Patents by Inventor Mark Joseph Bartonek
Mark Joseph Bartonek 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: 10458852Abstract: A system for detecting a temperature of a railroad train wheel or bearing includes a thermal line scanner and a processor. The thermal line scanner is positioned to capture a plurality of thermal line scans of the wheel or bearing. The processor is configured to analyze each of the plurality of thermal line scans, identify a selected line of the plurality of thermal line scans, and calculate the temperature of the wheel or the bearing based on the selected line. Thus, the system and method disclosed herein reduce the acquired thermal data first to a single line for one or both of the wheel temperature and bearing temperature and then to single values.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2016Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: Progress Rail Services CorporationInventors: Donald J. Arndt, Roland Frank O'Connell, Mark Joseph Bartonek
-
Patent number: 10012546Abstract: A temperature detection system for railway applications is provided. The system may include at least one infrared (IR) sensing element configured to detect IR signals emitted by a rail or a railcar, and a controller in communication with the at least one IR sensing element. The controller may be configured to receive the IR signals from the at least one IR sensing element, extract IR data corresponding to at least one of a rail and an undercarriage of the railcar from the IR signals, and generate a characteristic thermal profile of at least one of an ambient temperature and a rail temperature based on the IR data.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2015Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: Progress Rail Services CorporationInventors: Mark Joseph Bartonek, Donald J. Arndt, Steven Conrad Hamerle
-
Patent number: 9991696Abstract: A memory module is disclosed. The memory module may have an enclosure and a device disposed within the enclosure. The memory module may also have an orifice in a wall of the enclosure and a wire passing through the orifice. One end of the wire may be attached to the device. The memory module may further have a stopper attached to the wire. The stopper may be located abutting an outer surface of the enclosure. The memory module may also have a filler disposed within the enclosure. The filler may be configured to expand and be ejected out of the orifice when subjected to a threshold temperature. The filler may also be configured to push the stopper away from the outer surface and disconnect the wire from the device.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2014Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: Progress Rail Services CorporationInventor: Mark Joseph Bartonek
-
Publication number: 20170284868Abstract: A system for detecting a temperature of a railroad train wheel or bearing includes a thermal line scanner and a processor. The thermal line scanner is positioned to capture a plurality of thermal line scans of the wheel or bearing. The processor is configured to analyze each of the plurality of thermal line scans, identify a selected line of the plurality of thermal line scans, and calculate the temperature of the wheel or the bearing based on the selected line. Thus, the system and method disclosed herein reduce the acquired thermal data first to a single line for one or both of the wheel temperature and bearing temperature and then to single values.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2016Publication date: October 5, 2017Inventors: Donald J. ARNDT, Roland Frank O'CONNELL, Mark Joseph BARTONEK
-
Publication number: 20170115166Abstract: A temperature detection system for railway applications is provided. The system may include at least one infrared (IR) sensing element configured to detect IR signals emitted by a rail or a railcar, and a controller in communication with the at least one IR sensing element. The controller may be configured to receive the IR signals from the at least one IR sensing element, extract IR data corresponding to at least one of a rail and an undercarriage of the railcar from the IR signals, and generate a characteristic thermal profile of at least one of an ambient temperature and a rail temperature based on the IR data.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2015Publication date: April 27, 2017Applicant: Progress Rail Services CorporationInventors: Mark Joseph Bartonek, Donald J. Arndt, Steven Conrad Hamerle
-
Patent number: 9484164Abstract: A memory module is disclosed. The memory module may have an enclosure having a slot in a wall of the enclosure. The memory module may also have a device disposed within the enclosure. The memory module may further have a thermal cutoff disposed in the slot. The thermal cutoff may have a first end attached to the device. The thermal cutoff may also have a second end attached to a wire configured to electrically connect to the device. The thermal cutoff may disconnect the wire from the device when subjected to a threshold temperature.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2014Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: Progress Rail Services CorporationInventors: Mark Joseph Bartonek, Todd Charles Goergen
-
Patent number: 9263358Abstract: A memory module is disclosed. The memory module may have an insulator. The memory module may also have a device disposed within the insulator. The memory module may further have a filler disposed on the device. The filler may be configured to expand and flow into one or more cracks in the insulator, when the filler is subjected to a threshold temperature.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2014Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: Progress Rail Services CorporationInventor: Mark Joseph Bartonek
-
Publication number: 20160018244Abstract: A memory module is disclosed. The memory module may have an enclosure and a device disposed within the enclosure. The memory module may also have an orifice in a wall of the enclosure and a wire passing through the orifice. One end of the wire may be attached to the device. The memory module may further have a stopper attached to the wire. The stopper may be located abutting an outer surface of the enclosure. The memory module may also have a filler disposed within the enclosure. The filler may be configured to expand and be ejected out of the orifice when subjected to a threshold temperature. The filler may also be configured to push the stopper away from the outer surface and disconnect the wire from the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2014Publication date: January 21, 2016Inventor: Mark Joseph BARTONEK
-
Publication number: 20160020598Abstract: A memory module is disclosed. The memory module may have an enclosure having a slot in a wall of the enclosure. The memory module may also have a device disposed within the enclosure. The memory module may further have a thermal cutoff disposed in the slot. The thermal cutoff may have a first end attached to the device. The thermal cutoff may also have a second end attached to a wire configured to electrically connect to the device. The thermal cutoff may disconnect the wire from the device when subjected to a threshold temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2014Publication date: January 21, 2016Inventors: Mark Joseph BARTONEK, Todd Charles GOERGEN
-
Publication number: 20160018858Abstract: A memory module is disclosed. The memory module may have an insulator. The memory module may also have a device disposed within the insulator. The memory module may further have a filler disposed on the device. The filler may be configured to expand and flow into one or more cracks in the insulator, when the filler is subjected to a threshold temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2014Publication date: January 21, 2016Inventor: Mark Joseph BARTONEK
-
