Patents by Inventor Michael Fry
Michael Fry 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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Publication number: 20140207317Abstract: A system includes an application device, a control unit, a detection unit, an identification unit, and a secondary analysis module. The application device is configured to be at least one of conductively or inductively coupled with a route. The control unit is configured to control supply of electric current to inject an examination signal into the route via the application device. The detection unit is configured to monitor one or more electrical characteristics of the route. The identification unit is configured to examine the one or more electrical characteristics of the route to determine whether a section of the route is potentially damaged. The secondary analysis module is configured to perform a secondary analysis of the potentially damaged section of the route to at least one of confirm that damage has occurred, identify a type of damage, or assess a level of damage.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2014Publication date: July 24, 2014Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Joseph Forrest Noffsinger, Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Jeffrey Michael Fries, Jared Klineman Cooper, Steven Ehret
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Publication number: 20140138493Abstract: A route examining system includes first and second application devices, a control unit, first and second detection units, and an identification unit. The first and second application devices are disposed onboard a vehicle traveling along a route having conductive tracks. The control unit controls injection of a first examination signal into the conductive tracks via the first application device and injection of a second examination signal into the conductive tracks via the second application device. The first and second detection units monitor electrical characteristics of the route in response to the first and second examination signals being injected into the conductive tracks. The identification unit examines the electrical characteristics of the conductive tracks in order to determine whether a section of the route is potentially damaged based on the electrical characteristics.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2013Publication date: May 22, 2014Inventors: Joseph Forrest Noffsinger, Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Yuri Alexeyevich Plotnikov, Jeffrey Michael Fries, Srilatha Boyanapally, Steven Joseph Ehret
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Publication number: 20140125318Abstract: A signal detection system for use with a signaling system is disclosed, the signal detection system comprising a plurality of electrical terminals including a source terminal and an output terminal, the output terminal being connected to a signaling device. An auxiliary terminal electrically coupled to at least one of the plurality of electrical terminals is provided. A current sensor is coupled to the auxiliary terminal for detecting an electrical signal for controlling the signaling device. The current sensor generating an output signal in response to the detection of the electrical signal for controlling the signaling device for monitoring the status of the signaling device. Also disclosed is a method for installing a signal detection system in a wayside signaling system including a signaling device for monitoring a status of the signaling device. An apparatus for connecting a current sensor to a signaling device is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2012Publication date: May 8, 2014Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Jeffrey Michael FRIES, Gregory K. HANN, Aric Weingartner, Steven R. MURPHY, Dan E Erickson, David FLETCHER, Bradley Dale Brown
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Patent number: 8581499Abstract: There is provided a method of determining the state of a signal lamp. The method includes receiving time series data corresponding to an electrical signal used to power a signal lamp. The state of the signal lamp can switch from one of the following states to another of the following states: an on state, an off state, and a flashing state. The method also includes determining the state of the signal lamp, based at least in part on both the time series data and an amplitude value of the electrical signal relative to an amplitude-change threshold value over a determined number of amplitude changes.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2011Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jeffrey Michael Fries, Jeffery Armstrong, Robert N. Bettis, Gregory Keith Hann, Hsien-Kuo Lin, Steve R. Murphy, Daniel G. Penny, III, Eric Vorndran
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Publication number: 20120314332Abstract: There is provided a voltage or current sensing device. An exemplary voltage or current sensing device includes a drive circuitry configured to deliver a drive current to a magnetic core operably coupled with a conductor, for driving the core to cyclical magnetic saturation. The device also includes sense circuitry configured to receive a voltage signal corresponding to an application current in the conductor. The device also includes signal processing circuitry configured to sample the voltage signal, wherein a first sample is in phase with the drive current and a second sample is out of phase with the drive current. The device also includes a feedback loop configured to deliver a compensation current to the magnetic core, wherein the compensation current is configured to balance the magnetic core and wherein the compensation current is based at least in part on the first sample in phase with the drive current.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2011Publication date: December 13, 2012Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jeffrey Michael Fries, Jeffery Armstrong, Robert N. Bettis, Bradley Dale Brown, Shawn T. Clark, Gregory K. Hann, Mark Kraeling, Steve R. Murphy, Daniel G. Penny, III, Eric Vorndran
