Patents by Inventor Robert J. DeGroot

Robert J. DeGroot 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: 11649744
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, an apparatus comprises an air pump configured to couple to a capstan, and a pneumatic cylinder coupled to the air pump at a first end of the pneumatic cylinder. The pneumatic cylinder comprises a piston. Rotation of the capstan in a first rotational direction causes the air pump to provide air pressure to the first end of the pneumatic cylinder. In response to the air pump providing air pressure to the first end of the pneumatic cylinder, the piston of the pneumatic cylinder moves in a first linear direction. The piston is coupled to a longitudinal beam of a longitudinal door system of a railcar. In response to the piston moving in the first linear direction, the longitudinal beam moves in the first linear direction, opening a door of the longitudinal door system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: TRINITY RAIL GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. DeGroot, Kenneth W. Huck
  • Patent number: 11608091
    Abstract: A method comprises removing a first deck of a plurality of decks and a second deck of the plurality of decks from an autorack. The method further comprises removing one or more of a plurality of posts of the autorack and coupling a cross-brace assembly to one or more of the plurality of posts, wherein the cross-brace assembly is coupled to the one or more of the plurality of posts at a location above an existing brace bay of the autorack. The method also comprises coupling the second deck of the plurality of decks to the autorack at a location above or below the cross-brace assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: TRINITY RAIL GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: Kyle R. Coston, David W. Higginbotham, Robert J. DeGroot
  • Publication number: 20220177012
    Abstract: A method comprises removing a first deck of a plurality of decks and a second deck of the plurality of decks from an autorack. The method further comprises removing one or more of a plurality of posts of the autorack and coupling a cross-brace assembly to one or more of the plurality of posts, wherein the cross-brace assembly is coupled to the one or more of the plurality of posts at a location above an existing brace bay of the autorack. The method also comprises coupling the second deck of the plurality of decks to the autorack at a location above or below the cross-brace assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2022
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventors: Kyle R. Coston, David W. Higginbotham, Robert J. DeGroot
  • Patent number: 11318966
    Abstract: A method comprises removing a first deck of a plurality of decks and a second deck of the plurality of decks from an autorack. The method further comprises removing one or more of a plurality of posts of the autorack and coupling a cross-brace assembly to one or more of the plurality of posts, wherein the cross-brace assembly is coupled to the one or more of the plurality of posts at a location above an existing brace bay of the autorack. The method also comprises coupling the second deck of the plurality of decks to the autorack at a location above or below the cross-brace assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: TRINITY RAIL GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: Kyle R. Coston, Gary V. Turner, David W. Higginbotham, Robert J. DeGroot
  • Patent number: 11305789
    Abstract: A method comprises removing a first deck of a plurality of decks and a second deck of the plurality of decks from an autorack. The method further comprises removing one or more of a plurality of posts of the autorack and coupling a cross-brace assembly to one or more of the plurality of posts, wherein the cross-brace assembly is coupled to the one or more of the plurality of posts at a location above an existing brace bay of the autorack. The method also comprises coupling the second deck of the plurality of decks to the autorack at a location above or below the cross-brace assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: TRINITY RAIL GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: Kyle R. Coston, David W. Higginbotham, Robert J. DeGroot
  • Publication number: 20210253142
    Abstract: A method comprises removing a first deck of a plurality of decks and a second deck of the plurality of decks from an autorack. The method further comprises removing one or more of a plurality of posts of the autorack and coupling a cross-brace assembly to one or more of the plurality of posts, wherein the cross-brace assembly is coupled to the one or more of the plurality of posts at a location above an existing brace bay of the autorack. The method also comprises coupling the second deck of the plurality of decks to the autorack at a location above or below the cross-brace assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventors: Kyle R. Coston, Gary V. Turner, David W. Higginbotham, Robert J. DeGroot
  • Patent number: 11014582
    Abstract: A method comprises removing a first deck of a plurality of decks and a second deck of the plurality of decks from an autorack. The method further comprises removing one or more of a plurality of posts of the autorack and coupling a cross-brace assembly to one or more of the plurality of posts, wherein the cross-brace assembly is coupled to the one or more of the plurality of posts at a location above an existing brace bay of the autorack. The method also comprises coupling the second deck of the plurality of decks to the autorack at a location above or below the cross-brace assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: TRINITY RAIL GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: Kyle R. Coston, Gary V. Turner, David W. Higginbotham, Robert J. DeGroot
  • Publication number: 20210123362
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, an apparatus comprises an air pump configured to couple to a capstan, and a pneumatic cylinder coupled to the air pump at a first end of the pneumatic cylinder. The pneumatic cylinder comprises a piston. Rotation of the capstan in a first rotational direction causes the air pump to provide air pressure to the first end of the pneumatic cylinder. In response to the air pump providing air pressure to the first end of the pneumatic cylinder, the piston of the pneumatic cylinder moves in a first linear direction. The piston is coupled to a longitudinal beam of a longitudinal door system of a railcar. In response to the piston moving in the first linear direction, the longitudinal beam moves in the first linear direction, opening a door of the longitudinal door system..
