Patents by Inventor Jerry Wade Specht

Jerry Wade Specht 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).

  • Publication number: 20240001975
    Abstract: A method of railroad track control includes partitioning a physical track block into a plurality of virtual track blocks, the physical track block defined by first and second insulated joints disposed at corresponding first and second ends of a length of railroad track. The presence of an electrical circuit discontinuity in one of the plurality of virtual track blocks; is detected and in response a corresponding virtual track block position code indicating the presence of the discontinuity in the one of the plurality of virtual track blocks is generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Applicant: BNSF Railway Company
    Inventors: Jerry Wade Specht, Ralph E. Young, Mitchell Wayne Beard, Kent Robert Shue
  • Patent number: 11767041
    Abstract: A method of railroad track control includes partitioning a physical track block into a plurality of virtual track blocks, the physical track block defined by first and second insulated joints disposed at corresponding first and second ends of a length of railroad track. The presence of an electrical circuit discontinuity in one of the plurality of virtual track blocks; is detected and in response a corresponding virtual track block position code indicating the presence of the discontinuity in the one of the plurality of virtual track blocks is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: BNSF Railway Company
    Inventors: Jerry Wade Specht, Ralph E. Young, Mitchell Wayne Beard, Kent Robert Shue
  • Publication number: 20230122108
    Abstract: A railroad infrastructure communication network is presented. The network can include a plurality of infrastructure nodes distributed proximate a railroad track, such as near railroad equipment and/or assets. Infrastructure nodes can be configured to receive data from equipment sensor and/or assets and transmit such data via the network. Infrastructure nodes can further generate alert and/or alert packets based on such received data. Infrastructure nodes can self-define in a network infrastructure depending on configured connection types, and can for example, serve as repeater nodes (to promulgate a transmission to additional infrastructure nodes) and/or collector nodes (to collect data for a centralized server node). A server node can be configured to receive data and/or packet from infrastructure nodes and generate requests for additional systems, personnel, etc. to address such requests.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Applicant: BNSF Railway Company
    Inventors: Kent Shue, Carlos Aguilera, Marcus Parrott, Jerry Wade Specht, Perry Peden, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20230122092
    Abstract: A railroad infrastructure communication network is presented. The network can include a plurality of infrastructure nodes distributed proximate a railroad track, such as near railroad equipment and/or assets. Infrastructure nodes can be configured to receive data from equipment sensor and/or assets and transmit such data via the network. Infrastructure nodes can further generate alert and/or alert packets based on such received data. Infrastructure nodes can self-define in a network infrastructure depending on configured connection types, and can for example, serve as repeater nodes (to promulgate a transmission to additional infrastructure nodes) and/or collector nodes (to collect data for a centralized server node). A server node can be configured to receive data and/or packet from infrastructure nodes and generate requests for additional systems, personnel, etc. to address such requests.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Applicant: BNSF Railway Company
    Inventors: Kent Shue, Carlos Aguilera, Marcus Parrott, Jerry Wade Specht, Perry Peden, JR.
  • Patent number: 11305796
    Abstract: A railroad infrastructure communication network is presented. The network can include a plurality of infrastructure nodes distributed proximate a railroad track, such as near railroad equipment and/or assets. Infrastructure nodes can be configured to receive data from equipment sensor and/or assets and transmit such data via the network. Infrastructure nodes can further generate alert and/or alert packets based on such received data. Infrastructure nodes can self-define in a network infrastructure depending on configured connection types, and can for example, serve as repeater nodes (to promulgate a transmission to additional infrastructure nodes) and/or collector nodes (to collect data for a centralized server node). A server node can be configured to receive data and/or packet from infrastructure nodes and generate requests for additional systems, personnel, etc. to address such requests. The network can limit the data transmission size and leverage distributed processing capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: BNSF Railway Company
    Inventors: Kent Shue, Carlos Aguilera, Marcus Parrott, Jerry Wade Specht, Perry Peden, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20220089203
    Abstract: A method of railroad track control includes partitioning a physical track block into a plurality of virtual track blocks, the physical track block defined by first and second insulated joints disposed at corresponding first and second ends of a length of railroad track. The presence of an electrical circuit discontinuity in one of the plurality of virtual track blocks; is detected and in response a corresponding virtual track block position code indicating the presence of the discontinuity in the one of the plurality of virtual track blocks is generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Applicant: BNSF Railway Company
    Inventors: Jerry Wade Specht, Ralph E. Young, Mitchell Wayne Beard, Kent Robert Shue
  • Patent number: 11230308
    Abstract: A method of railroad track control includes partitioning a physical track block into a plurality of virtual track blocks, the physical track block defined by first and second insulated joints disposed at corresponding first and second ends of a length of railroad track. The presence of an electrical circuit discontinuity in one of the plurality of virtual track blocks; is detected and in response a corresponding virtual track block position code indicating the presence of the discontinuity in the one of the plurality of virtual track blocks is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: BNSF Railway Company
