RAILCAR HANDBRAKE MONITOR
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A device for monitoring the status of a railcar handbrake having a hand operated handle, which device has a load bearing member configured to be inserted in the linkage of a railcar handbrake system so that the force applied to the brake system passes through the load bearing member. A strain gauge mounted on the load bearing member measures the strain. The information from the strain gauge is indicative of the force applied by the handbrake to the brake and is used to determine the status of the handbrake. Means for determining motion of the railcar is also provided. In one form, if it is determined that the brake is on and the railcar is in motion, information, such as an alarm, is transmitted. A system and method of monitoring a railcar handbrake are also provided.
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Citations
51 Claims
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1-26. -26. (canceled)
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27. A device for monitoring the status of a handbrake on a railcar which has a brake linkage for transferring a force from the handbrake to a railcar brake, said device comprising:
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a load bearing member configured to be inserted in the brake linkage so as to be tensioned by and transfer there through at least a portion of the force applied by the handbrake to the railcar brake; a strain gauge mounted on said load bearing member to measure the force being transferred through said load bearing member to the railcar brake; electrical circuitry in communication with said strain gauge for obtaining information regarding the status of the handbrake, said circuitry being configured to determine if the force measured exceeds a predetermined threshold level indicating that the railcar brake is on; and a power source electrically connected to said electrical circuitry for providing power thereto. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. A method of monitoring the status of a brake on a railcar which is operated by transferring a force to said railcar brake through a linkage, said method comprising the following steps:
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(a) measuring the force transferred through the linkage to the railcar brake, said force being measured by a sensor; (b) determining if the force measured in step (a) exceeds a predetermined threshold level chosen to indicate that the brake is on; and (c) if in step (b) it is determined that the brake is on, causing a transmission of information indicating that the brake on. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
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Specification