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Publication number: 20120293074Abstract: There is provided a method of determining the state of a signal lamp. The method includes receiving time series data corresponding to an electrical signal used to power a signal lamp. The state of the signal lamp can switch from one of the following states to another of the following states: an on state, an off state, and a flashing state. The method also includes determining the state of the signal lamp, based at least in part on both the time series data and an amplitude value of the electrical signal relative to an amplitude-change threshold value over a determined number of amplitude changes.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2011Publication date: November 22, 2012Applicant: General Electric Company, a New York CorporationInventors: Jeffrey Michael Fries, Jeffery Armstrong, Robert N. Bettis, Gregory Keith Hann, Hsien-Kuo Lin, Steve R. Murphy, Daniel G. Penny, III, Eric Vorndran
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Publication number: 20120232813Abstract: A method for calibrating a track circuit is provided. The track circuit includes a transmit processing unit, a receive processing unit, and a plurality of rails coupled in series to form a track section having a first end and a second end. The transmit processing unit is coupled to the track section adjacent the first end. The receive processing unit is coupled to the track section adjacent the second end. The method includes operating the transmit processing unit so that a first voltage is applied to the track section, operating the receive processing unit to detect a first current signal, and if a parameter of the first current signal is not within a predetermined acceptable range, then communicating with the transmit processing unit so that the transmit processing unit applies a second voltage to the track section, the second voltage having a different magnitude than the first voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2012Publication date: September 13, 2012Inventors: Richard Lee Lawson, Jeffrey Michael Fries, Tom Otsubo
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Publication number: 20110167497Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for managing wireless devices in an enterprise. A first exemplary method manages the physical access points of a wireless network in an enterprise. A second exemplary method manages the assets of wireless devices in an enterprise. A third exemplary method enables virus detection within wireless devices. A fourth exemplary method manages wireless device data backup.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2011Publication date: July 7, 2011Applicant: Computer Associates Think, Inc.Inventors: Johan Van de Groenendaal, Michael Fry, Sandeep Jain, Andrzej Zalewski, Ralf Saborowski, Davanum Srinivas
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Patent number: 7954770Abstract: In a jointless track system, passive signaling devices (“PSDs”) are coupled to a railroad track. The PSDs are used to optimize the amplitude, modulation, coding, and frequency of waveforms that are applied to the track (by signaling points) for at least three track circuit functions: detecting trains, detecting broken rails, and communicating between the signaling points and PSDs.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2006Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Harold Woodruff Tomlinson, Jr., John Erik Hershey, Jeffrey Michael Fries
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Patent number: 7907565Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for managing wireless devices in an enterprise. A first exemplary method manages the physical access points of a wireless network in an enterprise. A second exemplary method manages the assets of wireless devices in an enterprise. A third exemplary method enables virus detection within wireless devices. A fourth exemplary method manages wireless device data backup.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2003Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignee: Computer Associates Think, Inc.Inventors: Johan Van de Groenendaal, Michael Fry, Sandeep Jain, Andrzej Zalewski, Ralf Saborowski, Davanum Srinivas
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Patent number: 7823841Abstract: A rail break or rail vehicle detection system which includes a voltage source, capable of voltage source compensation, is coupled to each of a plurality of zones within a block of rail track devoid of insulated joints. A plurality of current sensors are provided, each coupled to a respective voltage source and configured to measure current flowing through the sensor in response to changing voltage patterns. Each current sensor is further configured in one embodiment to determine and compare signatures based on current measurements to a predetermined decision surface to detect the presence of a rail vehicle or rail break on a predetermined block of track. The voltage source or current sensor can be adapted to control voltage levels and polarity of each voltage source. A method of communicating the presence or absence of a rail break or rail vehicle employs an in-rail TDMA communication scheme to synchronize, test and communicate directly between the sensors without use of external controllers.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2007Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Todd Alan Anderson, Emad Andarawis Andarawis, Jeffrey Michael Fries
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Patent number: 7815151Abstract: In a railroad track system that provides for communications through a track rail without insulated joints between a specific transmitter and a specific receiver when a plurality of transmitters and a plurality of receivers are communicating using the track rail, a method including emitting a unique signal from the specific transmitter during a specific time. The unique signal is transmitted through a railway rail, which is without an insulated joint between successive rails and is the medium through which the unique signal travels, wherein the unique signal is detectable but not readable by the plurality of receiver. The specific receiver is activated to read the unique signal during the specific time.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2007Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Andrew Lawrence Ruggiero, Benjamin Paul Church, Jeffrey Michael Fries