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Inventors: Robert J. DeGroot, Kenneth W. Huck
  • Publication number: 20200198665
    Abstract: A method comprises removing a first deck of a plurality of decks and a second deck of the plurality of decks from an autorack. The method further comprises removing one or more of a plurality of posts of the autorack and coupling a cross-brace assembly to one or more of the plurality of posts, wherein the cross-brace assembly is coupled to the one or more of the plurality of posts at a location above an existing brace bay of the autorack. The method also comprises coupling the second deck of the plurality of decks to the autorack at a location above or below the cross-brace assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventors: Kyle R. Coston, David W. Higginbotham, Robert J. DeGroot
  • Publication number: 20200198664
    Abstract: A method comprises removing a first deck of a plurality of decks and a second deck of the plurality of decks from an autorack. The method further comprises removing one or more of a plurality of posts of the autorack and coupling a cross-brace assembly to one or more of the plurality of posts, wherein the cross-brace assembly is coupled to the one or more of the plurality of posts at a location above an existing brace bay of the autorack. The method also comprises coupling the second deck of the plurality of decks to the autorack at a location above or below the cross-brace assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventors: Kyle R. Coston, David W. Higginbotham, Robert J. DeGroot
  • Patent number: 10576998
    Abstract: A method comprises removing a first deck of a plurality of decks and a second deck of the plurality of decks from an autorack. The method further comprises removing one or more of a plurality of posts of the autorack and coupling a cross-brace assembly to one or more of the plurality of posts, wherein the cross-brace assembly is coupled to the one or more of the plurality of posts at a location above an existing brace bay of the autorack. The method also comprises coupling the second deck of the plurality of decks to the autorack at a location above or below the cross-brace assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Trinity Rail Group, LLC
    Inventors: Kyle R. Coston, David W. Higginbotham, Robert J. DeGroot
  • Publication number: 20190144009
    Abstract: A method comprises removing a first deck of a plurality of decks and a second deck of the plurality of decks from an autorack. The method further comprises removing one or more of a plurality of posts of the autorack and coupling a cross-brace assembly to one or more of the plurality of posts, wherein the cross-brace assembly is coupled to the one or more of the plurality of posts at a location above an existing brace bay of the autorack. The method also comprises coupling the second deck of the plurality of decks to the autorack at a location above or below the cross-brace assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Kyle R. Coston, David W. Higginbotham, Robert J. DeGroot
  • Publication number: 20190144010
    Abstract: A method comprises removing a first deck of a plurality of decks and a second deck of the plurality of decks from an autorack. The method further comprises removing one or more of a plurality of posts of the autorack and coupling a cross-brace assembly to one or more of the plurality of posts, wherein the cross-brace assembly is coupled to the one or more of the plurality of posts at a location above an existing brace bay of the autorack. The method also comprises coupling the second deck of the plurality of decks to the autorack at a location above or below the cross-brace assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Kyle R. Coston, Gary V, Turner, David W. Higginbotham, Robert J. DeGroot
  • Publication number: 20140338875
    Abstract: A heat exchanger (10) is provided and in a highly preferred form is an EGR cooler (52) having first and second passes (56A,56B) that are connected to an inlet/outlet manifold (70) by a pair of corresponding thermal expansion joints (87,93) to allow differential thermal expansion between the various structural components of the heat exchanger (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Robert J. Barfknecht, Biao Yu, LeRoy Goines, Robert J. DeGroot, Peter C. Kottal, Steven P. Meshenky, Dan R. Raduenz
  • Patent number: 8794299
    Abstract: A heat exchanger (10) is provided and in a highly preferred form is an EGR cooler (52) having first and second passes (56A,56B) that are connected to an inlet/outlet manifold (70) by a pair of corresponding thermal expansion joints (87,93) to allow differential thermal expansion between the various structural components of the heat exchanger (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Modine Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Robert J. Barfknecht, Biao Yu, LeRoy Goines, Robert J. DeGroot, Peter C. Kottal, Steven P. Meshenky, Dan R. Raduenz
