Gerald James Hess

Author:

Gerald F. Hess

ISBN #:

0890897859

Author:

Gerald Hess

ISBN #:

2738461638

Author:

Gerald Hess

ISBN #:

2841742695

US Patent:

8370006, Feb 5, 2013

Filed:

Dec 7, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/608066

Inventors:

Ajith Kuttannair Kumar - Erie PA, US
Wolfgang Daum - Erie PA, US
Tom Otsubo - Oak Grove MO, US
John Erik Hershey - Ballston Lake NY, US
Gerald James Hess - Lenexa KS, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

G06F 7/00
G06F 17/00

US Classification:

701 19, 701 20, 701400

Abstract:

One embodiment of the invention includes a system for operating a railway network comprising a first railway vehicle () during a trip along track segments (). The system comprises a first element () for determining travel parameters of the first railway vehicle (), a second element () for determining travel parameters of a second railway vehicle () relative to the track segments to be traversed by the first vehicle during the trip, a processor () for receiving information from the first () and the second () elements and for determining a relationship between occupation of a track segment () by the second vehicle () and later occupation of the same track segment by the first vehicle () and an algorithm embodied within the processor () having access to the information to create a trip plan that determines a speed trajectory for the first vehicle (), wherein the speed trajectory is responsive to the relationship and further in accordance with one or more operational criteria for the first vehicle ().

US Patent:

8406940, Mar 26, 2013

Filed:

Jan 9, 2008

Appl. No.:

11/971709

Inventors:

Tom Otsubo - Oak Grove MO, US
Wolfgang Daum - Erie PA, US
Craig Alan Stull - Kansas City MO, US
Gerald Hess - Erie PA, US
Andrew David Caple - Bates City MO, US
Misty McCrea Chambers - Lees Summit MO, US
Jason G. White - Leawood KS, US
Robert Allen Coker - Foristell MO, US
John Gregory Zimmerman - Lee's Summit MO, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

G05D 1/00

US Classification:

701 19, 701 20, 701409, 701412, 701454, 701461, 701532, 702 5, 702 85, 702 94, 246122 R, 246322, 33287, 33651

Abstract:

A method for mapping a railroad track is provided. The method includes defining a plurality of track segments that form the railroad track and determining coordinates of each track segment. The method also includes storing the coordinates of each track segment in a database as map segments and linking the map segments stored in the database to create a multi-dimensional railroad track map.

US Patent:

20020183917, Dec 5, 2002

Filed:

Jun 4, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/873841

Inventors:

Daniel Wolf - Erie PA, US
Gerald Hess - Erie PA, US
Jeffrey Twichel - Girard PA, US

International Classification:

G06G007/70
G06F019/00
F02N017/00

US Classification:

701/112000, 123/179400

Abstract:

An automatic start/stop system for locomotive engines which takes into account operator needs and concerns by enabling operators to locally prevent automatic shutdowns of their locomotives without disabling their AESS systems. Thus, operators can maintain their lead (and/or other) units running (i.e., for peace of mind, climate control, etc.) without prohibiting other locomotives in consist from automatically shutting down. The system preferably includes an inhibit switch located in each locomotive control cabin which, when actuated by an operator, prevents that locomotive (and only that locomotive) from automatically shutting down within a predefined duration of time. Techniques for reminding and prompting an operator to enable an AESS system include sounding an alarm, displaying and recording fault data, and inhibiting motoring of the locomotive when the AESS system is disabled and the operator calls for braking or motoring capability.

US Patent:

20030034423, Feb 20, 2003

Filed:

Jun 21, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/177547

Inventors:

Gerald Hess - Erie PA, US
Jan Nagle - North East PA, US
Shuo Chen - Erie PA, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company

International Classification:

B61L003/00

US Classification:

246/16700R

Abstract:

A system and method for controlling, a response to an operator, a consist of at least first and second locomotives having discrete operating modes. The system and method comprises an operator control, a first controller, a second controller, and a communication link. Alternatively, the system and method includes control modules which may be retrofitted to an existing consist control. The power operating modes of the locomotives within a consist are selected to optimize the operation of the consist. The operation of the consist may be optimized for any number of factors including optimizing for braking capacity, as a function of the location, base on a performance parameter which is a function of a performance profile or the location of a crew member.

US Patent:

20030087543, May 8, 2003

Filed:

Oct 18, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/274482

Inventors:

Gerald Hess - Erie PA, US
Jan Nagle - North East PA, US
Shuo Chen - Erie PA, US
Rohini Gangadharraju - Malleswaram, IN

Assignee:

General Electric Company

International Classification:

H01R013/64

US Classification:

439/246000

Abstract:

A device for interconnecting two locomotive Multiple Unit (MU) control receptacles together. The invention provides for the introduction of a multi-piece cable assembly that includes two end-sections and a mid-section cable optionally employing a unisex connector. The invention also includes a two-section cable assembly comprising two end-sections cables each equipped with unisex connectors. The invention also includes improved methods of interconnecting two locomotive control receptacles that are less strenuous and less difficult to operate.

US Patent:

20030213875, Nov 20, 2003

Filed:

May 5, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/429596

Inventors:

Gerald Hess - Erie PA, US
Jan Nagle - North East PA, US
Shuo Chen - Erie PA, US
Randall Slomski - Erie PA, US
Ajith Kumar - Erie PA, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company

International Classification:

B61L003/00

US Classification:

246/16700R

Abstract:

The system and method for controlling a consist of at least first and second locomotives having discrete operating modes. The method comprises receiving a control command and determining a power operating mode of the first locomotive and a power operating mode of the second locomotive as a function of the control command and an optimization parameter. The power operating mode of the second locomotive is different as compared to the power operating mode of the first locomotive in at least one mode of operation of the method. The method further comprises controlling the first locomotive responsive to the power operating mode of the first locomotive and controlling the second locomotive responsive to the power operating mode of second locomotive.

US Patent:

20040104312, Jun 3, 2004

Filed:

Nov 26, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/722610

Inventors:

Gerald Hess - Erie PA, US
Jan Nagle - North East PA, US
Shuo Chen - Erie PA, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company

International Classification:

B61L003/00

US Classification:

246/186000

Abstract:

A system for controlling, a response to an operator, a consist of at least first and second locomotives having discrete operating modes. The system comprises an operator control, a first controller, a second controller, and a communication link. Alternatively, the system and method includes control modules which may be retrofitted to an existing consist control. The power operating modes of the locomotives within a consist are selected to optimize the operation of the consist. The operation of the consist may be optimized for any number of factors including optimizing for braking capacity, as a function of the location, base on a performance parameter which is a function of a performance profile or the location of a crew member.

US Patent:

20040122586, Jun 24, 2004

Filed:

Oct 3, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/678528

Inventors:

Daniel Wolf - Erie PA, US
Gerald Hess - Erie PA, US
Jeffrey Twichel - Girard PA, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company

International Classification:

G06G007/70

US Classification:

701/112000

Abstract:

A method and system for an automatic engine stop and start system in a locomotive that includes deactivating the automatic engine stop system in response to receiving an instruction to prevent the automatic engine stop system from automatically shutting down the locomotive without otherwise disabling the continued operation of the automatic engine stop system. The invention is also an apparatus for controlling a locomotive equipped with an automatic engine stop system. The apparatus includes a receiving interface for receiving a deactivation command from the automatic engine stop system. The apparatus also includes an input device for receiving an instruction to override the received deactivation command. The apparatus further includes a transmitting interface coupled to the input device for transmitting a control command. The transmitted control command is a command other than the received deactivation command such that the control command at least delays the automatic engine stop system from automatically shutting down the locomotive.