B. Higgs
  • Patent number: 7069122
    Abstract: A locomotive control system includes an on-board controller responsive to a time signal received from a remote source for outputting a first polling signal at a time determined with reference to the time signal. A first remote controller is responsive to the polling signal for outputting a first control signal during a first interval of time. The on-board controller is responsive to the first control signal for controlling one or more functions of the locomotive. The locomotive control system can also include a second remote controller responsive to a second polling signal output by the on-board controller at a time after the first interval of time determined with reference to the time reference signal for outputting a second control signal during a second interval of time. The on-board controller is also responsive to the second control signal for controlling one or more functions of the locomotive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Control Chief Corporation
    Inventor: David B. Higgs
  • Publication number: 20030042788
    Abstract: A remote train-line braking control system includes first and second air supplies and a first control valve connected in fluid communication between the first air supply and an air pressure controlled diaphragm that controls a fluid pressure supplied to a train-line braking system. A second control valve is connected in fluid communication between the second air supply and the first control valve. The first and second control valves are operable for individually connecting the diaphragm to the first air supply, the second air supply and atmospheric pressure. The diaphragm is responsive to the pressure of air supplied thereto for controlling a fluid pressure supplied to the train-line braking system. When the diaphragm is exposed to atmospheric pressure, the brakes of the train-line braking system are fully applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: Control Chief Corporation
    Inventors: David B. Higgs, Ronald A. Worden
  • Publication number: 20030036368
    Abstract: A remote locomotive control system includes a slave controller configured to receive data strings from remote transmitters. The slave controller is responsive to an acquire signal received from one of the remote transmitters for configuring the slave controller to control one or more control functions of the locomotive as a function of one or more data strings received exclusively from the one remote transmitter. However, the slave controller is configured so that any remote transmitter can control safety functions of the locomotive via the slave controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Applicant: Control Chief Corporation
    Inventor: David B. Higgs