SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING CONDITION OF RAIL CAR WHEELS, BRAKES AND BEARINGS
First Claim
1. A method of assisting in a determination of a condition of at least a component of a rail car in motion, the method comprising:
- using a focusing lens to focus a first thermal sensor, which first thermal sensor is provided adjacent a first rail at a first location above the first rail, on a first portion of a bearing of a rail car;
detecting, with the first thermal sensor, a first temperature of the first portion of the bearing of the rail car;
comparing the first temperature of the first portion to at least one other temperature to determine a difference between the first temperature of the first portion and the at least one other temperature; and
determining whether at least one component of the rail car is failing using the difference between the first temperature of the first portion and the at least one other temperature.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for detecting failing rail car wheels, brakes, bearings, and/or other components of a rail car may include at least one thermal sensor and at least one image capture device. The thermal sensor(s) and image capture devices(s) are usable to help determine whether there is a failure or potential failure of a component of a wheel set by detecting, measuring and/or comparing a temperature of various portions of the wheel set. If the temperature is higher than expected, it may indicate, for example, a stuck brake, a failing bearing, and/or some other failure of the wheel set. If the temperature is lower than expected, it could indicate that a brake of the wheel set is unexpectedly disengaged and/or some other failure of the wheel set.
3 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method of assisting in a determination of a condition of at least a component of a rail car in motion, the method comprising:
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using a focusing lens to focus a first thermal sensor, which first thermal sensor is provided adjacent a first rail at a first location above the first rail, on a first portion of a bearing of a rail car; detecting, with the first thermal sensor, a first temperature of the first portion of the bearing of the rail car; comparing the first temperature of the first portion to at least one other temperature to determine a difference between the first temperature of the first portion and the at least one other temperature; and determining whether at least one component of the rail car is failing using the difference between the first temperature of the first portion and the at least one other temperature. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification