Patents by Inventor Roy C. Fonseca

Roy C. Fonseca 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: 9415781
    Abstract: A diesel-electric locomotive has two separate engine systems, including a large engine system and a small engine system. The power output from the separate engine systems may be combined to power the locomotive's traction motors. When the locomotive requires low power output for propulsion, only the small engine system is used to power the traction motors. When the locomotive requires higher power output, only the large engine system is used to power the traction motors. When the locomotive requires maximum power output, the small and the large engine system may both be used and their power output combined to power the traction motors. Also, a unique control strategy maintains a smooth delivery of power to the traction motors in the event that one engine shuts down or starts as a result of a change in the commanded power output of the locomotive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Progress Rail Services Corporation
    Inventors: W. Jack Hardin, Walter E. Earleson, Roy C. Fonseca
  • Publication number: 20160102643
    Abstract: A control system and strategy for starting power systems having a plurality of power modules. For example, a multi-engine generator set switcher locomotive has three power modules each of which have an engine associated therewith. Upon receiving a command from the locomotive indicating to the engine control module to start at least one power module, i.e., engine, the control strategy determines whether to start the engine with an air or electric start. The control strategy starts only a single engine at a time, thereby avoiding overloading the airflow capacity of the compressed air source or the electric power capacity of the electric source. The control strategy also implements a command to start ever engine with an air starter, if possible, to preserve the electric starter motor and the electric power capacity of the electric source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Applicant: Progress Rail Services Corp.
    Inventor: Roy C. Fonseca
  • Publication number: 20140130762
    Abstract: A control system and strategy for starting power systems having a plurality of power modules. For example, a multi-engine generator set switcher locomotive has three power modules each of which have an engine associated therewith. Upon receiving a command from the locomotive indicating to the engine control module to start at least one power module, i.e., engine, the control strategy determines whether to start the engine with an air or electric start. The control strategy starts only a single engine at a time, thereby avoiding overloading the airflow capacity of the compressed air source or the electric power capacity of the electric source. The control strategy also implements a command to start ever engine with an air starter, if possible, to preserve the electric starter motor and the electric power capacity of the electric source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Progress Rail Services Corp.
    Inventor: Roy C. Fonseca
  • Patent number: 8319356
    Abstract: A control system and strategy for starting power systems having a plurality of power modules. For example, a multi-engine generator set switcher locomotive has three power modules each of which have an engine associated therewith. Upon receiving a command from the locomotive indicating to the engine control module to start at least one power module, i.e., engine, the control strategy determines whether to start the engine with an air or electric start. The control strategy starts only a single engine at a time, thereby avoiding overloading the airflow capacity of the compressed air source or the electric power capacity of the electric source. The control strategy also implements a command to start every engine with an air starter, if possible, to preserve the electric starter motor and the electric power capacity of the electric source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Roy C Fonseca
  • Publication number: 20100170414
    Abstract: A diesel-electric locomotive has two separate engine systems, including a large engine system and a small engine system. The power output from the separate engine systems may be combined to power the locomotive's traction motors. When the locomotive requires low power output for propulsion, only the small engine system is used to power the traction motors. When the locomotive requires higher power output, only the large engine system is used to power the traction motors. When the locomotive requires maximum power output, the small and the large engine system may both be used and their power output combined to power the traction motors. Also, a unique control strategy maintains a smooth delivery of power to the traction motors in the event that one engine shuts down or starts as a result of a change in the commanded power output of the locomotive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: PROGRESS RAIL SERVICES CORP.
    Inventors: W. JACK HARDIN, WALTER E. EARLESON, ROY C. FONSECA
  • Publication number: 20100052331
    Abstract: A control system and strategy for starting power systems having a plurality of power modules. For example, a multi-engine generator set switcher locomotive has three power modules each of which have an engine associated therewith. Upon receiving a command from the locomotive indicating to the engine control module to start at least one power module, i.e., engine, the control strategy determines whether to start the engine with an air or electric start. The control strategy starts only a single engine at a time, thereby avoiding overloading the airflow capacity of the compressed air source or the electric power capacity of the electric source. The control strategy also implements a command to start every engine with an air starter, if possible, to preserve the electric starter motor and the electric power capacity of the electric source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: Progress Rail Services Corp.
    Inventor: Roy C. Fonseca
  • Patent number: 7295098
    Abstract: Methods and systems may provide theft protection in one or more work machines. Methods and systems may control one or more operational systems and may provide and manage varying levels of access to work machines. Methods and systems may react to override attempts in order to provide robust theft protection. One or more control modules embedded in a work machine may be leveraged to perform theft protection services. Methods and systems may activate a first control module to restrict access to a first operational system in a work machine and activate a second control module to restrict access to a second operational system in the work machine. The first control module may detect a substitution of a new control module for the second control module and automatically configure the new control module to restrict access to the second operational system in the work machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Edward H. Betts, Jr., Timothy Alan Booth, Roy C. Fonseca, Mark J. Hilbert, Daniel Douglas Swords, Nathan Ralph Taylor, David L. Zwetz