Patents by Inventor Robert B. Foster

Robert B. Foster 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: 7874255
    Abstract: An improved sleeve bearing for locomotive traction motor that provides additional lubrication over and above that of the one central wick currently used. The sleeve bearing is provided with a recirculation system comprised of either at least two additional wicks located near the 6:00 operating location or multiple oil communication and delivery grooves passageways communicating with the oil flinger grooves placed for the purpose of collecting and providing a mechanism for providing additional lubrication for extending the oil-wetted envelope available for supporting the truck-axle journal in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Magnus Div. of L.V. Ventures, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert B. Foster, Paul Bien, John E. Macklin
  • Patent number: 7857101
    Abstract: An improved wick-holder for mounting a felt lubricating wick of a lubricating system for lubricating the axle journal surface supported in a support bearing of a traction motor used in a locomotive is provided with a plurality of oil-reservoir louver pockets or splash-cups molded or pressed into the wick holder which store oil from the time that the oil reservoir was full or near its maximum height and which store splashed oil during normal operational use, and delay the run off of the oil to increase the oil saturation of the wick housed within the wick holder. The oil reservoir pockets are located above the minimum serviceable oil level, and are designed to improve and increase oil saturation of the wick. As a result of the increased oil saturation, the wick are, therefore, capable of delivering increased amounts of oil to the axle journal area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Magnus Div. of L. V. Ventures, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Macklin, Robert B. Foster, Paul Bien
  • Patent number: 7802656
    Abstract: An improved wick-holder for mounting a felt lubricating wick is provided with a passive inertia-activated pump mounted for submersion in the axle-cap lubricant-reservoir at a level that ensures that for all levels of the reservoir, the pump inlet is submerged in the lubricant of the reservoir. In a first embodiment, the passive inertia-activated pump takes the form of a piston-type pump, while in a second embodiment, the passive inertia-activated pump takes the form of a diaphragm pump. In either embodiment, the inlet of the passive inertia-activated pump is submersed in the lubricant-reservoir, and the output of the passive inertia-activated pump is directed to the surface-interface between the felt wick and the axle journal surface-area to increase the lubrication thereof over and above that which normally ensues owing to the conventional capillary action of the felt wick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Magnus Division of LV Ventures, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Macklin, Robert B. Foster, Paul Bien
  • Publication number: 20100002969
    Abstract: An improved sleeve bearing for locomotive traction motor that provides additional lubrication over and above that of the one central wick currently used. The sleeve bearing is provided with a recirculation system comprised of either at least two additional wicks located near the 6:00 operating location or multiple oil communication and delivery grooves passageways communicating with the oil flinger grooves placed for the purpose of collecting and providing a mechanism for providing additional lubrication for extending the oil-wetted envelope available for supporting the truck-axle journal in the axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Inventors: Robert B. Foster, Paul Bien, John E. Macklin
  • Patent number: 7603955
    Abstract: An improved sleeve bearing for locomotive traction motor that provides additional lubrication over and above that of the one central wick currently used. The sleeve bearing is provided with a recirculation system comprised of either at least two additional wicks located near the 6:00 operating location or multiple oil communication and delivery grooves passageways communicating with the oil flinger grooves placed for the purpose of collecting and providing a mechanism for providing additional lubrication for extending the oil-wetted envelope available for supporting the truck-axle journal in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Magnus Div. of L.V. Ventures, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert B. Foster, Paul Bien, John E. Macklin
  • Patent number: 7308856
    Abstract: An improved sleeve bearing for locomotive traction motor that provides additional lubrication over and above that of the one central wick currently used. The sleeve bearing is provided with a recirculation system comprised of either at least two additional wicks located near the 6:00 operating location or multiple oil communication and delivery grooves passageways communicating with the oil flinger grooves placed for the purpose of collecting and providing a mechanism for providing additional lubrication for extending the oil-wetted envelope available for supporting the truck-axle journal in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Magnus Div. of LV Ventures, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert B. Foster, Paul Bien, John E. Macklin
  • Patent number: 7242907
    Abstract: The present invention relates to communication systems and methods and more particularly to a system and method for optimizing the bandwidth of a point to multipoint wireless system by synchronizing transmit and receive modes of various hubs and sectors. The inventive method and system provides an optimal guard time between transmit and receive modes. Moreover, the inventive system and method utilizes a control channel located in a guard space associated with a data channel to provide synchronization telemetry to facilitate dynamically variable transmit and receive modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: G. Jack Garrison, Robert B. Foster, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7178463