    Inventors: Jerry Wade Specht, Ralph E. Young, Kent Robert Shue, Mitchell Wayne Beard
  • Patent number: 11230307
    Abstract: A method of railroad track control includes partitioning a physical track block into a plurality of virtual track blocks, the physical track block defined by first and second insulated joints disposed at corresponding first and second ends of a length of railroad track. The presence of an electrical circuit discontinuity in one of the plurality of virtual track blocks; is detected and in response a corresponding virtual track block position code indicating the presence of the discontinuity in the one of the plurality of virtual track blocks is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: BNSF Railway Company
    Inventors: Jerry Wade Specht, Ralph E. Young, Kent Robert Shue, Mitchell Wayne Beard
  • Patent number: 11104361
    Abstract: A method of railroad track control includes partitioning a physical track block into a plurality of virtual track blocks, the physical track block defined by first and second insulated joints disposed at corresponding first and second ends of a length of railroad track. The presence of an electrical circuit discontinuity in one of the plurality of virtual track blocks; is detected and in response a corresponding virtual track block position code indicating the presence of the discontinuity in the one of the plurality of virtual track blocks is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: BNSF Railway Company
    Inventors: Jerry Wade Specht, Ralph E. Young, Kent Robert Shue, Mitchell Wayne Beard
  • Publication number: 20210253147
    Abstract: A method of railroad track control includes partitioning a physical track block into a plurality of virtual track blocks, the physical track block defined by first and second insulated joints disposed at corresponding first and second ends of a length of railroad track. The presence of an electrical circuit discontinuity in one of the plurality of virtual track blocks; is detected and in response a corresponding virtual track block position code indicating the presence of the discontinuity in the one of the plurality of virtual track blocks is generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2021
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Applicant: BNSF Railway Company
    Inventors: Jerry Wade Specht, Ralph E. Young, Kent Robert Shue, Mitchell Wayne Beard
  • Publication number: 20210253148
    Abstract: A method of railroad track control includes partitioning a physical track block into a plurality of virtual track blocks, the physical track block defined by first and second insulated joints disposed at corresponding first and second ends of a length of railroad track. The presence of an electrical circuit discontinuity in one of the plurality of virtual track blocks; is detected and in response a corresponding virtual track block position code indicating the presence of the discontinuity in the one of the plurality of virtual track blocks is generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Applicant: BNSF Railway Company
    Inventors: Jerry Wade Specht, Ralph E. Young, Kent Robert Shue, Mitchell Wayne Beard
  • Publication number: 20210086805
    Abstract: A method of railroad track control includes partitioning a physical track block into a plurality of virtual track blocks, the physical track block defined by first and second insulated joints disposed at corresponding first and second ends of a length of railroad track. The presence of an electrical circuit discontinuity in one of the plurality of virtual track blocks; is detected and in response a corresponding virtual track block position code indicating the presence of the discontinuity in the one of the plurality of virtual track blocks is generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Applicant: BNSF Railway Company
    Inventors: Jerry Wade Specht, Ralph E. Young, Kent Robert Shue, Mitchell Wayne Beard
  • Patent number: 10946878
    Abstract: A Wireless Slide Fence utilizing signal reflection technology to detect rockslides and can determine the size and location of fallen rocks/objects impeding travel along a train track is presented. The present disclosure solves the technological problem of determining rock size and location to validate rockslide/fall alarms to reduce false alarms, while minimizing repairs required by conventional systems through the use of obstacle detection units and vital logic controllers. The present disclosure improves the performance of the system by, generating validated alarms when fallen rocks/objects satisfy the size criteria and are located in an area hazardous to train operations. In one exemplary embodiment, a loitering time can be implemented to validate object detections to reduce false positives due to transient objects such as migrating animals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: BNSF Railway Company
    Inventors: Mitchell Beard, Paul Chiyang Shih, Paul Aaron Weidle, Jerry Wade Specht, Kent Robert Shue
  • Patent number: 10894550
    Abstract: A method of railroad track control includes partitioning a physical track block into a plurality of virtual track blocks, the physical track block defined by first and second insulated joints disposed at corresponding first and second ends of a length of railroad track. The presence of an electrical circuit discontinuity in one of the plurality of virtual track blocks; is detected and in response a corresponding virtual track block position code indicating the presence of the discontinuity in the one of the plurality of virtual track blocks is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: BNSF Railway Company
    Inventors: Jerry Wade Specht, Ralph E. Young, Kent Robert Shue, Mitchell Wayne Beard
  • Publication number: 20180319413
    Abstract: A method of railroad track control includes partitioning a physical track block into a plurality of virtual track blocks, the physical track block defined by first and second insulated joints disposed at corresponding first and second ends of a length of railroad track. The presence of an electrical circuit discontinuity in one of the plurality of virtual track blocks; is detected and in response a corresponding virtual track block position code indicating the presence of the discontinuity in the one of the plurality of virtual track blocks is generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Jerry Wade Specht, Ralph E. Young, Kent Robert Shue, Mitchell Wayne Beard