IP Library Granted Patent US 7,579,941
Granted Patent B2
US 7,579,941 · App. 11/335,226 · Granted Aug 25, 2009

Trailer cargo detection using ultrasonic transducers

Assignee: General Electric Company
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,579,941
App. No.
11/335,226
Granted
Aug 25, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

A cargo detector for use in a trailer that includes an ultrasonic transducer for covering the entire interior area of the trailer. In particular, the cargo detector has three modes including short range, long range, and proximity range, and can detect cargoes located flush against a front or rear wall of the trailer.

Claims (12)

1. An apparatus for detecting an object in a trailer comprising:

a long-range sensor mounted along a nose wall of the trailer;

an atmospheric absorption compensation module connected to the long-range sensor; and

a power source electrically connected to the sensor; wherein:

the atmospheric absorption compensation further comprises at least one sensor sensing one or more atmospheric conditions; and

the atmospheric conditions comprise air humidity.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

one or more openings to facilitate sensing of at least one atmospheric condition.

3. The method of claim 1 :

wherein the atmospheric condition further comprises air temperature.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the atmospheric absorption compensation module further comprises controls for amplifying sensor signal.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the atmospheric absorption compensation module further comprises a processor for calculating effects of atmospheric absorption on ultrasonic signal.

Assignments (6)
ASSIGNMENT OF PATENT SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 4, 2016
From: SIENA LENDING GROUP LLC
To: SIENA FUNDING LLC
Reel/Frame 038338/0981 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 21, 2015
From: ASSET INTELLIGENCE, LLC
To: SIENA LENDING GROUP LLC
Reel/Frame 037358/0098 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 25, 2010
From: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
To: ASSET INTELLIGENCE, LLC
Reel/Frame 023839/0006 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 20, 2009
From: WENDLER, STEVE
To: TERION, INC.
Reel/Frame 023390/0776 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 20, 2009
From: CLEVELAND, RONALD
To: TERION, INC.
Reel/Frame 023390/0813 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 21, 2007
From: TERION, INC.
To: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
Reel/Frame 019341/0233 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 1063336500 · Aug 1, 2003
Provisional Application 6040066400 · Aug 1, 2002
Related Publication 20060132306A1 · Jun 22, 2006