Patents by Inventor Paul Corcoran

Paul Corcoran 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: 9534995
    Abstract: A system for determining a modulus of resilience of a work material during a compaction operation includes a processor configured to determine a work material stiffness based on a force applied to the work material and a displacement of the work material, and determine the modulus of resilience of the work material based on a relationship between the work material stiffness and the modulus of resilience of the work material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Kristian Stoeckel, Liqun Chi, Paul Corcoran, Nicholas Oetken
  • Publication number: 20150362414
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a system and method for determining a modulus of resilience of a work material during a compaction operation. The system includes a processor configured to determine a work material stiffness based on a force applied to the work material and a displacement of the work material. The processor is further configured to determine the modulus of resilience of the work material based on a relationship between the work material stiffness and the modulus of resilience of the work material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventors: Kristian Stoeckel, Liqun Chi, Paul Corcoran, Nicholas Oetken
  • Publication number: 20150211199
    Abstract: This disclosure describes a system and method to calculate a ground stiffness value. The system includes at least one sensor configured to sense at least one of a vertical acceleration, vertical displacement, and a force of a compactor component and a processor configured to calculate a force at a drum-ground interface in response to the at least one sensor and further configured to calculate a drum displacement in response to the at least one sensor. The processor is further configured to determine ground stiffness using the calculated force at the drum-ground interface and the drum displacement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: PAUL CORCORAN, LIQUN CHI
  • Publication number: 20100282287
    Abstract: This process of charging electric and electrically backed up vehicles is done through roof mounted solar panels. With the rising cost and burning fossil fuels, it is designed to extend battery duration while in transit, keeping the electric motors running longer. These solar panels adhere directly to the roofs of any trailer in tow, being very thin, they keep the trailer aerodynamic. This technology is to be used in conjunction with the development of trucks using hybrid technology. Also, this process can be used to power the basic electrical needs of the truck the trailer is connected to, including the air conditioning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: Thomas Paul Corcoran
    Inventor: Thomas Paul Corcoran
  • Publication number: 20090295178
    Abstract: This pivoting hook system is designed to give the operator or the spotter on the building control over the swing of material being lifted. It provides a safer distance from under the load, as workers are in potential danger at times when handling tether ropes attached to beams, trusses, etc. as they guide them into place. This device provides a safer alternative to tying a rope to loads for positioning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventor: Thomas Paul Corcoran
  • Publication number: 20070239336
    Abstract: A method of operating a compactor machine includes determining a value indicative of a compaction state of a region of work material after each of a plurality of compactor passes, and triggering a compaction fault condition if an incipient compaction response satisfies aberrant compaction criteria. A work machine includes an electronic controller configured to trigger a compaction fault condition responsively to sensor input signals indicative that aberrant compaction criteria are satisfied by an incipient compaction response of a work material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas Congdon, Paul Corcoran
  • Publication number: 20060080017
    Abstract: Accurately determining the compaction state of a base material during the compaction process is a recognized problem in the construction industry. The present invention recognizes that the compaction state of the base material can be determined by ascertaining the effective roller radius of the compactor. In other words, in the case of powered compactors, the effective roller radius will asymptotically approach the actual roller radius as the base material changes from a soft un-compacted condition to a hard compacted state. Monitoring compaction state via indicative of an effective roller radius can be used alone as a means of determining compaction state in real time, or can be leveraged and combined with other independent means of monitoring the compaction state to a symbiotic affect in more accurately determining compaction state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
    Inventor: Paul Corcoran
  • Publication number: 20050183512
    Abstract: In most construction processes, some quality assurance compaction test must be performed on a base material before further construction can take place on or relative to the compacted base material. In order to avoid costly downtime associated with waiting for a quality assurance test to be performed, the present invention contemplates generating compaction quality assurance data using on-board generated compaction quality control data. The quality control compaction data is based upon quantifying a sinkage deformation interaction between the compactor and the base material. The interaction might include monitoring an effective roller radius of the compactor, or an amount of energy transferred or consumed when the compactor moves over the base material, or even measuring a rut depth caused by the compactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Publication date: August 25, 2005
    Inventor: Paul Corcoran
  • Publication number: 20050158129
    Abstract: The present invention is associated with a system and method of managing a compaction process. The method may include establishing a soil characteristic and establishing a machine performance characteristic in response to the soil characteristic. The machine performance characteristic may include a predictive compaction characteristic associated with a particular machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Publication date: July 21, 2005
    Inventors: Liqun Chi, Paul Corcoran, Susan Grandone
  • Patent number: 6126821
    Abstract: A raked bar screen for a storm overflow comprises a grid of parallel spaced-apart bars (1) attached at their ends to a framework (2,3,14). A comb assembly (4,5,6) has teeth (5) which engage in the spaces between the grid bars (1). The comb assembly is longitudinally reciprocable, whereby the comb teeth can sweep longitudinally back and forth between the grid bars. The grid bars are shaped to provide a straight central portion (10) and longitudinal end portions (11, 12) which are angled in relation to the straight portion. In use, sweeping of the comb teeth between the grid bars at the angled end portions drives out entrapped solid matter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: T J Brent Limited
    Inventor: Paul Corcoran
  • Patent number: 5375610
    Abstract: An apparatus for the functional assessment of human activity. The invention comprises four major components: the data acquisition unit, a body suit interface unit, a body suit having a plurality of mercury switches and a graphics oriented software package. The body suit is made from a non-conductive material, preferably a thermalactyl material with sensors permanently attached in position corresponding to the movements to be measured. The sensors have no direct electrical contact with the human wearer thus permitting the measurement period to extend to many hours. A portable data acquisition unit which is connected to the sensors enables the system to be used "on the job" to obtain mobility measurements under actual conditions. A graphic analysis means, connected to said data acquisition means, is provided for providing a visual display of the length of time that the human has spent in each of the pre-determined positions and the range of motion measured by the data acquisition unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: University of New Hampshire
    Inventors: John R. LaCourse, Paul Corcoran