Patents by Inventor Thomas Michael Shanahan

Thomas Michael Shanahan 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).

  • Rail sensing apparatus and method
    Patent number: 8305567
    Abstract: A rail sensing and analysis system utilizes a laser sensor 105, 107 to detect displacement of a rail 102, 104 resulting from loads imposed by a passing rail vehicle. Vertical and/or lateral displacements/loads may be sensed. Signatures in the resulting signals are indicative of useful information about the rail vehicle; such as wheel condition, bearing condition, truck condition, degree of bogie hunting, total load, load distribution, etc. The ratio of Lateral over Vertical force (L/V) may be used as an evaluation criterion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Progress Rail Services Corp
    Inventors: Peter Hesser, Joseph Forrest Noffsinger, Thomas Michael Shanahan
  • Rail Sensing Apparatus Method
    Publication number: 20080304065
    Abstract: A rail sensing and analysis system utilizes a laser sensor 105, 107 to detect displacement of a rail 102, 104 resulting from loads imposed by a passing rail vehicle. Vertical and/or lateral displacements/loads may be sensed. Signatures in the resulting signals are indicative of useful information about the rail vehicle; such as wheel condition, bearing condition, truck condition, degree of bogie hunting, total load, load distribution, etc. The ratio of Lateral over Vertical force (L/V) may be used as an evaluation criterion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Peter Hesser, Joseph Forrest Noffsinger, Thomas Michael Shanahan