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Publication number: 20100258682Abstract: In a transportation system (rail system or otherwise), a wayside device potentially operates in a plurality of operational modes. The wayside device is outfitted with an interface system for interfacing the wayside signal device with a vehicle control system. The interface system determines the present operational mode of the wayside device and independently communicates information relating to the determined present operational mode to the vehicle control system. The vehicle control system may control the vehicle based on the information relating to the determined present operational mode. The interface system includes functionality for validating the determined present operational mode prior to transmission of the information to the vehicle control system, to ensure that the vehicle control system is provided with correct and/or current information. The wayside device may be a wayside signal device whose operational modes (as determined by the interface system) are signal aspects conveyed to a vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2009Publication date: October 14, 2010Inventors: Jeffrey Michael FRIES, Gregory K. HANN, Aric WEINGARTNER, Joseph Forrest NOFFSINGER, Jeffrey K. BAKER
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Publication number: 20090173842Abstract: A method for calibrating a track circuit is provided. The track circuit includes a transmit processing unit, a receive processing unit, and a plurality of rails coupled in series to form a track section having a first end and a second end. The transmit processing unit is coupled to the track section adjacent the first end. The receive processing unit is coupled to the track section adjacent the second end. The method includes operating the transmit processing unit so that a first voltage is applied to the track section, operating the receive processing unit to detect a first current signal, and if a parameter of the first current signal is not within a predetermined acceptable range, then communicating with the transmit processing unit so that the transmit processing unit applies a second voltage to the track section, the second voltage having a different magnitude than the first voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2008Publication date: July 9, 2009Inventors: Richard Lee Lawson, Jeffrey Michael Fries, Tom Otsubo
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Publication number: 20090079560Abstract: Remote monitoring and diagnosis of railroad devices using data structures defined for each of the railroad devices. The railroad devices are configured to populate the data structures with status data. The railroad devices transmit the status data for analysis using a network protocol. The analysis of the data results in reduced maintenance.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2007Publication date: March 26, 2009Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jeffrey Michael Fries, Aric Albert Weingartner, Derald J. Henrickx
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Publication number: 20080296441Abstract: A rail break or rail vehicle detection system which includes a voltage source, capable of voltage source compensation, is coupled to each of a plurality of zones within a block of rail track devoid of insulated joints. A plurality of current sensors are provided, each coupled to a respective voltage source and configured to measure current flowing through the sensor in response to changing voltage patterns. Each current sensor is further configured in one embodiment to determine and compare signatures based on current measurements to a predetermined decision surface to detect the presence of a rail vehicle or rail break on a predetermined block of track. The voltage source or current sensor can be adapted to control voltage levels and polarity of each voltage source. A method of communicating the presence or absence of a rail break or rail vehicle employs an in-rail TDMA communication scheme to synchronize, test and communicate directly between the sensors without use of external controllers.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2007Publication date: December 4, 2008Inventors: Todd Alan Anderson, Emad Andarawis Andarawis, Jeffrey Michael Fries
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Publication number: 20080173770Abstract: In a railroad track system that provides for communications through a track rail without insulated joints between a specific transmitter and a specific receiver when a plurality of transmitters and a plurality of receivers are communicating using the track rail, a method including emitting a unique signal from the specific transmitter during a specific time. The unique signal is transmitted through a railway rail, which is without an insulated joint between successive rails and is the medium through which the unique signal travels, wherein the unique signal is detectable but not readable by the plurality of receiver. The specific receiver is activated to read the unique signal during the specific time.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2007Publication date: July 24, 2008Inventors: Andrew Lawrence Ruggiero, Benjamin Paul Church, Jeffrey Michael Fries
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Publication number: 20080142645Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods and systems for connecting passive signaling devices (“PSDs”) to a railroad track and using the PSDs to optimize the amplitude, modulation, coding, and frequency of waveforms that applied to the track (by signaling points) for at least three track circuit functions: detecting trains, detecting broken rails, and communicating between signaling points and PSDs.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2006Publication date: June 19, 2008Inventors: Harold Woodruff Tomlinson, John Erik Hershey, Jeffrey Michael Fries
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Patent number: D660372Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2011Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: Meyer and Sons Design L.L.P.Inventors: Scott A. Meyer, David J. Meyer, Michael A. Fry
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Patent number: D698043Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2012Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Inventors: Michael Fries, Jeffrey Fries