Patents by Inventor Michael Davenport
Michael Davenport 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).
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Patent number: 7270442Abstract: System and method for monitoring status of a visual signal lamp. The system includes at least one optical fiber comprising a first end and a second end. The first end is positioned proximate to the signal lamp and is oriented to capture a portion of light signal emitted by the signal lamp when the signal lamp is illuminated. The system also includes a photodetector positioned proximate to the second end of the optical fiber and configured to receive the portion of light signal. The system further includes a threshold detection circuitry connected to the photodetector and configured to detect a lighting parameter in relation to the signal lamp according to a predetermined criterion.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2004Date of Patent: September 18, 2007Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: David Michael Davenport, John Erik Hershey, Todd Ryan Tolliver
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Patent number: 7262729Abstract: A radar system having a processor, a waveform generator, a plurality of antenna interfaces, a set of first antennas configured to transmit a waveform, and a set of second antennas configured to receive a reflected waveform is disclosed. The waveform generator and antenna interfaces are in control and signal communication with the processor, each of the first antennas are in signal communication with one of each antenna interface, and each of the second antennas are in signal communication with one of each antenna interface. The waveform generator is in control and signal communication with each antenna interface, and is configurable to generate a waveform conforming to at least two ISM bands. Each first antenna is configured to transmit a circularly polarized electromagnetic waveform, and each second antenna is configured to receive a reflected circularly polarized electromagnetic waveform complementary to the first antennas.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2006Date of Patent: August 28, 2007Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: John Erik Hershey, Ralph Thomas Hoctor, David Michael Davenport, Jeffrey Michael Ashe, Richard Louis Frey, Kenneth Brakeley Welles, V. Paul Staudinger, Harold W. Tomlinson, Jr.
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Publication number: 20070155525Abstract: A practice device that can be used with or without a ball to help further develop the feel and muscle memory of a proper swing. A swing training device includes a handle, a shaft and a weight slidably mounted along the shaft. During the swinging of the club, the weight slides from an end near the user's hands to a distal end away from the user. When the weight reaches the distal end, the weight contacts a stop creating an audible “snap,” giving the user both tactile and audible feedback to the success of the swing. The weight preferably includes a friction adjustment device to control the amount of static and/or dynamic friction between the sliding weight and the shaft. The shaft preferably has a constant cross-sectional area or diameter to provide a set amount of friction during the travel of the weight along the shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2007Publication date: July 5, 2007Inventors: Michael Davenport, Roger Stewart
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Patent number: 7195211Abstract: An electronically controlled grade crossing gate system and method. The system includes a gate arm, a gate arm moving assembly, a position sensor assembly and a controller. The gate arm moving assembly is configured to move the gate arm and the position sensor assembly is configured to sense a position of the gate arm. The position sensor assembly is a non-contact position sensor assembly. The controller is coupled to the gate arm moving assembly and the position sensor assembly and it is configured to receive an incoming command related to the gate arm. The controller activates the gate arm moving assembly in response to the incoming command and communicates with the position sensor assembly to monitor the position of the gate arm.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2004Date of Patent: March 27, 2007Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Mallikarjun Shivaraya Kande, Vidyadhar Kottisa, David Michael Davenport, Pradeep Vijayan, Kuna Venkat Satya Rama Kishore, Kunal Ravindra Goray, Raju Mogaveera, Ramasamy Anbarasu
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Patent number: 7148581Abstract: An electrical power generation system comprises a variable capacitor and a power source. The electrical power generation system is configured to generate electric power via movements of the rail. The power source is used in the form of a generator to prime the variable capacitor that effectively multiplies the priming energy of the power source by extracting energy from the passing vehicle. By alternately priming the variable capacitor using charge from the power source and discharging it at a later time in a cyclic manner to change the capacitance, a significantly large amount of electrical energy is produced due to change in capacitance than from the power source itself.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2004Date of Patent: December 12, 2006Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: John Erik Hershey, Kenneth Brakeley Welles, II, Charles Erklin Seeley, David Michael Davenport, Harold Woodruff Tomlinson, Jr., Thomas Paul Feist
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Patent number: 7123165Abstract: An operational status detection system for a railroad warning device having a warning light, comprising: a photo detector configured to generate a signal corresponding to a light output of the warning light of the railroad warning device, the photo detector comprising a lens, an optical filter and a photodiode, wherein the optical filter is disposed between the photodiode and the lens and the optical filter is configured to provide the light output of the warning light to be presented as a substantially uniform spatial response to the photodiode wherein areas of high intensity of the warning light that are received by the lens are attenuated, the areas of high intensity providing higher light outputs than other areas of the warning light; and a microcontroller for receiving the signal, wherein the microcontroller compares the signal to at least one threshold value, the at least one threshold value corresponding to an acceptable light output of the warning light.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2004Date of Patent: October 17, 2006Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: David Michael Davenport, Mark Marshall Meyers
