Patents by Inventor Paul K. Houpt

Paul K. Houpt 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: 8924049
    Abstract: A method includes determining an operational parameter of a first vehicle traveling with a plurality of vehicles in a transportation network and/or a route in the transportation network, identifying a failure condition of the first vehicle and/or the route based on the operational parameter, obtaining plural different sets of remedial actions that dictate operations to be taken based on the operational parameter, simulating travel of the plurality of vehicles in the transportation network based on implementation of the different sets of remedial actions, determining potential consequences on travel of the plurality of vehicles in the transportation network when the different sets of remedial actions are implemented in the travel that is simulated, and based on the potential consequences, receiving a selection of at least one of the different sets of remedial actions to be implemented in actual travel of the plurality of vehicles in the transportation network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Paul K. Houpt, Stephen S. Mathe, Paul M. Julich, Jeffrey Kisak, Glenn Shaffer, Scott D. Nelson, Wolfgang Daum
  • Patent number: 8538611
    Abstract: A multi-level system for management of a railway system and its operational components in which the railway system has a first level configured to optimize an operation within the first level that includes first level operational parameters which define operational characteristics and data of the first level, and a second level configured to optimize an operation within the second level that includes second level operational parameters which define the operational characteristic and data of the second level. The first level provides the second level with the first level operational parameters, and the second level provides the first level with the second level operational parameters, such that optimizing the operation within the first level and optimizing the operation within the second level are each a function of optimizing a system optimization parameter. The levels can include a railroad infrastructure level, a track network level, a train level, a consist level and a locomotive level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ajith K. Kumar, Paul K. Houpt, Stephen S. Mathe, Paul M. Julich, Jeffrey Kisak, Glenn Shaffer, Scott D. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20120277940
    Abstract: A method includes determining an operational parameter of a first vehicle traveling with a plurality of vehicles in a transportation network and/or a route in the transportation network, identifying a failure condition of the first vehicle and/or the route based on the operational parameter, obtaining plural different sets of remedial actions that dictate operations to be taken based on the operational parameter, simulating travel of the plurality of vehicles in the transportation network based on implementation of the different sets of remedial actions, determining potential consequences on travel of the plurality of vehicles in the transportation network when the different sets of remedial actions are implemented in the travel that is simulated, and based on the potential consequences, receiving a selection of at least one of the different sets of remedial actions to be implemented in actual travel of the plurality of vehicles in the transportation network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventors: Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Paul K. Houpt, Stephen S. Mathe, Paul M. Julich, Jeffrey Kisak, Glenn Shaffer, Scott D. Nelson, Wolfgang Daum
  • Patent number: 8219268
    Abstract: A navigation system includes a computer readable storage medium having a sequence of instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to acquire a plurality of parameters of a train comprising parameters measured after the train has begun a journey. The train includes a plurality of vehicles providing tractive effort and a consist coupled to the plurality of vehicles. The sequence of instructions also causes the processor to calculate the tractive effort of less than all of the plurality of vehicles based on the acquired plurality of parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Krishnamoorthy Kalyanam, Ajith Kumar, Paul K. Houpt, Manthram Sivasubramaniam
  • Patent number: 8185263
    Abstract: A computer readable storage medium has a sequence of instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to acquire a plurality of actual train speed measurements from at least one sensor during a journey and acquire a train power parameter corresponding to each of the plurality of actual train speed measurements. The sequence of instructions further causes the processor to estimate a plurality of resistance parameters from the plurality of actual train speed measurements and the corresponding train power parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Krishnamoorthy Kalyanam, Paul K. Houpt, Manthram Sivasubramaniam
  • Publication number: 20100174484
    Abstract: A system for optimizing a trip for a hybrid vehicle, comprising a computer programmed to determine a route for the hybrid vehicle to travel, obtain altitude and terrain information of the route, and generate a trip plan based on at least the route and altitude to minimize total energy expended along the route by encouraging regenerative braking during portions of the route, regardless of needs to slow the hybrid vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventors: Manthram Sivasubramaniam, Paul K. Houpt, Ajit Wasant Kane, Ajith Kumar, Lembit Salasoo
  • Publication number: 20100174427