  • Patent number: 7441620
    Abstract: A heat exchanger and mount isolation system (10) is provided and includes a heat exchanger (12) for a vehicular application, a pair of side frame members (14,16) for mounting the heat exchanger (12) to a vehicle, and four pairs (18) of isolation mount assemblies (19) for mounting the heat exchanger (12) to the side frame members (14,16). The mount assemblies (19) are received in mounting bores (30) that are integral parts of the heat exchanger (12). Each of the pair 18 of mount assemblies (19) is inserted into the opposite ends (32,34) of a corresponding one of the mount bores (30) and includes a pair of abutting metal sleeves (42) that are mounted in respective annular flanged isolators (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Modine Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Martin J. Riniker, Craig D. Endres, Gregg D. Olson, James R. Prochniak, Robert J. DeGroot
  • Publication number: 20080202739
    Abstract: A heat exchanger (10) is provided and in a highly preferred form is an EGR cooler (52) having first and second passes (56A,56B) that are connected to an inlet/outlet manifold (70) by a pair of corresponding thermal expansion joints (87,93) to allow differential thermal expansion between the various structural components of the heat exchanger (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Robert J. Barfknecht, Biao Yu, LeRoy Goines, Robert J. DeGroot, Peter C. Kottal
  • Patent number: 7413006
    Abstract: A header plate (20) is provided for receiving the flattened tubes (14) of a heat exchanger. The header plate (20) includes a plurality of tube receiving openings (26), with each of the openings being surrounded by a flange or collar (28) that extends from a base wall (24) of the header plate (20) towards the heat exchanger core (12) to surround the exterior cross section of the associated tube (14). Each of the flanges (28) is shaped to conform to the exterior of the associated tube (14), and a blend radius R is provided at the interface between the base wall (24) and the flange (28). The blend radius R has a size that increases from a radius R1 central to the length of a long side wall (30) of the flange (28) to a radius R2 central to the length of a short side wall (32) of the flange (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Modine Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Robert J. DeGroot, Daniel R. DeRosia, Gregory M. DaPra
  • Publication number: 20070272460
    Abstract: A heat exchanger and mount isolation system (10) is provided and includes a heat exchanger (12) for a vehicular application, a pair of side frame members (14,16) for mounting the heat exchanger (12) to a vehicle, and four pairs (18) of isolation mount assemblies (19) for mounting the heat exchanger (12) to the side frame members (14,16). The mount assemblies (19) are received in mounting bores (30) that are integral parts of the heat exchanger (12). Each of the pair 18 of mount assemblies (19) is inserted into the opposite ends (32,34) of a corresponding one of the mount bores (30) and includes a pair of abutting metal sleeves (42) that are mounted in respective annular flanged isolators (40).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Inventors: Martin J. Riniker, Craig D. Endres, Gregg D. Olson, James R. Prochniak, Robert J. DeGroot
  • Publication number: 20070004344
    Abstract: Wireless communication systems (100, 800) comprise mobile units (118, 802) provided with a directional coupler (206) and circuit (220) for measuring the complex reflectance (phase and magnitude) of antenna (202) of the mobile units (118, 802). The system (100, 800) has, either in the mobile unit (118, 802) or elsewhere, a processor (238, 808) programmed to perform pattern recognition of the near field environments of the mobile units (118, 802) by using the complex reflectance measurements as feature vectors. Information as to the near field environment at the time of wireless connection drops is suitably accumulated and is used in network upgrade planning and/or mobile unit design evaluation. The complex reflectance is alternatively used to discriminate antenna faults. Alternatively, near field environments that tend to degrade wireless communication performance are detected by the mobile unit using the complex reflectance and the mobile unit then alerts the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Inventors: Robert J. DeGroot, Nicholas E. Buris