Patents by Inventor Patrick R. Harris

Patrick R. Harris 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).

  • System and method for operating a ballast car hopper door
    Patent number: 10787109
    Abstract: A system and method for operating a ballast car hopper door includes logic and control circuitry, a hydraulic actuator, a door position sensor, and one or more sensors operable to measure system operational parameters. During normal operation of the hopper door the logic and control circuitry records the system operational parameters. In the event of failure, or absence, of the door position sensor the control circuitry compares real-time data to recorded data to maintain operation and correct positioning of the hopper door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Herzog Railroad Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan A. Landes, Khristopher R. Wall, Stephen Bedingfield, Douglas P. Thornton, Patrick R. Harris
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A BALLAST CAR HOPPER DOOR
    Publication number: 20180134201
    Abstract: A system and method for operating a ballast car hopper door includes logic and control circuitry, a hydraulic actuator, a door position sensor, and one or more sensors operable to measure system operational parameters. During normal operation of the hopper door the logic and control circuitry records the system operational parameters. In the event of failure, or absence, of the door position sensor the control circuitry compares real-time data to recorded data to maintain operation and correct positioning of the hopper door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Applicant: Herzog Railroad Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan A. Landes, Khristopher R. Wall, Stephen Bedingfield, Douglas P. Thornton, Patrick R. Harris
  • GPS controlled multiple source material application
    Patent number: 6526339
    Abstract: A GPS controlled multiple source material application or ballast spreading system includes tracking the position of a plurality of ballast hopper cars using GPS derived coordinates and controlling the opening of multiple ballast doors to spread ballast on desired sections of track for railroad maintenance. The process involves tracking the current hopper loads, the opened or closed state of the ballast doors, and the concurrent amount of ballast which has been spread on the desired track sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Herzog Contracting Corp.
    Inventors: Stanley M. Herzog, Ronald A. Schmitz, Ivan Eugene Bounds, Randy L. Poggemiller, Stephen L. Bedingfield, Patrick R. Harris, Daniel B. Laughlin