    Abstract: A system and method for determining and managing a slack state of a train and for is disclosed. The system acquires railway system parameters for a plurality of railway vehicles and for a track segment traversed by the plurality of railway vehicles, the parameters including a grade of the track segment at each of a plurality of locations therealong and an acceleration of each of the plurality of railway vehicles at each of the plurality of locations. The system calculates a coupler force for each of the plurality of railway vehicles at each of the plurality of locations based on the railway system parameters, determines a slack state for the plurality of railway vehicles based on the calculated coupler forces, and determines a limit on a tractive effort generated by locomotive consists included in the railway vehicles based on the determined slack state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventors: Manthram Sivasubramaniam, David So Keung Chan, Paul K. Houpt, Krishnamoorthy Kalyanam
  • Publication number: 20100131128
    Abstract: A navigation system includes a computer readable storage medium having a sequence of instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to acquire a plurality of parameters of a train comprising parameters measured after the train has begun a journey. The train includes a plurality of vehicles providing tractive effort and a consist coupled to the plurality of vehicles. The sequence of instructions also causes the processor to calculate the tractive effort of less than all of the plurality of vehicles based on the acquired plurality of parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventors: Krishnamoorthy Kalyanam, Ajith Kumar, Paul K. Houpt, Manthram Sivasubramaniam
  • Publication number: 20100131130
    Abstract: A computer readable storage medium has a sequence of instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to acquire a plurality of actual train speed measurements from at least one sensor during a journey and acquire a train power parameter corresponding to each of the plurality of actual train speed measurements. The sequence of instructions further causes the processor to estimate a plurality of resistance parameters from the plurality of actual train speed measurements and the corresponding train power parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventors: Krishnamoorthy Kalyanam, Paul K. Houpt, Manthram Sivasubramaniam
  • Publication number: 20040133315
    Abstract: A multi-level system for management of a railway system and its operational components in which the railway system has a first level configured to optimize an operation within the first level that includes first level operational parameters which define operational characteristics and data of the first level, and a second level configured to optimize an operation within the second level that includes second level operational parameters which define the operational characteristic and data of the second level. The first level provides the second level with the first level operational parameters, and the second level provides the first level with the second level operational parameters, such that optimizing the operation within the first level and optimizing the operation within the second level are each a function of optimizing a system optimization parameter. The levels can include a railroad infrastructure level, a track network level, a train level, a consist level and a locomotive level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ajith K. Kumar, Paul K. Houpt, Stephen S. Mathe, Paul M. Julich, Jeffrey Kisak, Glenn Shaffer, Scott D. Nelson
  • Patent number: 5559173
    Abstract: A system for controlling the color of compounded polymer(s) comprises: a compounder for mixing the constituents of the compounded polymer(s) to produce a substantially homogeneous mixture; a sensor for measuring the color of the substantially homogeneous mixture at predetermined intervals; a colorant additive feeder, responsive to a controller, for providing the colorant additive(s) to the mixture at substantially predetermined colorant additive addition rates; and a controller, responsive to the sensor, for controlling the colorant additive addition rate(s) of the feeder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Peter J. Campo, Paul K. Houpt
  • Patent number: 5517424
    Abstract: A method for automated control of a steam turbine during cyclic operation includes the steps of comparing current turbine loading with an anticipated load profile to generate a load error signal. Anticipated electrical load profiles correspond to the time of day, day of the week, month of the year, and historical data; operator input can vary such historical profiles as appropriate for unusual situations. The predicted load profile is categorized with respect to selected composite electrical load cycle profiles; weighted operating constraints are generated by means of a fuzzy inference calculation using electrical cycle profiles selected to correspond to the anticipated electrical load profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth A. W. Marcelle, Kenneth H. Chiang, Paul K. Houpt, Piero P. Bonissone, Joseph Weiss
  • Patent number: 5433079
    Abstract: A method for automated control of a steam turbine prewarming procedure employs fuzzy logic to generate a control signal for a turbine regulatory function, such as steam supply. The method includes the steps of determining a plurality of turbine condition parameter signals; generating a plurality of regulatory control directions; generating a weighting factor to be assigned to each of said regulatory control directions by means of a fuzzy inference calculation in accordance with an operator-selected fuzzy logic profile, and applying the weighting factors to the regulatory control directions to produce the turbine regulatory function control signal. The turbine regulatory function control signal is applied to a respective function controller in the steam plant such that the selected turbine prewarming profile is implemented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Vivek V. Badami, Kenneth H.-C. Chiang, Paul K. Houpt, James B. Comly, Bernd A. K. Westphal