Patents by Inventor Robert Foy
Robert Foy 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).
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Patent number: 10220864Abstract: A method and system for identifying cargo-carrying vehicles (CCV) to be included in a vehicle system that are non-propulsion-generating vehicles scheduled to depart from a vehicle yard and travel to one or more destination locations at a predetermined departure time. Further includes, calculating a minimum tractive effort threshold required by one or more propulsion-generating vehicles (PGV) to propel the vehicle system to the one or more destination locations along a route within a predetermined time period. And selecting a set of one or more PGV from a larger group of PGV within the vehicle yard to be included in the vehicle system. The set of one or more PGV produce a tractive effort of at least the minimum tractive effort threshold, and having at least one of a lower fuel consumption or lower emissions than selecting one or more of the remaining PGV from the larger group of PGV, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2016Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jared Cooper, Samuel Golden, Robert Foy, David Peltz
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Publication number: 20160214632Abstract: A method and system for identifying cargo-carrying vehicles (CCV) to be included in a vehicle system that are non-propulsion-generating vehicles scheduled to depart from a vehicle yard and travel to one or more destination locations at a predetermined departure time. Further includes, calculating a minimum tractive effort threshold required by one or more propulsion-generating vehicles (PGV) to propel the vehicle system to the one or more destination locations along a route within a predetermined time period. And selecting a set of one or more PGV from a larger group of PGV within the vehicle yard to be included in the vehicle system. The set of one or more PGV produce a tractive effort of at least the minimum tractive effort threshold, and having at least one of a lower fuel consumption or lower emissions than selecting one or more of the remaining PGV from the larger group of PGV, respectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2016Publication date: July 28, 2016Inventors: Jared COOPER, Samuel GOLDEN, Robert FOY, David PELTZ
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Patent number: 9327741Abstract: A method and system for identifying cargo-carrying vehicles (CCV) to be included in a vehicle system that are non-propulsion-generating vehicles scheduled to depart from a vehicle yard and travel to one or more destination locations at a predetermined departure time. Further includes, calculating a minimum tractive effort threshold required by one or more propulsion-generating vehicles (PGV) to propel the vehicle system to the one or more destination locations along a route within a predetermined time period. And selecting a set of one or more PGV from a larger group of PGV within the vehicle yard to be included in the vehicle system. The set of one or more PGV produce a tractive effort of at least the minimum tractive effort threshold, and having at least one of a lower fuel consumption or lower emissions than selecting one or more of the remaining PGV from the larger group of PGV, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2014Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Samuel Golden, Jared Cooper, Robert Foy, David Peltz
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Publication number: 20150274184Abstract: A method and system for identifying cargo-carrying vehicles (CCV) to be included in a vehicle system that are non-propulsion-generating vehicles scheduled to depart from a vehicle yard and travel to one or more destination locations at a predetermined departure time. Further includes, calculating a minimum tractive effort threshold required by one or more propulsion-generating vehicles (PGV) to propel the vehicle system to the one or more destination locations along a route within a predetermined time period. And selecting a set of one or more PGV from a larger group of PGV within the vehicle yard to be included in the vehicle system. The set of one or more PGV produce a tractive effort of at least the minimum tractive effort threshold, and having at least one of a lower fuel consumption or lower emissions than selecting one or more of the remaining PGV from the larger group of PGV, respectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2014Publication date: October 1, 2015Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Samuel GOLDEN, Jared COOPER, Robert FOY, David PELTZ
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Patent number: 8843419Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a locomotive (or other rail vehicle) owned by a first entity when borrowed and operated by a second entity. The locomotive includes an operating control system having a first mode and a second, different mode of operation, the first mode including settings configured for the first entity, the second mode including settings configured for a second, different entity. The method includes enabling the first mode and disabling the second mode of the operating control system when the locomotive is operated by the first entity, and enabling the second mode and disabling the first mode of the operating control system when the locomotive is operated by the second entity.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2010Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jared Klineman Cooper, David Eldredge, Robert Foy, Glenn Shaffer, John Brand, Todd William Goodermuth, Christopher Rekucki
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Patent number: 8655515Abstract: A communication system for a rail vehicle consist includes antenna modules, routing modules, and an arbitration module. The antenna modules are disposed at spaced apart locations along the consist and receive network data from an off-board device. The routing modules are communicatively coupled with the antenna modules and receive the network data from the antenna modules. The routing modules are communicatively coupled with a network connection extending along the rail vehicle consist. The arbitration module is communicatively coupled with the network connection. The arbitration module forms a message represented by the network data. One or more of the routing modules transmits the network data received from the off-board device to the arbitration module over the network connection. The arbitration module receives the network data to form the message and transmits the message to one or more powered units of the rail vehicle consist through the network connection.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2010Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Joseph Forrest Noffsinger, Robert Foy, Brian McManus, Stephen Smith, John Brand, Jared Klineman Cooper, Kevin Kapp, Kaitlyn Hrdlicka
