Patents by Inventor Kevin B. Root

Kevin B. Root 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: 6648422
    Abstract: An integration train brake system including a single brake controller providing locomotive and train brake commands. A first control transmits a car brake signal on an electrical network for train brake commands to EP cars. A second control transmits a locomotive brake signal on the locomotive brake pipe for train and locomotive brake commands. The brake system may have a pneumatic mode and an electrical mode. The first control transmits car brake signals on the network in the electrical mode and the second control transmits car brake signals on the train brake pipe for the pneumatic mode. The second control transmits locomotive brake signals on the locomotive brake pipe in either mode. If the train is all electropneumatic, cars and locomotive braking signals are provided on the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin B. Root, Bryan M. McLaughlin, Dale R. Stevens, Jon M. Marra
  • Publication number: 20030183729
    Abstract: An integrated train control system (FIGS. 1 and 6) is a combination of systems including: EP-60 (FIG. 2) CCBII (FIG. 3) Wired DP (FIG. 4), and LEADER (FIG. 5) The integrated train control system (FIG. 6) includes a master controller (MMI) cooperating with features of EP-60, CCBII, LEADER, and Wired DP to control car control devices (CCD) through ITC network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventors: Kevin B. Root, Bryan M. McLaughlin, Dale R. Stevens, Jon M. Marra, Stephen K. Nickles, Michael J. Hawthorne
  • Patent number: 6626034
    Abstract: The method includes reducing pressure of a charged brake pipe to a predetermined pressure value. The brake pipe is then charged only from the head end unit. Each intermediate brake pipe monitoring and charging device sequentially reports on the network a pressure which is an increase if the brake pipe is continuous between it and the head end unit. Subsequent to receipt of a report of an increased pressure on the network from an intermediate unit, the head end unit commands that intermediate unit to participate in charging the brake pipe. The head end unit determines the brake pipe continuity from the pressure increases reported by the intermediate units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation
    Inventors: Jon Marra, Dale R. Stevens, Kevin B. Root, Roger B. Lewis, John W. LaDuc, Patrick S. Lacombe
  • Publication number: 20020139181
    Abstract: The method includes reducing pressure of a charged brake pipe to a predetermined pressure value. The brake pipe is then charged only from the head end unit. Each intermediate brake pipe monitoring and charging device sequentially reports on the network a pressure which is an increase if the brake pipe is continuous between it and the head end unit. Subsequent to receipt of a report of an increased pressure on the network from an intermediate unit, the head end unit commands that intermediate unit to participate in charging the brake pipe. The head end unit determines the brake pipe continuity from the pressure increases reported by the intermediate units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Applicant: New York Air Brake Corporation
    Inventors: Jon Marra, Dale R. Stevens, Kevin B. Root, Roger B. Lewis, John W. LaDuc, Patrick S. Lacombe
  • Publication number: 20020050737
    Abstract: An integration train brake system including a single brake controller providing locomotive and train brake commands. A first control transmits a car brake signal on an electrical network for train brake commands to EP cars. A second control transmits a locomotive brake signal on the locomotive brake pipe for train and locomotive brake commands. The brake system may have a pneumatic mode and an electrical mode. The first control transmits car brake signals on the network in the electrical mode and the second control transmits car brake signals on the train brake pipe for the pneumatic mode. The second control transmits locomotive brake signals on the locomotive brake pipe in either mode. If the train is all electropneumatic, cars and locomotive braking signals are provided on the network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Applicant: New York Air Brake Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin B. Root, Bryan M. McLaughlin, Dale R. Stevens, Jon M. Marra
  • Patent number: 6361124
    Abstract: A method of integral operating the brake and propulsion systems includes determining if the brake command signal is a pneumatic or electrical system initiated emergency brake command or an operator initiated emergency brake command. A brake signal and an emergency propulsion signal are transmitted on the network for pneumatic and electrical system and operator initiated brake commands. A brake signal is transmitted on the train brake pipe for operator and pneumatic system initiated brake commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation
    Inventors: Jon M. Marra, Roger B. Lewis, John LaDuc, Kevin B. Root
  • Patent number: 6334654
    Abstract: An integration train brake system including a single brake controller providing locomotive and train brake commands. A first control transmits a car brake signal on an electrical network for train brake commands to EP cars. A second control transmits a locomotive brake signal on the locomotive brake pipe for train and locomotive brake commands. The brake system may have a pneumatic mode and an electrical mode. The first control transmits car brake signals on the network in the electrical mode and the second control transmits car brake signals on the train brake pipe for the pneumatic mode. The second control transmits locomotive brake signals on the locomotive brake pipe in either mode. If the train is all electropneumatic, cars and locomotive braking signals are provided on the network. Distributive power may also be transmitted over the network in the electrical mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin B. Root, Bryan M. McLaughlin, Dale R. Stevens, Jon M. Marra
  • Patent number: 6318811
    Abstract: A brake control unit having a brake cylinder valve (62), equalization reservoir valve (82), brake signal valve (89), and brake back-up valve (182).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin B. Root, Ronald O. Newton, Premal Desai
  • Patent number: 6098006
    Abstract: A modular locomotive brake control unit according to the present invention includes a manifold having mounted thereon at least two of a brake pipe module, a brake cylinder module, a brake signal module, equalization reservoir module, independent brake module, and an actuating module. Each of the modules includes a module controller in a network with a unit controller and an electric brake valve. The modules and brake valve controllers include an identification and software identification which is monitored by the unit controller. The module controllers also include an event log. The unit controller provides commands and software to an receives data from the module controllers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation
    Inventors: Dale L. Sherwood, John J. Allen, Brett A. Pierce, Kevin B. Root, Richard E. Sinn, Eric C. Wright
  • Patent number: 6035250
    Abstract: A locomotive brake control unit includes a manifold having a brake cylinder module for controlling pressure at the brake cylinder port in response to at least train braking signals and first and second ports on the control unit for receiving electropneumatic resetting and non-resetting dynamic brake interlocks respectively to control the train braking signals during dynamic braking, if an interlock module is present in one of the interlock ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald O. Newton, Kevin B. Root
  • Patent number: 5758929
    Abstract: A variable capacity electropneumatic control valve using analog electropneumatic supply and release valve to control the control valve output and a relay valves to add extra capacity when the required capacity exceeds that of the analog valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald O. Newton, Kevin B. Root
  • Patent number: 5590042
    Abstract: A computerized locomotive control system receives as inputs electrical signals representing automatic and independent braking control signals from controllers and pipe pressures and has a computer for determining, from said input signals, electrical signals representing desired braking and pipe pressures. The computer in the lead locomotive uses the independent application and brake pipe pressure to control the brake cylinder pressure except where the independent application and release brake pipe has been tested as a fault or during the initial buildup of the independent application brake pipe. In this instance, independent application and release controller position is used to control the brake cylinder pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation
    Inventors: John J. Allen, Jr., Kevin B. Root
  • Patent number: 5412572
    Abstract: A computerized locomotive control system receiving as inputs electrical signals representing automatic and independent braking control signals and a computer for determining, from said input signals, electrical signals representing desired equalization reservoir pressure, desired independent application and release pressure and desired actuating pressure. Electro-pneumatic valves controls the pressure in the equalization reservoir, on the independent application and release pipe and as the actuating pipe in response to the desired pressure signals. A electro-pneumatic valve for the control reservoir of the locomotive brake is controlled by the computer in response to pipe pressures. The computer provides penalties and interlocks electrically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: Knorr Brake Holding Corp.
    Inventors: Kevin B. Root, John J. Allen, Jr., Ronald O. Newton
  • Patent number: 5369587
    Abstract: A computerized locomotive control system receiving as inputs electrical signals representing automatic and independent braking control signals and a computer for determining, from said input signals, electrical signals representing desired equalization reservoir pressure, desired independent application and release pressure and desired actuating pressure. Electro-pneumatic valves controls the pressure in the equalization reservoir, on the independent application and release pipe and as the actuating pipe in response to the desired pressure signals. A electro-pneumatic valve for the control reservoir of the locomotive brake is controlled by the computer in response to pipe pressures. The computer provides penalties and interlocks electrically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: Knorr Brake Holding Corp.
    Inventors: Kevin B. Root, John J. Allen, Jr., Ronald O. Newton
  • Patent number: 5303157
    Abstract: A locomotive control system having a single handle movable between a maximum propulsion position, through diminishing propulsion positions, through a release/idle position, through increasing braking positions, through a full service brake position to an emergency brake position. The control system receives position signals from the handle and generates propulsion, dynamic braking and fluid braking control signals as a function of the position signals. For any braking position of the handle, the control system first applies or removes dynamic braking and then provides fluid braking depending upon the position of the handle, the type of train brakes and whether the dynamic braking has maximized or is zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Assignee: Knorr Brake Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin B. Root, John J. Allen, Ronald O. Newton
  • Patent number: 5249125
    Abstract: A computerized locomotive control system receiving as inputs electrical signals representing automatic and independent braking control signals and a computer for determining, from said input signals, electrical signals representing desired equalization reservoir pressure, desired independent application and release pressure and desired actuating pressure. Electro-pneumatic valves controls the pressure in the equalization reservoir, on the independent application and release pipe and as the actuating pipe in response to the desired pressure signals. A electro-pneumatic valve for the control reservoir of the locomotive brake is controlled by the computer in response to pipe pressures. The computer provides penalties and interlocks electrically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Assignee: Knorr Brake Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin B. Root, John J. Allen, Jr., Ronald O. Newton
  • Patent number: 5172316
    Abstract: A computerized locomotive control system receiving as inputs electrical signals representing automatic and independent braking control signals and a computer for determining, from said input signals, electrical signals representing desired equalization reservoir pressure, desired independent application and release pressure and desired actuating pressure. Electro-pneumatic valves controls the pressure in the equalization reservoir, on the independent application and release pipe and as the actuating pipe in response to the desired pressure signals. An electro-pneumatic valve for the control reservoir of the locomotive brake is controlled by the computer in response to pipe pressures. The computer provides penalties and interlocks electrically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Assignee: New York Air Brake
    Inventors: Kevin B. Root, John J. Allen, Jr., Ronald O. Newton