Patents by Inventor Robert E. Heggestad

Robert E. Heggestad 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: 6459965
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling movement of a plurality of vehicles over a guideway partitioned into a plurality of guideway blocks. The method uses a control system including an onboard computer (OBC) located on board each vehicle, at least one server for communicating with the OBCs, and a vehicle tracking system. The method including the steps of determining a composite block status for all guideway blocks, broadcasting the composite block status to the OBCs, and controlling movement of each vehicle based on the composite block status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: GE-Harris Railway Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Alan L. Polivka, James R. Egnot, Robert E. Heggestad, Jeffrey K. Baker, William L. Matheson
  • Publication number: 20020062181
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling movement of a plurality of vehicles over a guideway partitioned into a plurality of guideway blocks. The method uses a control system including an onboard computer (OBC) located on board each vehicle, at least one server for communicating with the OBCs, and a vehicle tracking system. The method including the steps of determining a composite block status for all guideway blocks, broadcasting the composite block status to the OBCs, and controlling movement of each vehicle based on the composite block status.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Publication date: May 23, 2002
    Inventors: Alan L. Polivka, James R. Egnot, Robert E. Heggestad, Jeffrey K. Baker, William L. Matheson
  • Patent number: 5533695
    Abstract: A train control system employs a series of wayside control units spaced along the track, each of which has responsibility for the control of trains in a corresponding local area and monitors track availability and signal status in its local area. Each wayside unit has a data base in memory that comprises fixed data defining an operational profile of the associated local area, and is provided with a data radio for transmitting profile messages containing the fixed data for that area and authority messages containing the dynamic data bearing track availability and signal status information. A data radio in a receive mode on a train receives the data transmissions from the wayside unit or units responsible for its control, and an on-board computer determines the proper train control instructions from the received data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: Harmon Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Heggestad, Donald B. Schaefer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5452870
    Abstract: A train control-system employs beacon transponders along the track to transmit fixed data to a passing train in addition to dynamic data relating to track availability and routing provided by encoded cab signals transmitted in the track. The fixed data includes the location of block boundaries and distances to such boundaries, timetable speed limits, and the distance to a point along the track at which a speed restriction is in effect. This data and other fixed information is integrated with the dynamic data in an on-board computer which determines train control instructions from the received data and displays the instructions to the train crew. The system is capable of enforcing any restrictive instructions that are not obeyed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: Harmon Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Heggestad
  • Patent number: 5340062
    Abstract: A train control system employs beacon transponders along the track to transmit fixed data to a passing train in addition to dynamic data relating to track availability and routing provided by encoded cab signals transmitted in the track. The fixed data includes the location of block boundaries and distances to such boundaries, timetable speed limits, and the distance to a point along the track at which a speed restriction is in effect. This data and other fixed information is integrated with the dynamic data in an on-board computer which determines train control instructions from the received data and displays the instructions to the train crew. The system is capable of enforcing any restrictive instructions that are not obeyed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: Harmon Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Heggestad