Harrison Thomas Hickenlooper

US Patent:

6701228, Mar 2, 2004

Filed:

May 31, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/157874

Inventors:

Mark Edward Kane - Orange Park FL
James Francis Shockley - Orange Park FL
Harrison Thomas Hickenlooper - Palatka FL

Assignee:

Quantum Engineering, Inc. - Orange Park FL

International Classification:

G06F 700

US Classification:

701 19, 701200, 73179 R, 246 1 C, 246122 R

Abstract:

A method and system for compensating for wheel wear uses position and/or speed information from an independent positioning system to measure some distance over which the train has traveled. Wheel rotation information is also collected over the distance. The wheel rotation information and distance and/or speed information are then used to determine the size of the train wheels. The method is performed periodically to correct for changes in wheel size over time due to wear so that the wheel rotation information can be used to determine train position and speed in the event of a positioning system failure.

US Patent:

6824110, Nov 30, 2004

Filed:

Jul 16, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/619425

Inventors:

Mark Edward Kane - Orange Park FL
James Francis Shockley - Orange Park FL
Harrison Thomas Hickenlooper - Palatka FL

Assignee:

Quantum Engineering, Inc. - Orange Park FL

International Classification:

B61L 2900

US Classification:

246293, 246124, 246122 R, 701 19

Abstract:

A method and system for automatically activating a train warning device that uses a positioning system such as a global positioning system (GPS) receiver or an inertial navigation system (INS) to determine the trains position. The system further includes a database containing locations of grade crossings and other locations at which a train is required to give a warning signal and what regulations govern activation of the warning device at such locations.

US Patent:

6845953, Jan 25, 2005

Filed:

Oct 10, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/267962

Inventors:

Mark Edward Kane - Orange Park FL, US
James Francis Shockley - Orange Park FL, US
Harrison Thomas Hickenlooper - Palatka FL, US

Assignee:

Quantum Engineering, Inc. - Orange Park FL

International Classification:

B61L 2100

US Classification:

246 20, 246167 R

Abstract:

A train control system includes a control module that determines a position of a train using a positioning system and consults a database to determine when the train is approaching a portion of track monitored by a track circuit. When the train is near a track circuit, but while the train is still far enough away from the track circuit such that the train can be stopped before reaching the portion of track monitored by the track circuit, the train transmits an interrogation message to a transceiver associated with the track circuit. When the track circuit receives the interrogation message, a test is initiated. The test results are transmitted back to the train. The train takes corrective action if the track circuit fails to respond or indicates a problem.

US Patent:

6853888, Feb 8, 2005

Filed:

Mar 21, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/392850

Inventors:

Mark Edward Kane - Orange Park FL, US
James Francis Shockley - Orange Park FL, US
Harrison Thomas Hickenlooper - Palatka FL, US

Assignee:

Quantum Engineering Inc. - Orange Park FL

International Classification:

G05D001/00
G06F007/00

US Classification:

701 19, 701 20

Abstract:

A train control system and method uses signal information from a next block to change a restrictive signal in a block currently occupied by the train to a less restrictive signal if it can be ascertained that the condition causing the more restrictive signal has changed. This may be accomplished by receiving signal information from the next block while still in the current block and, if the signal information from the next block is no more restrictive than the signal information in the current block, and the signal in the current block is of a type that can safely be modified, allowing the train to operate as if the signal information for the current block were less restrictive than the actual, previously received signal information for the current block.

US Patent:

6863246, Mar 8, 2005

Filed:

Dec 31, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/331768

Inventors:

Mark Edward Kane - Orange Park FL, US
James Francis Shockley - Orange Park FL, US
Harrison Thomas Hickenlooper - Palatka FL, US

Assignee:

Quantum Engineering, Inc. - Orange Park FL

International Classification:

B61C017/00

US Classification:

246121, 701 19

Abstract:

An automated fault reporting system for a train includes a controller that gathers information concerning malfunctioning wayside status devices and automatically reports the information to an appropriate party. In one embodiment, the control module uses a positioning system and a database including device locations in order to determine when the train is near a device. If no status information is received from the device as the train approaches, or the status information indicates a problem, the train is allowed to continue at a reduced speed to allow the operator to visually confirm that it is safe to proceed. If an area monitored by the device has been passed, or if the operator indicates that there is no problem, or the device fails to respond, the controller records and reports the malfunction.

US Patent:

6865454, Mar 8, 2005

Filed:

Jul 2, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/186426

Inventors:

Mark Edward Kane - Orange Park FL, US
James Francis Shockley - Orange Park FL, US
Harrison Thomas Hickenlooper - Palatka FL, US

Assignee:

Quantum Engineering Inc. - Orange Park FL

International Classification:

B61L029/00

US Classification:

701 19, 701301, 246122 R

Abstract:

A train control system includes positioning systems at the end of the train and at the front of the train, allowing the conductor or engineer to unambiguously determine that no cars of the train have become detached. The positioning system at the end of the train is also used to verify that the entire train has cleared a block. This information can be relayed to a dispatcher, thereby eliminating the need for trackside sensing equipment. A control unit prevents the train from moving without an authorization that includes the train's current position.

US Patent:

6903658, Jun 7, 2005

Filed:

Sep 29, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/671625

Inventors:

Mark Edward Kane - Orange Park FL, US
James Francis Shockley - Orange Park FL, US
Harrison Thomas Hickenlooper - Palatka FL, US

Assignee:

Quantum Engineering, Inc. - Orange Park FL

International Classification:

G08B023/00

US Classification:

340576, 180272, 246187 B

Abstract:

A train control system requires a train operator to enter signal aspect information at each wayside signal position on a railroad and stops the train if the operator fails to enter aspect information without communicating with the wayside signal device to verify that the information entered by the operator is correct, In some embodiments, the signal aspect information is entered by pressing a button corresponding to the signal aspect information, and the location and/or arrangement of the buttons changes. Alternatively, the operator must repeat a varying sequence (such as a series of button pushes) in conjunction with and/or in addition to entering signal aspect information.

US Patent:

6915191, Jul 5, 2005

Filed:

May 19, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/440129

Inventors:

Mark Edward Kane - Orange Park FL, US
James Francis Shockley - Orange Park FL, US
Harrison Thomas Hickenlooper - Palatka FL, US

Assignee:

Quantum Engineering, Inc. - Orange Park FL

International Classification:

G08G001/123

US Classification:

701 19, 701213, 701215, 246122 R, 340988

Abstract:

A controller determines that an end of train (EOT) has passed a point through the use of positioning systems at the head of the train (HOT) and the EOT. In a first method, the controller obtains the HOT position at a point of interest from the HOT positioning system. The controller then determines when the train has traveled a distance equal to the length of the train and then interrogates the EOT positioning system. If the difference between this position and the position reported by the HOT positioning system at the point of interest exceeds a threshold, then the EOT has passed the point. In a second method, when the HOT positioning system reaches a point of interest, the position reported by the EOT positioning system is integrated until the total distance traveled by the EOT equals the length of the train.