Thomas R Metzger

US Patent:

7209810, Apr 24, 2007

Filed:

Nov 4, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/980191

Inventors:

Thomas J. Meyer - Marilla NY, US
Thomas R. Metzger - Wheatfield NY, US

Assignee:

Lockheed Martin Corp. - Bethesda MD

International Classification:

G01C 21/26

US Classification:

701 19, 701220, 246122 R

Abstract:

A locomotive location system and method utilizes inertial measurement inputs, including orthogonal acceleration inputs and turn rate information, in combination with wheel-mounted tachometer information and GPS/DGPS position fixes to provide processed outputs indicative of track occupancy, position, direction of travel, velocity, etc. Various navigation solutions are combined together to provide the desired information outputs using an optimal estimator designed specifically for rail applications and subjected to motion constraints reflecting the physical motion limitations of a locomotive. The system utilizes geo-reconciliation to minimize errors and solutions that identify track occupancy when traveling through a turnout.

US Patent:

7650207, Jan 19, 2010

Filed:

May 3, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/416068

Inventors:

Thomas R. Metzger - Wheatfield NY, US

Assignee:

Lockheed Martin Corp. - Bethesda MD

International Classification:

G05D 1/00

US Classification:

701 19, 701 1, 701200, 246122 R, 246273, 246322, 33287, 33338, 33532, 33651

Abstract:

In a rail track system having transition points, a locomotive having a navigation system (such as a combined inertial/GPS location system) moves along an initially known track and enters the “halo” surrounding a track transition to begin data collection/logging to accumulate successive position information data points as the locomotive moves into, progresses through, and exits the “halo. ” The collected data for movement within the “halo” is then subject to a best fit assessment relative to the data pre-stored in the track database.

US Patent:

8009435, Aug 30, 2011

Filed:

Nov 6, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/265906

Inventors:

Thomas R. Metzger - Wheatfield NY, US

Assignee:

Lockheed Martin Corp. - Bethesda MD

International Classification:

H05K 5/00
H05K 7/14
H05K 7/18

US Classification:

361752, 361759, 361796, 361801, 361704, 361714, 361715

Abstract:

An enclosure or containment system for expansion cards includes first and second sub-enclosures that interengage to form an enclosure assembly that substantially surrounds the major surface areas of the expansion card while providing support along some of the edges thereof to provide a protected volume that physically protects and shields the electronic and electrical components on the expansion card while providing enhanced heat transfer therefrom.

US Patent:

8375785, Feb 19, 2013

Filed:

Sep 8, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/206305

Inventors:

Thomas Metzger - Wheatfield NY, US
David L. Sieracki - Depew NY, US
Daniel E. Dosch - Hamburg NY, US

Assignee:

Lockheed Martin Corporation - Bethesda MD

International Classification:

G01V 7/00

US Classification:

73382G

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for an improved gravity gradiometer are disclosed.

US Patent:

8578771, Nov 12, 2013

Filed:

Mar 7, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/041963

Inventors:

Daniel E. Dosch - Hamburg NY, US
Thomas R. Metzger - Wheatfield NY, US
Patrick W. Garten - Niagara Falls NY, US

Assignee:

Lockheed Martin Corporation - Bethesda MD

International Classification:

G01V 7/02
G01V 7/16

US Classification:

73382G

Abstract:

A rotational stabilization system and method which allows for greater spatial separation of accelerometer sensors while maintaining or reducing an existing external footprint.

US Patent:

20100256843, Oct 7, 2010

Filed:

Apr 2, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/753534

Inventors:

Harvey Bergstein - North Bellmore NY, US
Thomas R. Metzger - Wheatfield NY, US
Michael R. Pawlak - Lewiston NY, US

Assignee:

Lookheed Martin Corporation - Bethesda MD

International Classification:

B61L 99/00
G06F 19/00
B60T 17/18
B60T 17/22

US Classification:

701 19

Abstract:

A train control system comprising a vital brake interface unit that is disposed between the train control processors and the braking system. The brake interface unit ensures that any failure in the control processors or the interface itself is detectable and, when detected, causes the system to fail safely (i.e., the train's brakes are applied). By virtue of the use of redundant circuitry paths, the vital braking interface unit enables real-time verification of system circuitry without actually applying the train's brakes.

US Patent:

20170050655, Feb 23, 2017

Filed:

Nov 2, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/341601

Inventors:

- Bethesda MD, US
Thomas R. Metzger - Wheatfield NY, US
Michael R. Pawlak - Lewiston NY, US
Warren H. Klinck - Merrick NY, US

International Classification:

B61L 27/04
B61K 9/00
B60T 17/22

Abstract:

A train control system comprising a vital brake interface unit that is disposed between the train control processors and the braking system. The brake interface unit ensures that any failure in the control processors or the interface itself is detectable and, when detected, causes the system to fail safely (i.e., the train's brakes are applied). By virtue of the use of redundant circuitry paths, the vital braking interface unit enables real-time verification of system circuitry without actually applying the train's brakes.

US Patent:

20140266882, Sep 18, 2014

Filed:

Mar 12, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/205517

Inventors:

- Bethesda MD, US
Thomas R. METZGER - North Tonawanda NY, US

Assignee:

LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION - Bethesda MD

International Classification:

G01S 19/13
G01S 19/21

US Classification:

34235759, 34235751

Abstract:

A system and process that can be used to determine vehicle attitude with only one navigation receiver. In one embodiment, the antenna of the navigation receiver is driven with a signal that modulates sensitivity in azimuth. The received navigation signal strength is demodulated by the phase at which the antenna is sweeping and a phase angle and a magnitude for the incoming signal are calculated. Using this calculated phase angle, magnitude and antenna characteristics, the location of the user (i.e. the navigation receiver) and the location of the navigation satellite, the attitude of the antenna and hence the user or user vehicle can be determined.