The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 06, 2007
Filed:
Oct. 05, 2004
Forrest Henry Ballinger, Grain Valley, MO (US);
Forrest Henry Ballinger, Grain Valley, MO (US);
General Electric Company, Schenectady, NY (US);
Abstract
An apparatus and method for use with a railroad dragging equipment detecting (DED) system that detects objects hanging from and dragged beneath a train as the train travels along rails of a railroad track. A generator supplies a first signal and is coupled to a magnetic amplifier coil to form a magnetically variable impedance circuit. The magnetic amplifier coil is responsive to the first signal to create a circuit impedance in series with a detection circuit. A magnet is mechanically connected to the cam/follower system and is positioned near the magnetic amplifier core for varying a circuit impedance of the detection circuit. A detection circuit generates a second signal as a function of variations in circuit impedance. A controller is responsive to the second signal for activating an alarm when the magnet moves relative to the magnetic amplifier coil.