Patents by Inventor John V. LaForge

John V. LaForge 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).

  • System and methods for accurately weighing and characterizing moving vehicles
    Patent number: 5998741
    Abstract: This system and method of operation weighs and characterizes a moving vehicle traveling on a roadway. The moving vehicle travels across a weight transducer and first and second switching devices. The transducer provides a first set of output signals indicative of vehicle tire loading. The switching devices provide second output signals indicative of vehicle speed and characterization. Processor means receive the first and second output signals and characterize the vehicle; calculate the vehicle speed and calculate the vehicle weight by integrating the second output signals and combining with the vehicle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corp.
    Inventors: David L. Beshears, Gary J. Capps, John K. Jordan, John V. LaForge, Jeffrey D. Muhs, Robert N. Nodine, Matthew B. Scudiere, Cliff P. White
  • System and method for accurately weighing and characterizing moving vehicles
    Patent number: 5959259
    Abstract: This system and method of operation weighs and characterizes a moving vehicle traveling on a roadway. The moving vehicle travels across a weight transducer and first and second switching devices. The transducer provides a first set of output signals indicative of vehicle tire loading. The switching devices provide second output signals indicative of vehicle speed and characterization. Processor means receive the first and second output signals and characterize the vehicle; calculate the vehicle speed and calculate the vehicle weight by integrating the second output signals and combining with the vehicle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation
    Inventors: David L. Beshears, Gary J. Capps, John K. Jordan, John V. LaForge, Jeffrey D. Muhs, Robert N. Nodine, Matthew B. Scudiere, Cliff P. White
  • Apparatus for weighing and identifying characteristics of a moving vehicle
    Patent number: 5260520
    Abstract: Apparatus for weighing a vehicle in motion is provided by employing a plurality of elongated fiber-optic sensors defined by an optical fiber embedded in an encasement of elastomeric material and disposed parallel to each other on the roadway in the path of moving vehicles. Each fiber-optic sensor is provided with contact grid means which can be selectively altered to provide the fiber-optic sensors with sensitivities to vehicular weight different from each other for weighing vehicles in an extended weight range. Switch means are used in conjunction with the fiber-optic sensors to provide signals indicative of the speed of the moving vehicle, the number of axles on the vehicle, weight distribution, tire position, and the wheelbase of the vehicle. The use of a generally N-shaped configuration of switch means also provides a determination of the number of tires on each axle and the tire footprint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Muhs, John K. Jordan, Kenneth W. Tobin, Jr., John V. LaForge