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Patent number: 8655516Abstract: A communication system for a rail vehicle consist includes antenna modules, routing modules, and an arbitration module. The antenna modules are disposed at spaced apart locations and receive a trip profile from an off-board device. The trip profile is related to tractive and/or braking effort supplied by one or more powered units of the rail vehicle consist. The routing modules are disposed on the powered units and are communicatively coupled with the antenna modules. The routing modules are communicatively coupled with a network connection extending along the rail vehicle consist between the powered units. The arbitration module is communicatively coupled with the routing modules by the network connection. The routing modules transmit the received trip profile to the arbitration module. The arbitration module reconstitutes the trip profile into a message that is transmitted to a propulsion subsystem of one or more of the powered units.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2010Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Joseph Forrest Noffsinger, Robert Foy, Brian McManus, Stephen Smith, John Brand, Jared Klineman Cooper, Kevin Kapp, Kaitlyn Hrdlicka
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Patent number: 8538608Abstract: A control system for a rail vehicle system including a lead powered unit and a remote powered unit is provided. The system includes a user interface, a master isolation module and a slave controller. The user interface is disposed in the lead powered unit and is configured to receive an isolation command to turn on or off the remote powered unit. The master isolation module is configured to receive the isolation command from the user interface and to communicate an instruction based on the isolation command. The slave controller is configured to receive the instruction from the master isolation module. The slave controller causes the remote powered unit to supply tractive force to propel the rail vehicle system when the instruction directs the slave controller to turn on the remote powered unit. The slave controller causes the remote powered unit to withhold the tractive force when the instruction directs the slave controller to turn off the remote powered unit.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2009Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Mikhail Meltser, Timothy Medema, John Brand, Jared Klineman Cooper, Todd Goodermuth, David Allen Eldredge, Robert Foy, Christopher McNally, Joseph Forrest Noffsinger, David McKay, Patricia Lacy, Kristopher Smith
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Patent number: 8532842Abstract: Systems and methods for remotely controlling a rail vehicle are provided. In one embodiment, a remote operator control system includes a communication link to send and receive rail vehicle information, an operator interface, and a controller. The controller is configured to send, through the communication link, a request to establish communication with a positive train control system on-board a selected rail vehicle based on an operating condition. In response to receiving confirmation of communication with the positive train control system, the control is configured to receive positive train control information for the selected rail vehicle through the communication link, and display the positive train control information for the selected rail vehicle on the operator interface.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2010Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kristopher Smith, Todd William Goodermuth, Brian Schroeck, Robert Bremmer, Robert Foy
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Publication number: 20120136514Abstract: A communication system for a rail vehicle consist includes antenna modules, routing modules, and an arbitration module. The antenna modules are disposed at spaced apart locations along the consist and receive network data from an off-board device. The routing modules are communicatively coupled with the antenna modules and receive the network data from the antenna modules. The routing modules are communicatively coupled with a network connection extending along the rail vehicle consist. The arbitration module is communicatively coupled with the network connection. The arbitration module forms a message represented by the network data. One or more of the routing modules transmits the network data received from the off-board device to the arbitration module over the network connection. The arbitration module receives the network data to form the message and transmits the message to one or more powered units of the rail vehicle consist through the network connection.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2010Publication date: May 31, 2012Inventors: Joseph Forrest Noffsinger, Robert Foy, Brian McManus, Stephen Smith, John Brand, Jared Klineman Cooper, Kevin Kapp, Kaitlyn Hrdlicka
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Publication number: 20120136515Abstract: A communication system for a rail vehicle consist includes antenna modules, routing modules, and an arbitration module. The antenna modules are disposed at spaced apart locations and receive a trip profile from an off-board device. The trip profile is related to tractive and/or braking effort supplied by one or more powered units of the rail vehicle consist. The routing modules are disposed on the powered units and are communicatively coupled with the antenna modules. The routing modules are communicatively coupled with a network connection extending along the rail vehicle consist between the powered units. The arbitration module is communicatively coupled with the routing modules by the network connection. The routing modules transmit the received trip profile to the arbitration module. The arbitration module reconstitutes the trip profile into a message that is transmitted to a propulsion subsystem of one or more of the powered units.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2010Publication date: May 31, 2012Inventors: Joseph Forrest Noffsinger, Robert Foy, Brian McManus, Stephen Smith, John Brand, Jared Klineman Cooper, Kevin Kapp, Kaitlyn Hrdlicka
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Publication number: 20120130568Abstract: A data communication system for a rail vehicle consist includes a data reading device and a processing module. The data reading device is disposed on the consist and is configured to interrogate and read data from a tangible and non-transitory medium that is spaced apart from the data reading device. The processing module is disposed on the rail vehicle consist and is communicatively coupled with the data reading device. The processing module receives the data from the data reading device and uses the data in connection with one or more operations of the rail vehicle consist. A method for communicating data with a rail vehicle consist includes interrogating and reading data from a tangible and non-transitory medium using an electronic reading device while the medium is spaced apart from the reading device and using the data in connection with one or more operations of the rail vehicle consist based on the data.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2011Publication date: May 24, 2012Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Samuel GOLDEN, David Eldredge, Robert Foy, Stephen Smith, John William Brand, Kevin Kapp
