Patents by Inventor Derrill J. Koelz

Derrill J. Koelz 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).

  • Rail buckle detection and risk prediction
    Patent number: 11834082
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting buckled rail and for predicting a risk for rail buckling is disclosed. The method may comprise receiving data from a camera mounted on locomotive traveling on the railroad track. The data may include images of the buckled rail and dimensions of the buckled rail when the camera detects the buckled rail. The data may further include images of the ballast and condition of the ballast. The method may further comprise receiving data from a thermal camera mounted to the locomotive indicating the temperature of the rails. The method may further comprise transmitting an alarm signal to a display interface of a remote unit if the dimensions of the buckled rail meet a predetermined threshold, and predicting a risk for rail buckling based at least on the temperature of the rails and the condition of the ballast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Progress Rail Services Corporation
    Inventors: Marc Miller, Chad A. Moore, Lawrence A. Mianzo, Mike Hoffelder, Darrell Cantrell, Derrill J. Koelz, Narayana G. Nadukuru
  • RAIL BUCKLE DETECTION AND RISK PREDICTION
    Publication number: 20210078622
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting buckled rail and for predicting a risk for rail buckling is disclosed. The method may comprise receiving data from a camera mounted on locomotive traveling on the railroad track. The data may include images of the buckled rail and dimensions of the buckled rail when the camera detects the buckled rail. The data may further include images of the ballast and condition of the ballast. The method may further comprise receiving data from a thermal camera mounted to the locomotive indicating the temperature of the rails. The method may further comprise transmitting an alarm signal to a display interface of a remote unit if the dimensions of the buckled rail meet a predetermined threshold, and predicting a risk for rail buckling based at least on the temperature of the rails and the condition of the ballast.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Applicant: Progress Rail Services Corporation
    Inventors: Marc Miller, Chad A. Moore, Lawrence A. Mianzo, Mike Hoffelder, Darrell Cantrell, Derrill J. Koelz, Narayana G. Nadukuru