    Abstract: A contour or profile of a bore of a locomotive traction-motor support bearing structure, where such profile preserves the currently center-loading of the upper load zone but moves inboardly the lower load zone to a more general central location. The profile of the bore for the support bearing, according to the invention, takes into account not only truck-axle bending due to locomotive weight, but also that from motor tilt through bearing clearances, and couple action on the axle from heavy radial loads on PE support bearing and adjacent axle gear. The bore is configured such that the upper surface is horizontal, but the lower surface slopes downwardly in the outboard direction at an angle based on a function dependent upon the three misalignment factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Magnus Division of LV Ventures, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Bien, Robert B. Foster, John E. Macklin
  • Patent number: 7055439
    Abstract: A contour or profile of a bore of a locomotive traction-motor support bearing structure, where such profile preserves the currently center-loading of the upper load zone but moves inboardly the lower load zone to a more general central location. The profile of the bore for the support bearing, according to the invention, takes into account not only truck-axle bending due to locomotive weight, but also that from motor tilt through bearing clearances, and couple action on the axle from heavy radial loads on PE support bearing and adjacent axle gear. The bore is configured such that the upper surface is horizontal, but the lower surface slopes downwardly in the outboard direction at an angle based on a function dependent upon the three misalignment factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Magnus Division of LV Ventures, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Bien, Robert B. Foster, John E. Macklin
  • Patent number: 7054289
    Abstract: A system and method for information communication between physically separated processor-based systems. Disclosed is a centralized communication array providing point to multipoint information communication between processor-based systems utilizing 5 communication nodes. Such information communication may be between two processor-based systems, each utilizing communication nodes or may be between a processor-based system utilizing a communication node and a processor-based system coupled to the centralized communication array through a backbone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Harris Broadband Wireless Access, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert B. Foster, Jr., Charles R. Baugh, David C. Schafer
  • Patent number: 6778516
    Abstract: A system and method for information communication between physically separated processor-based systems. Disclosed is a centralized communication array providing point to multipoint information communication between processor-based systems utilizing communication nodes. Such information communication may be between two processor-based systems, each utilizing communication nodes or may be between a processor-based system utilizing a communication node and a processor-based system coupled to the centralized communication array through a backbone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Harris Broadband Wireless Access, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert B. Foster, Jr., Charles R. Baugh, David C. Schafer
  • Patent number: 6748240
    Abstract: A system and method for information communication between physically separated processor-based systems. Disclosed is a centralized communication array providing point to multipoint information communication between processor-based systems utilizing communication nodes. Such information communication may be between two processor-based systems, each utilizing communication nodes or may be between a processor-based system utilizing a communication node and a processor-based system coupled to the centralized communication array through a backbone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Harris Broadband Wireless Access, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert B. Foster, Jr., Charles R. Baugh, David C. Schafer
  • Patent number: 6735452
    Abstract: A system and method for information communication between physically separated processor-based systems. Disclosed is a centralized communication array providing point to multipoint information communication between processor-based systems utilizing communication nodes. Such information communication may be between two processor-based systems, each utilizing communication nodes or may be between a processor-based system utilizing a communication node and a processor-based system coupled to the centralized communication array through a backbone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Harris Broadband Wireless Access, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert B. Foster, Jr., Charles R. Baugh, David C. Schafer
  • Publication number: 20040053620
    Abstract: The present invention relates to communication systems and methods and more particularly to a system and method for optimizing the bandwidth of a point to multipoint wireless system by synchronizing transmit and receive modes of various hubs and sectors. The inventive method and system provides an optimal guard time between transmit and receive modes. Moreover, the inventive system and method utilizes a control channel located in a guard space associated with a data channel to provide synchronization telemetry to facilitate dynamically variable transmit and receive modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: G. Jack Garrison, Robert B. Foster Jr
  • Patent number: 6643277
    Abstract: The inventive cellular reuse plan uses a tessellating grouping of cells to form a pattern, which is then repeated to form a larger cell cluster. The mosaic pattern uses several different cell types. Each cell type preferably comprises a different set of channel assignments. The channels are preferably provided additional orthogonality, such as through the use of polarization, where channel assignments within a cell are grouped to provide adjacent sectors, as a block, with primary communication links using commonly polarized channels. The different cell types are then arranged in the mosaic pattern. Each particular cell in the pattern has adjoining cells that are of a different type than the particular cell. The most preferred embodiment cell pattern does not utilize all available channels to thereby provide reserve channels for use in providing redundant links and/or added capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Harris Broadband Wireless Access, Inc.
