Randall Scott Mecca

US Patent:

57852839, Jul 28, 1998

Filed:

Nov 25, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/756322

Inventors:

Michael J. Ehrenberger - Pittsburgh PA
Randall S. Mecca - Columbia SC
Kenneth Gottschlich - Pittsburgh PA
Christopher R. Harper - Pittsburgh PA
Jack I. Wilson - Overland Park KS

Assignee:

Union Switch & Signal Inc. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

B61L 2300

US Classification:

246 62

Abstract:

A system and method of communicating via digital radio between a train and a device positioned at the wayside of a railway system, wherein the device detects defects at the wayside and information related to the defects is transmitted from the wayside to the train for display in the locomotive cab. A communications unit having a microprocessor control circuit and a transceiver is electrically coupled, preferably by serial connection, to the defect detector along the wayside. The transceiver of the communications unit is in radio communication with an existing transceiver in the head-of-train (HOT) unit located in the locomotive cab at the head-end of the train. The head-of-train unit has a microprocessor control circuit that drives a display which is preferably alphanumeric, for the purpose of displaying messages related to the defects detected by the defect detector at the wayside, and subsequently transmitted between the transceiver of the communications unit and the transceiver of the HOT unit. In a preferred embodiment, the HOT unit includes recording apparatus for recording the messages displayed and an alarm for notifying an operator that a message is being displayed.

US Patent:

49289101, May 29, 1990

Filed:

Oct 11, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/255787

Inventors:

Jeffery J. Utterback - Harrisonville MO
Randall S. Mecca - Warrensburg MO

Assignee:

Harmon Industries, Inc. - Blue Springs MO

International Classification:

B61K 906

US Classification:

246169A

Abstract:

Overheated railroad journal bearings, wheels, and wheel components on a moving or stationary railroad train are detected by amplifying the current signal from an infrared radiation sensor comprising a pyroelectric cell. A reference temperature is sensed by chopping the incident infrared radiation with an asynchronous shutter that momentarily closes at successive time spacings of shorter duration than the scanning period of the sensor. The amplified signal is converted to a digital signal and processed by a microcontroller and associated hardware and software. The software comprises a free-running loop Main Program which is subject to several interrupts. The output signal may be digital or analog and is transmitted to remote signal processing equipment for further processing.

US Patent:

50608908, Oct 29, 1991

Filed:

Sep 29, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/415103

Inventors:

Jeffrey J. Utterback - Harrisonville MO
Randall S. Mecca - Warrensburg MO

Assignee:

Harmon Industries, Inc. - Blue Springs MO

International Classification:

B61K 906

US Classification:

246169A

Abstract:

Overheated railroad journal bearings, wheels, and other wheel components on a moving or stationary railroad train are detected by amplifying the current signal from an infrared radiation sensor comprising a pyroelectric cell. A reference temperature is sensed by chopping the incident infrared radiation with an asynchronous shutter that momentarily closes at successive time spacings of shorter duration than the scanning period of the sensor. The amplified signal is converted to a digital signal and processed by a microcontroller and associated hardware and software. The detector automatically and periodically calibrates itself and compensates the temperature signals for any temperature difference between the ambient external temperature and the temperature inside the detector housing. The output signal may be digital or analog.

US Patent:

51490250, Sep 22, 1992

Filed:

Sep 13, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/759237

Inventors:

Jeffery J. Utterback - Harrisonville MO
Randall S. Mecca - Warrensburg MO

Assignee:

Harmon Industries, Inc. - Blue Springs MO

International Classification:

B61K 906

US Classification:

246169A

Abstract:

Overheated railroad journal bearings, wheels, and other wheel components on a moving or stationary railroad train are detected by amplifying the current signal from an infrared radiation sensor comprising a pytoelectric cell. A reference temperature is sensed by chopping the incident infrared radiation with an asynchronous shutter that momentarilly closes at successive time spacings of shorter duration than the scanning period of the sensor. The amplified signal is converted to a digital signal and processed by a microcontroller and associated hardware and software. The detector automatically and periodically calibrates itself and compensates the temperature signals for any temperature difference between the ambient external temperature and the temperature inside the detector housing. The output signal may be digital or analog.

Address:

24705 E State Hwy N, Eagleville, MO 64442

Phone:

(660)8675323

VIN:

1D7HA18N48S584706

Make:

DODGE

Model:

RAM PICKUP 1500

Year:

2008