Patent number: 9168937Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a dragger. The dragger may have a plurality of sensors configured to be located adjacent a railroad track. Each of the plurality of sensors may be oriented at an angle relative to a horizontal plane. The dragger may also have a controller in communication with the plurality of sensors. The controller may be configured to receive signals from the plurality of sensors, determine a parameter based on at least one of the received signals, and detect a fault condition when the parameter exceeds a threshold.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2012Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: Progress Rail Services CorporationInventor: Mark Joseph Bartonek
-
Patent number: 9090270Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a method of detecting an object beneath a train. The method may include receiving a first signal indicative of a speed of the train, receiving a second signal indicative of a three generated by impact of the object with an impact element, and selecting a threshold value based on the speed of the train. The method may also include processing the second signal in accordance with a first procedure if the first signal indicates a speed of the train less than the threshold level, and processing the second signal in accordance with a second procedure different from the first procedure if the first signal is equal to or greater than the threshold level.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2012Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: Progress Rail Services CorporationInventor: Mark Joseph Bartonek
-
Patent number: 9090271Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a method and apparatus for characterizing an object protruding beneath a train traveling along a rail. The method may include receiving one or more signals indicative of a detected horizontal force component and a detected vertical force component generated by impact of the object with a stationary impact element. The method may also characterize the object based on the detected horizontal and vertical force components.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2012Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: Progress Rail Services CorporationInventor: Mark Joseph Bartonek
-
Publication number: 20150204024Abstract: A detector tie is provided for use in a railway. The detector tie may have a tie base, and a detector operatively coupled to the tie base. The detector tie may also have a vibration damper connected to a least one of the tie base and the detector. The vibration damper may be configured to protect the at least one detector from vibrations induced within the railway.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2014Publication date: July 23, 2015Applicant: Progress Rail Services CorporationInventor: Mark Joseph BARTONEK
-
Patent number: 8922384Abstract: A method for calibrating a moving object impact detector is disclosed. A controller may receive input indicative of movement of an impact element from a first position to a second position. The controller may also receive an activation signal corresponding to the movement of the impact element. The controller may further receive input indicative of instructions to correlate the activation signal with the movement of the impact element. The controller may selectively set the activation signal as a reference signal for the detector, with the reference signal being indicative of an impact the moving object impact detector is set to detect.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2012Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Mark Joseph Bartonek, Donald John Arndt, Steven Conrad Hamerle
-
Patent number: 8818585Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a flat wheel detector. The flat wheel detector may have a first sensor configured to be located adjacent a rail of a railroad track. The first sensor may be oriented at a first angle relative to a horizontal plane. The flat wheel detector may also have a second sensor configured to be located adjacent the rail. The second sensor may be oriented at a second angle relative to the horizontal plane. In addition, the flat wheel detector may have a controller in communication with the first and second sensors. The controller may be configured to receive signals from the first and second sensors. The controller may also be configured to detect a flat wheel on a railroad car based on the signals.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2012Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: Progress Rail Services CorpInventors: Mark Joseph Bartonek, Don Arndt
-
Patent number: 8800362Abstract: A method for detecting precipitation is disclosed. The method may include receiving a signal from a sensing module positioned in the vicinity of a railroad track, the signal being indicative of a capacitive dielectric property of a form of precipitation that has accumulated in the vicinity of the railroad track. The method may further include processing the signal from the sensing module to determine the type of precipitation that has accumulated in the vicinity of the railroad track as a function of the indicated capacitive dielectric property. The method may still further include sending a signal indicative of a recommended action based on the type of precipitation.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2012Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: Progress Rail Services CorpInventor: Mark Joseph Bartonek
-
Publication number: 20140165717Abstract: A method for detecting precipitation is disclosed. The method may include receiving a signal from a sensing module positioned in the vicinity of a railroad track, the signal being indicative of a capacitive dielectric property of a form of precipitation that has accumulated in the vicinity of the railroad track. The method may further include processing the signal from the sensing module to determine the type of precipitation that has accumulated in the vicinity of the railroad track as a function of the indicated capacitive dielectric property. The method may still further include sending a signal indicative of a recommended action based on the type of precipitation.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2012Publication date: June 19, 2014Applicant: Progress Rail Services CorporationInventor: MARK JOSEPH BARTONEK
-
Publication number: 20140118152Abstract: A method for calibrating a moving object impact detector is disclosed. A controller may receive input indicative of movement of an impact element from a first position to a second position. The controller may also receive an activation signal corresponding to the movement of the impact element. The controller may further receive input indicative of instructions to correlate the activation signal with the movement of the impact element. The controller may selectively set the activation signal as a reference signal for the detector, with the reference signal being indicative of an impact the moving object impact detector is set to detect.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2012Publication date: May 1, 2014Applicant: PROGRESS RAIL SERVICES CORPORATIONInventors: MARK JOSEPH BARTONEK, DONALD JOHN ARNDT, STEVEN CONRAD HAMERLE
-
Publication number: 20140110537Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a dragger. The dragger may have a plurality of sensors configured to be located adjacent a railroad track. Each of the plurality of sensors may be oriented at an angle relative to a horizontal plane. The dragger may also have a controller in communication with the plurality of sensors. The controller may be configured to receive signals from the plurality of sensors, determine a parameter based on at least one of the received signals, and detect a fault condition when the parameter exceeds a threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2012Publication date: April 24, 2014Applicant: PROGRESS RAIL SERVICES CORPORATIONInventor: Mark Joseph BARTONEK