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:
Dec. 07, 2010
Filed:
Dec. 23, 2005
David Michael Davenport, Niskayuna, NY (US);
Rahul Bhotika, Niskayuna, NY (US);
John Erik Hershey, Ballston Lake, NY (US);
Robert James Mitchell, Waterford, NY (US);
Emad Andarawis Andarawis, Ballston Lake, NY (US);
Kenneth Brakeley Welles, Scotia, NY (US);
David Michael Davenport, Niskayuna, NY (US);
Rahul Bhotika, Niskayuna, NY (US);
John Erik Hershey, Ballston Lake, NY (US);
Robert James Mitchell, Waterford, NY (US);
Emad Andarawis Andarawis, Ballston Lake, NY (US);
Kenneth Brakeley Welles, Scotia, NY (US);
General Electric Company, Niskayuna, NY (US);
Abstract
An apparatus and method for indicating whether a coupler of a locomotive is in a coupled or uncoupled state is provided. The apparatus comprising: a sensor positioned on a portion of the coupler, wherein the sensor provides a real-time signal indicative of either a coupled or an uncoupled state of a coupler, wherein the signal is transmitted wirelessly by a transmitter in operable communication with the sensor. The method comprising: providing a signal indicative of the presence or proximity of a second coupler to the first coupler, the signal being provided by a sensor configured to provide the signal as the state of the coupler has changed; transmitting the signal wirelessly to a controller; processing the signal with a control algorithm resident upon the controller; and providing visually perceivable indication of the position of the coupler.