Patents by Inventor David G. Stocker

David G. Stocker 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: 9260276
    Abstract: A system and method for assisting drivers of Bomb Carts and Shuttle Carriers to position their vehicles appropriately for loading and unloading containers at a gantry crane. The system uses laser scanners mounted at various levels on the gantry crane sill beams to determine the type, position, orientation and skew angle of the vehicles as well as whether the vehicles are in a loaded or unloaded condition. In addition, the system provides indicator devices to direct drivers how to move their vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: TMEIC Corporation
    Inventors: David G. Stocker, Michael G. Bartel, Gregory A. Hedrick
  • Publication number: 20140225751
    Abstract: A system and method for assisting drivers of Bomb Carts and Shuttle Carriers to position their vehicles appropriately for loading and unloading containers at a gantry crane. The system uses laser scanners mounted at various levels on the gantry crane sill beams to determine the type, position, orientation and skew angle of the vehicles as well as whether the vehicles are in a loaded or unloaded condition. In addition, the system provides indicator devices to direct drivers how to move their vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Inventors: David G. Stocker, Michael G. Bartel, Gregory A. Hedrick
  • Patent number: 8686868
    Abstract: A system and method for assisting drivers of Bomb Carts and Shuttle Carriers to position their vehicles appropriately for loading and unloading containers at a gantry crane. The system uses laser scanners mounted at various levels on the gantry crane sill beams to determine the type, position, orientation and skew angle of the vehicles as well as whether the vehicles are in a loaded or unloaded condition. In addition, the system provides indicator devices to direct drivers how to move their vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: TMEIC Corporation
    Inventors: David G. Stocker, Michael G. Bartel, Gregory A. Hedrick
  • Publication number: 20130147640
    Abstract: A system and method for assisting drivers of Bomb Carts and Shuttle Carriers to position their vehicles appropriately for loading and unloading containers at a gantry crane. The system uses laser scanners mounted at various levels on the gantry crane sill beams to determine the type, position, orientation and skew angle of the vehicles as well as whether the vehicles are in a loaded or unloaded condition. In addition, the system provides indicator devices to direct drivers how to move their vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Inventor: David G. Stocker
  • Patent number: 8352128
    Abstract: A system and method for using a gantry crane to efficiently and safely transport loads such as containers and ship hatch covers from one location to another along a known path while avoiding collisions between the loads and obstructing objects which may be situated in the known path. A transceiver emitting laser beams may be used to establish both the position of the spreader and its load and the profile of the known path. Continuous comparisons are made by computer between the location of a dynamic digital protective envelope constructed around the crane spreader and its load, if any, and a digital representation of the profile of the known path to be traveled by the spreader and its load, if any. In the event, the comparison indicates intersection of the protective envelope and the path profile, a speed limit is imposed on the motor controlling the movement in the X axis of the trolley or in the Z axis of the spreader, as required to prevent a collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: TMEIC Corp.
    Inventors: David G. Stocker, Michael G. Bartel
  • Publication number: 20110076130
    Abstract: A system and method for using a gantry crane to efficiently and safely transport loads such as containers and ship hatch covers from one location to another along a known path while avoiding collisions between the loads and obstructing objects which may be situated in the known path. A transceiver emitting laser beams may be used to establish both the position of the spreader and its load and the profile of the known path. Continuous comparisons are made by computer between the location of a dynamic digital protective envelope constructed around the crane spreader and its load, if any, and a digital representation of the profile of the known path to be traveled by the spreader and its load, if any. In the event, the comparison indicates intersection of the protective envelope and the path profile, a speed limit is imposed on the motor controlling the movement in the X axis of the trolley or in the Z axis of the spreader, as required to prevent a collision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventors: David G. Stocker, Michael G. Bartel
  • Patent number: 7725287
    Abstract: A system and method for determining the rectangular coordinate position of a first object spaced apart from and opposing a second object by placing at least three three-dimensional structures at different known locations on the top surface of the first object and a corresponding number of pulse transceivers at known locations on the bottom surface of the second object, directing a series of pulses having a known speed from each of the transceivers along a path crossing the highest point of a corresponding one of the structures, determining the shortest and second shortest distances travelled by the transmitted pulses and using that data together with other known data to locate edges of the first object and calculate the rectangular coordinate position of the first object with respect to the second object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: TM GE Automation Systems, LLC
    Inventor: David G. Stocker
  • Publication number: 20090030647
    Abstract: A system and method for determining the rectangular coordinate position of a first object spaced apart from and opposing a second object by placing at least three three-dimensional structures at different known locations on the top surface of the first object and a corresponding number of pulse transceivers at known locations on the bottom surface of the second object, directing a series of pulses having a known speed from each of the transceivers along a path crossing the highest point of a corresponding one of the structures, determining the shortest and second shortest distances travelled by the transmitted pulses and using that data together with other known data to locate edges of the first object and calculate the rectangular coordinate position of the first object with respect to the second object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventor: David G. STOCKER