Patents by Inventor Kent Roberts

Kent Roberts 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: 20250033679
    Abstract: A system and method for virtual block stick circuits is presented. The present disclosure implements specialized algorithms adapted to determine the true status of a virtual block based on multiple inputs from different perspectives. In one embodiment, the system can use the far house perspective of that virtual track segment and the PTC hazard for the near virtual track segment directly adjacent to the near house uses the near house perspective of that virtual track segment. For the middle virtual track segments, the near house perspectives of the middle virtual track segments are held ‘TRUE’ if they are already ‘TRUE’ when the train first enters the block, using stick circuits for the near house perspective of the middle track circuits. The vital application can then indicate the true state of the virtual track segment as occupied (FALSE), to protect the train from trains that follow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2024
    Publication date: January 30, 2025
    Applicant: BNSF Railway Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Allen, Michael E. Ramolt, Brent A. Russell, Kent Robert Shue
  • Patent number: 12116028
    Abstract: A system and method for virtual block stick circuits is presented. The present disclosure implements specialized algorithms adapted to determine the true status of a virtual block based on multiple inputs from different perspectives. In one embodiment, the system can use the far house perspective of that virtual track segment and the PTC hazard for the near virtual track segment directly adjacent to the near house uses the near house perspective of that virtual track segment. For the middle virtual track segments, the near house perspectives of the middle virtual track segments are held ‘TRUE’ if they are already ‘TRUE’ when the train first enters the block, using stick circuits for the near house perspective of the middle track circuits. The vital application can then indicate the true state of the virtual track segment as occupied (FALSE), to protect the train from trains that follow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: BNSF Railway Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey Ryan Allen, Michael Ramolt, Brent Russell, Kent Robert Shue
  • 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: 20230083828
    Abstract: A system and method for virtual block stick circuits is presented. The present disclosure implements specialized algorithms adapted to determine the true status of a virtual block based on multiple inputs from different perspectives. In one embodiment, the system can use the far house perspective of that virtual track segment and the PTC hazard for the near virtual track segment directly adjacent to the near house uses the near house perspective of that virtual track segment. For the middle virtual track segments, the near house perspectives of the middle virtual track segments are held ‘TRUE’ if they are already ‘TRUE’ when the train first enters the block, using stick circuits for the near house perspective of the middle track circuits. The vital application can then indicate the true state of the virtual track segment as occupied (FALSE), to protect the train from trains that follow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Applicant: BNSF Railway Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey Ryan Allen, Michael Ramolt, Brent Russell, Kent Robert Shue
  • Patent number: 11511779
    Abstract: A system and method for virtual block stick circuits is presented. The present disclosure implements specialized algorithms adapted to determine the true status of a virtual block based on multiple inputs from different perspectives. In one embodiment, the system can use the far house perspective of that virtual track segment and the PTC hazard for the near virtual track segment directly adjacent to the near house uses the near house perspective of that virtual track segment. For the middle virtual track segments, the near house perspectives of the middle virtual track segments are held ‘TRUE’ if they are already ‘TRUE’ when the train first enters the block, using stick circuits for the near house perspective of the middle track circuits. The vital application can then indicate the true state of the virtual track segment as occupied (FALSE), to protect the train from trains that follow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: BNSF Railway Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey Ryan Allen, Michael Ramolt, Brent Russell, Kent Robert Shue
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20220032975
    Abstract: A system and method for virtual block stick circuits is presented. The present disclosure implements specialized algorithms adapted to determine the true status of a virtual block based on multiple inputs from different perspectives. In one embodiment, the system can use the far house perspective of that virtual track segment and the PTC hazard for the near virtual track segment directly adjacent to the near house uses the near house perspective of that virtual track segment. For the middle virtual track segments, the near house perspectives of the middle virtual track segments are held ‘TRUE’ if they are already ‘TRUE’ when the train first enters the block, using stick circuits for the near house perspective of the middle track circuits. The vital application can then indicate the true state of the virtual track segment as occupied (FALSE), to protect the train from trains that follow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Applicant: BNSF Railway Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey Ryan Allen, Michael Ramolt, Brent Russell, Kent Robert Shue
  • 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: 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: 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
  • Patent number: 9597919
    Abstract: A clipboard that holds trading cards in a protected, secure position and that allows them to be signed while in the clipboard. The clipboard has recessed regions into which trading cards may be placed. Cards are held in place by retaining tabs along the bottom edge, and by a clip that contacts the top edge of the cards; thus the majority of the cards' areas are exposed for autographs. The edges of the recessed regions are offset from the corners with corner relief regions to prevent damage to the corners of the cards. Finger holes through the back of the recessed regions allow a user to push the cards gently out of the recessed area for removal. The clipboard may have a top hole for attachment of a lanyard that may be used to carry the clipboard or to lower it to a person for an autograph or signature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Inventors: Allen Lee Ruggles, Michael Kent Roberts
  • Publication number: 20090191991
    Abstract: A broadhead point for arrows having a penetrating tip and a trailing cutting portion with a plurality of projecting cutting edges and a deflector shoulder that directs air through which the penetrating tip passes rearwardly and outwardly to the outermost edges of the cutting blades, and to create an area of reduced air pressure in advance of the fixed cutting blades.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventors: Brent Roberts, Kent Roberts
  • Patent number: D814566
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventors: Allen Lee Ruggles, Michael Kent Roberts