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Patent number: 7109920Abstract: A system and method for determining a position of a moving platform are provided. The method includes transmitting a carrier signal from one of the moving platform and a stationary platform, receiving a received signal at the other of the moving and stationary platforms, deriving a frequency shift between the carrier signal and the received signal, and calculating the apparent closing velocity using the frequency shift and a frequency of the carrier signal.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2003Date of Patent: September 19, 2006Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: David Michael Davenport, John Erik Hershey, Ralph Thomas Hoctor
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Patent number: 7068715Abstract: An ultra-wideband (UWB) communications system combines the techniques of a transmitted reference (TR) and a multiple access scheme called delay hopping (DH). Combining these two techniques using UWB signaling using a continuous noise transmitted waveform avoids the synchronization difficulties associated with conventional approaches. This TR technique is combined with the DH multiple access technique to create a UWB communications scheme that has a greater multiple access capacity than does the UWB TR technique by itself.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2001Date of Patent: June 27, 2006Assignee: Genral Electric CompanyInventors: Ralph Thomas Hoctor, David Michael Davenport, Aaron Mark Dentinger, Nick Andrew VanStralen, Harold Woodruff Tomlinson, Jr., Kenneth Brakeley Welles, II, John Erik Hershey
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Patent number: 7053784Abstract: A system for monitoring alignment of a signal lamp includes at least one sensor and threshold detection circuitry. The sensor is positioned about the signal lamp and is configured to measure at least one of azimuthal and elevational movement of the signal lamp and generate an electrical signal. The threshold detection circuitry is configured to receive signals representative of the azimuthal and elevational movement of the signal lamp from the sensor. The threshold detection circuitry determine a change in alignment of the signal lamp according to at least one of the azimuthal movement signals and the elevational movement signals.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2004Date of Patent: May 30, 2006Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: William Thomas Hatfield, Kenneth Brakeley Welles, II, Harry Kirk Mathews, Jr., Emad Andarawis Andarawis, David Michael Davenport, Dennis Dominic Cusano, Ganesh Chandan Gangadharan, Ertugrul Berkcan
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Patent number: 6951132Abstract: A system and method for determining at least one parameter related to a train traversing on a railway track is provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2003Date of Patent: October 4, 2005Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: David Michael Davenport, Nick Andrew Van Stralen, Thomas James Batzinger, Robert Snee Gilmore, Paul Kenneth Houpt
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Patent number: 6937877Abstract: A system for communicating over a plurality of wireless data networks, the system comprising a software defined radio capable of being configured to operate with a plurality of wireless network services; a radio controller for reconfiguring the radio to operate over a wireless data network; a first database containing information about wireless data networks; wireless location technology used to determine a location of the radio; wherein the wireless location technology determines a location of the radio and the controller compares the location with information contained in the first database to determine available wireless data networks.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2000Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: David Michael Davenport
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Patent number: 6911914Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for detecting a hot rail car surface comprises: an infrared sensor for acquiring an infrared signal from a rail car surface of a rail car and transducing the infrared signal into an electrical signal; a rank filter for filtering the electrical signal to produce a filtered array; a first peak detector for detecting a maximum filtered value of the filtered array; and a first comparator for comparing the maximum filtered value to a detection threshold to produce a filtered alarm signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2002Date of Patent: June 28, 2005Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Harry Kirk Mathews, Jr., Walter Vincent Dixon, David Michael Davenport, Harry Israel Ringermacher, Paul Kenneth Houpt
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Patent number: 6895362Abstract: A system to monitor the integrity of a railway track is provided. The system comprises a mechanical signal source and a correlation detector. The mechanical signal source coupled to the railway track and is configured for generating a mechanical signal pulse train over the railway track. The correlation detector monitors the integrity of the railway track by observing the pulse trains transmitted by the mechanical signal sources. If the railway track is intact, then the pulse train will travel to the correlation detector and afford the opportunity for repeatable detection.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2003Date of Patent: May 17, 2005Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: David Michael Davenport, Ralph Thomas Hoctor, Nick Andrew Van Stralen
