Patents by Inventor Eric Poulson

Eric Poulson 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: 12422077
    Abstract: A gladhand is disclosed. The gladhand, for example, may include a gladhand body having a central axis and a substantially flat gladhand surface and a tongue that extends from the gladhand body and substantially perpendicular relative to the central axis. The gladhand, for example, may also include a concave pocket that extends from gladhand surface. The gladhand, for example, may also include a piston chamber within the gladhand body that extends substantially along the central axis and forming a piston aperture within the gladhand surface and a piston disposed within the piston chamber that actuates at least partially into and out of the piston chamber through the piston aperture along the central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2025
    Assignee: Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Poulson, Mike McNees, Robert Ashby, Mitch Torrie
  • Publication number: 20250290586
    Abstract: A gladhand is disclosed. The gladhand, for example, may include a gladhand body having a central axis and a substantially flat gladhand surface and a tongue that extends from the gladhand body and substantially perpendicular relative to the central axis. The gladhand, for example, may also include a concave pocket that extends from gladhand surface. The gladhand, for example, may also include a piston chamber within the gladhand body that extends substantially along the central axis and forming a piston aperture within the gladhand surface and a piston disposed within the piston chamber that actuates at least partially into and out of the piston chamber through the piston aperture along the central axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2025
    Publication date: September 18, 2025
    Inventors: Eric Poulson, Mike McNees, Robert Ashby, Mitch Torrie
  • Patent number: 12233911
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an autonomous yard truck that includes a speed control mechanism; a steering system; a geolocation sensor; a plurality of sensors; a fifth wheel coupling; a robotic arm disposed on the deck; an air hose with a first hose connector; a transceiver; and a controller. The controller may identify a first trailer hose connector location on a specific trailer; determine the location of a first hose connector on an autonomous yard truck; engage the first hose connector with a robotic arm; move the first hose connector from the first hose connector location to the first trailer hose connector location on the specific trailer with the robotic arm; connect the first hose connector with the first trailer hose connector; disengage the first hose connector from the robotic arm; and/or test the connection between the connection between the first hose connector and the first trailer hose connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Mitch Torrie, Devin Stewart, Eric Poulson, Mike McNees, Marlow Stevens
  • Publication number: 20240391499
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an autonomous yard truck that includes a speed control mechanism; a steering system; a geolocation sensor; a plurality of sensors; a fifth wheel coupling; a robotic arm disposed on the deck; an air hose with a first hose connector; a transceiver; and a controller. The controller may identify a first trailer hose connector location on a specific trailer; determine the location of a first hose connector on an autonomous yard truck; engages the first hose connector with a robotic arm; move the first hose connector from the first hose connector location to the first trailer hose connector location on the specific trailer with the robotic arm; connect the first hose connector with the first trailer hose connector; disengage the first hose connector from the robotic arm; and/or test the connection between the connection between the first hose connector and the first trailer hose connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2024
    Publication date: November 28, 2024
    Inventors: Mitch Torrie, Devin Stewart, Eric Poulson, Mike McNees, Marlow Stevens
  • Publication number: 20230046740
    Abstract: A gladhand is disclosed. The gladhand, for example, may include a gladhand body having a central axis and a substantially flat gladhand surface and a tongue that extends from the gladhand body and substantially perpendicular relative to the central axis. The gladhand, for example, may also include a concave pocket that extends from gladhand surface. The gladhand, for example, may also include a piston chamber within the gladhand body that extends substantially along the central axis and forming a piston aperture within the gladhand surface and a piston disposed within the piston chamber that actuates at least partially into and out of the piston chamber through the piston aperture along the central axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Eric Poulson, Mike McNees, Robert Ashby, Mitch Torrie
  • Publication number: 20210316761
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an autonomous yard truck that includes a speed control mechanism; a steering system; a geolocation sensor; a plurality of sensors; a fifth wheel coupling; a robotic arm disposed on the deck; an air hose with a first hose connector; a transceiver; and a controller. The controller may identify a first trailer hose connector location on a specific trailer; determine the location of a first hose connector on an autonomous yard truck; engages the first hose connector with a robotic arm; move the first hose connector from the first hose connector location to the first trailer hose connector location on the specific trailer with the robotic arm; connect the first hose connector with the first trailer hose connector; disengage the first hose connector from the robotic arm; and/or test the connection between the connection between the first hose connector and the first trailer hose connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventors: Mitch Torrie, Devin Stewart, Eric Poulson, Mike McNees, Marlow Stevens
  • Patent number: 7784568
    Abstract: Apparatus for controlling a track on a tracked vehicle may comprise a drive system, a clutch, a brake, and a track control system to operate the clutch and the brake. A control signal generator operatively associated with the track control system produces control signals that vary at a first rate to cause the track control system to transition the clutch from an engaged state to a disengaged state and produces control signals that vary at a second rate to cause the track control system to transition the brake from an initial application state to a full application state, the second rate being less than the first rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc.
    Inventors: John Petersen, Eric Poulson
  • Publication number: 20100065345
    Abstract: Apparatus for controlling a track on a tracked vehicle may comprise a drive system, a clutch, a brake, and a track control system to operate the clutch and the brake. A control signal generator operatively associated with the track control system produces control signals that vary at a first rate to cause the track control system to transition the clutch from an engaged state to a disengaged state and produces control signals that vary at a second rate to cause the track control system to transition the brake from an initial application state to a full application state, the second rate being less than the first rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: John Petersen, Eric Poulson
  • Publication number: 20070074498
    Abstract: A control system for a cutting reel unit includes a height-of-cut adjusting system and a reel-to-bedknife clearance adjusting system. The height-of-cut adjusting system includes a first frame; a second frame; a cutting reel supported by the second frame; a bedknife arranged adjacent to the cutting reel and supported by the second frame; at least one support element arranged to translate along the ground and arranged to support the first frame; and at least one first actuator connected between the first frame and the second frame and arranged to adjust the relative elevation of the second frame with respect to the first frame. The reel-to-bedknife clearance adjusting system includes at least one second actuator operatively connected between the reel and the second frame and a sound detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Publication date: April 5, 2007
    Inventors: Mark Schmidt, Eric Poulson, Donald Cripps, Ronald Reichen, Richard Thier, John Flenniken
  • Publication number: 20050005586
    Abstract: A user interface and control system for adjusting the reel of a cutting reel unit includes a frame supported by at least one support element that is supported on, and is movable along, the ground. The system also includes a cutting reel, a bedknife, first and second actuators, a controller, and an operator input station, all carried on the frame. The reel and bedknife define a cutting line therebetween. The first actuator is adjustable to set a clearance between the reel and the bedknife. The second actuator is operatively connected between the frame and the bedknife to adjust the elevation of the cutting line to set a height-of-cut of the cutting reel. The controller is signal-connected to the first and second actuators, to adjust the actuators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Publication date: January 13, 2005
    Inventors: Mark Schmidt, Ronald Reichen, Richard Thier, Eric Poulson, Donald Cripps, J.M. Flenniken, Ezekiel Susman