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Publication number: 20120130562Abstract: A data communication system for a rail vehicle includes a data reading device and a processing module. The data reading device is disposed on the rail vehicle and is configured to at least one of electromagnetically interrogate or optically read identification data that is visually presented on a first operator control unit. The first operator control unit is configured to remotely control operations of one or more powered units of a rail vehicle consist when the operator control unit is disposed outside of the one or more powered units. The processing module is disposed on the rail vehicle and is communicatively coupled with the data reading device. The processing module receives the identification data from the data reading device and uses the identification data to identify the first operator control unit and allow the first operator control unit to remotely control operations of the one or more powered units.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2011Publication date: May 24, 2012Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: John William Brand, David Teeter, Robert Foy, Jared Cooper, Frank Wawrzyniak, Samuel Golden
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Publication number: 20120126065Abstract: Systems and methods for remotely controlling a rail vehicle are provided. In one embodiment, a remote operator control system includes a communication link to send and receive rail vehicle information, an operator interface, and a controller. The controller is configured to send, through the communication link, a request to establish communication with a positive train control system on-board a selected rail vehicle based on an operating condition. In response to receiving confirmation of communication with the positive train control system, the control is configured to receive positive train control information for the selected rail vehicle through the communication link, and display the positive train control information for the selected rail vehicle on the operator interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2010Publication date: May 24, 2012Inventors: Kristopher SMITH, Todd William Goodermuth, Brian Schroeck, Robert Bremmer, Robert Foy
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Publication number: 20120089537Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a locomotive (or other rail vehicle) owned by a first entity when borrowed and operated by a second entity. The locomotive includes an operating control system having a first mode and a second, different mode of operation, the first mode including settings configured for the first entity, the second mode including settings configured for a second, different entity. The method includes enabling the first mode and disabling the second mode of the operating control system when the locomotive is operated by the first entity, and enabling the second mode and disabling the first mode of the operating control system when the locomotive is operated by the second entity.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2010Publication date: April 12, 2012Inventors: Jared Klineman Cooper, David Eldredge, Robert Foy, Glenn Shaffer, John Brand, Todd William Goodermuth, Christopher Rekuchi
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Publication number: 20110060486Abstract: A control system for a rail vehicle system including a lead powered unit and a remote powered unit is provided. The system includes a user interface, a master isolation module and a slave controller. The user interface is disposed in the lead powered unit and is configured to receive an isolation command to turn on or off the remote powered unit. The master isolation module is configured to receive the isolation command from the user interface and to communicate an instruction based on the isolation command. The slave controller is configured to receive the instruction from the master isolation module. The slave controller causes the remote powered unit to supply tractive force to propel the rail vehicle system when the instruction directs the slave controller to turn on the remote powered unit. The slave controller causes the remote powered unit to withhold the tractive force when the instruction directs the slave controller to turn off the remote powered unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2009Publication date: March 10, 2011Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRONICS CORPORATIONInventors: MIKHAIL MELTSER, TIMOTHY MEDEMA, JOHN BRAND, JARED KLINEMAN COOPER, TODD GOODERMUTH, DAVID ALLEN ELDREDGE, ROBERT FOY, CHRISTOPHER MCNALLY, JOSEPH FORREST NOFFSINGER, DAVID MCKAY, PATRICIA LACY, KRISTOPHER SMITH
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Publication number: 20050228552Abstract: A communications device is provided for routing a locomotive over a track layout in a train yard. The locomotive is operable over a plurality of alternative track routes to reach a respective destination from a plurality of possible destinations in said track layout. The track layout includes a plurality of switches configured to alter a route for a locomotive running along the track layout. The communications device may include a first user display for use in commanding a desired destination for the locomotive within the track layout by setting the state of the switches along the route to the destination.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2005Publication date: October 13, 2005Inventors: David Kornick, Robert Foy, Eric Moore, John McElroy, Chris Luevano, George Freeman
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Publication number: 20050143874Abstract: Method and communication system for a railroad train having at least one locomotive for automatically adjusting the communication system to provide effective communication of command data to control operation of the locomotive are provided. The system includes a transceiver on the locomotive. The system further includes at least one transceiver remote from the locomotive. A database may be provided for storing data relative to a plurality of communication schemes available to the communication system. A first monitor may be used for sensing a parameter indicative of the quality of the communications between the transceivers when the transceivers are operating under a first one of the available communication schemes and generating data indicative of communications quality.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2005Publication date: June 30, 2005Inventors: David Peltz, Eugene Smith, Mark Kraeling, Robert Foy, Glen Peltonen, Steven Kellner, Robert Bryant, Don Johnson, Dale Delaruelle
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Publication number: 20050137759Abstract: A railway communication system (10) includes a transmitter (12) receiving an input and producing a communication signal (18). The communication signal (18) includes at least two different portions (20,22) for separately encoding respective indications (38,40) of the input. The system also includes a receiver (14) coupled to a controlled device, the receiver (14) extracting at least one of the respective indications (38,40) from the communication signal (18). The receiver controls the device responsive to the at least one extracted indications (38,40).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2004Publication date: June 23, 2005Inventors: David Peltz, Robert Foy, Mark Kraeling, Mark Wheeler, Brian Staton