    Inventors: G. Jack Garrison, Robert B. Foster, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6597668
    Abstract: Systems and methods for efficiently utilizing spectrum in a time division duplex system are shown. In the preferred embodiment fractions of a time division duplex frame are asymmetrically adjusted as forward and reverse channels according to communication demands/requests. Particular groups of resources for which independent asynchronous operation would result in undesired consequences are preferably operated in lockstep to thereby avoid the undesired consequences. Accordingly, a most preferred embodiment of the present invention provides for lockstep asymmetric adaptive time division duplexing among multiple carriers of a hub and multiple node wireless communication system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Harris Broadband Wireless Access, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Schafer, Robert B. Foster, M. Sue McMeekin
  • Publication number: 20030002513
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods wherein communication link redundancy may be provided which is optimized to the primary links. Specifically, a redundant link portion of a communication system may be deployed to provide redundant links for a primary link portion of the communication system having substantially greater information communication capacity. However, through the use of isolation of portions of the primary link capacity, such as through the preferred embodiment sectors, sufficient redundant link capacity may be maintained economically. According to a preferred embodiment, a single redundant sector may be coextensive with a plurality of primary sectors and, thus, be relied upon for providing redundant links for any such primary sector. Preferred embodiments allow for the subsectoring of primary sectors while maintaining the configuration of a redundant sector corresponding thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Henrik F. Bernheim, Robert B. Foster
  • Publication number: 20020159405
    Abstract: The inventive cellular reuse plan uses a tessellating grouping of cells to form a pattern, which is then repeated to form a larger cell cluster. The mosaic pattern uses several different cell types. Each cell type preferably comprises a different set of channel assignments. The channels are preferably provided additional orthogonality, such as through the use of polarization, where channel assignments within a cell are grouped to provide adjacent sectors, as a block, with primary communication links using commonly polarized channels. The different cell types are then arranged in the mosaic pattern. Each particular cell in the pattern has adjoining cells that are of a different type than the particular cell. The most preferred embodiment cell pattern does not utilize all available channels to thereby provide reserve channels for use in providing redundant links and/or added capacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: G. Jack Garrison, Robert B. Foster
  • Patent number: 6016313
    Abstract: A system and method for information communication between physically separated processor-based systems. Disclosed is a centralized communication array providing point to multipoint information communication between processor-based systems utilizing communication nodes. Such information communication may be between two processor-based systems, each utilizing communication nodes or may be between a processor-based system utilizing a communication node and a processor-based system coupled to the centralized communication array through a backbone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: WAVTrace, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert B. Foster, Jr., Charles R. Baugh, David C. Schafer
  • Patent number: 5590410
    Abstract: A communications system includes at least two communications units, each communication unit including a transmitter capable of transmitting to the other unit on one or more frequencies, under the control of a mode control unit and wherein acquisition or a locking of frequencies of the two communications units and timing signal recovery is achieved by transmitting signals on a group of predetermined frequencies, the transmission on each frequency being for a predetermined time frame in a sequence which is repeated after n+1 time frames, wherein n is the number of different frequencies to be transmitted by the originating communications unit, and the receiving unit including a receiver operating on one of the predetermined frequencies for n+1 time frames until the receiving unit receives a signal from the originating unit and transmits an acknowledgment signal to the originating unit thus locking the two units on one of the predetermined frequencies such that information, transmission and reception can proceed
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: American Wireless Corporation
    Inventors: Brian M. Deutsch, Robert B. Foster, Jr.