Patents by Inventor Robert Waldo Ralph

Robert Waldo Ralph 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).

  • Method and apparatus for monitoring wheel/brake performance
    Patent number: 6823242
    Abstract: A sliding wheel detector apparatus automatically detects a sliding wheel condition of a wheel of a passing train. The apparatus includes means for parsing the cars (and trucks thereof) and segregating the same into brake valve groupings. The apparatus also includes means for determining a ratio between a wheel being evaluated and the rest of the wheels in a brake valve group. A sliding wheel will be much cooler than a properly braking wheel, and a ratio threshold is selected to detect this difference in temperature and produce an alarm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Norfolk Southern Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Waldo Ralph