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Publication number: 20040261533Abstract: A system and method for determining at least one parameter related to a train traversing on a railway track is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2003Publication date: December 30, 2004Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: David Michael Davenport, Nick Andrew Van Stralen, Thomas James Batzinger, Robert Snee Gilmore, Paul Kenneth Houpt
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Publication number: 20040172216Abstract: A system to monitor the integrity of a railway track is provided. The system comprises a mechanical signal source and a correlation detector. The mechanical signal source coupled to the railway track and is configured for generating a mechanical signal pulse train over the railway track. The correlation detector monitors the integrity of the railway track by observing the pulse trains transmitted by the mechanical signal sources. If the railway track is intact, then the pulse train will travel to the correlation detector and afford the opportunity for repeatable detection.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2003Publication date: September 2, 2004Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: David Michael Davenport, Ralph Thomas Hoctor, Nick Andrew Van Stralen
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Patent number: 6742392Abstract: A method and apparatus for nondestructive testing a railroad rail is provided. The method includes locating at least one magnetic exciter adjacent to the rail, the at least one magnetic exciter includes an emitting end and a longitudinal axis extending perpendicularly through the emitting end, discharging the energy storage circuit through the at least one magnetic exciter such that only a magnetic pulse enters the rail at a location of the exciter, and controlling a shape of the magnetic pulse. The apparatus includes at least one magnetic exciter adjacent to a rail, a energy storage circuit electrically coupled to the at least one magnetic exciter the energy storage circuit is configured to supply a shaped current pulse to the at least one exciter, and a power source electrically coupled to the energy storage circuit.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2002Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert Snee Gilmore, John Erik Hershey, David Michael Davenport, Daniel White Sexton
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Publication number: 20040079157Abstract: A method and apparatus for nondestructive testing a railroad rail is provided. The method includes locating at least one magnetic exciter adjacent to the rail, the at least one magnetic exciter includes an emitting end and a longitudinal axis extending perpendicularly through the emitting end, discharging the energy storage circuit through the at least one magnetic exciter such that only a magnetic pulse enters the rail at a location of the exciter, and controlling a shape of the magnetic pulse. The apparatus includes at least one magnetic exciter adjacent to a rail, a energy storage circuit electrically coupled to the at least one magnetic exciter, the energy storage circuit is configured to supply a shaped current pulse to the at least one exciter, and a power source electrically coupled to the energy storage circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2002Publication date: April 29, 2004Inventors: Robert Snee Gilmore, John Erik Hershey, David Michael Davenport, Daniel White Sexton
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Publication number: 20030223387Abstract: A communication apparatus for allowing a first remote asset to communicate with wayside device, a second remote asset, a remote facility and a central operations facility, the apparatus comprising a local area network module for sending and receiving a communication over a short range using a local area network, a wide area network module for sending and receiving a communication over a long range using a wide area network, a control module to control communications sent and received over at least one of said local area network and said wide area network, and a coordinate module to coordinate a communication sent and received from a sensor wherein the apparatus passes the communication between the first remote asset and at least one of the wayside device, the second remote asset, the remote facility and the central facility based on at least one of a coverage area, latency, and a predetermined function.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2002Publication date: December 4, 2003Inventors: David Michael Davenport, Carl Frederick Conrath, Glenn Robert Shaffer, Ralph T. Hoctor, John Erik Hershey
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Publication number: 20030187605Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for detecting a hot rail car surface comprises: an infrared sensor for acquiring an infrared signal from a rail car surface of a rail car and transducing the infrared signal into an electrical signal; a rank filter for filtering the electrical signal to produce a filtered array; a first peak detector for detecting a maximum filtered value of the filtered array; and a first comparator for comparing the maximum filtered value to a detection threshold to produce a filtered alarm signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2002Publication date: October 2, 2003Applicant: General Electric Company-Global Research CenterInventors: Harry Kirk Mathews, Walter Vincent Dixon, David Michael Davenport, Harry Israel Ringermacher, Paul Kenneth Houpt
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Patent number: 6626356Abstract: A credit card system and method for configuring a vehicle specific to a user and for transacting financial transactions, the system comprising a User Preference and Information Database containing information specific to said user for configuring a specific vehicle, a credit card capable of storing financial transaction information and information to access said User Preference Database, a credit card data receptacle located in said vehicle, a global communication network, a User Transaction History Database containing information about said user's prior transactions, a display monitor located in said vehicle, and a point of sale where said credit card is used for a financial transaction.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2001Date of Patent: September 30, 2003Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: David Michael Davenport, John Erik Hershey