BEARING TEMPERATURE SENSING APPARATUS FOR USE ON A TRAILER

• US 3,792,434 A
• Filed: 07/14/1972
• Issued: 02/12/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: James G. Williams
• Original Assignee: James G. Williams
• Inventors: Williams, James G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Waring, Alvin H.
• Application Number:
  US05/271,919
• Time in Patent Office: 578 Days
• Field of Search: 340/57,269,270 246/169A,169R
• US Class Current: 340/449
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/20 Devices for measuring or signalling tyre temperature only
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 19/525 related to temperature and heat, e.g. insulation
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/14 Supports; Fastening devices; Arrangements for mounting thermometers in particular locations
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 3/005 Circuits arrangements for indicating a predetermined temperature fire detection G08B17/00

Abstract

An apparatus which incorporates a thermistor mounted in a stub axle being specially modified by the presence of an axial bore therein wherein the thermistor is positioned within the axle at a point between the bearing surfaces on the exterior thereof and further incorporating a conductor line which extends to an indicating apparatus located elsewhere. The indicating apparatus utilizes a DC power supply which is connected through a relay winding which reverses the operative status of relay contacts to form a visible indication of overheating of the bearings supported on the axle. Current flows from the source through the relay winding and thermistor to ground.

Claims

1. For use with a non-rotating axle supporting a trailer frame member wherein the axle has a first bearing surface thereabout and an extended portion of a cylindrical shape extending to a second bearing surface thereabout wherein the axle supports two bearing assemblies on the bearing surfaces which support a hub for rotation about the axle with the hub adapted to be releasably connected to a rim and tire mounted on the rim, the improvement comprising a passage means formed in said axle extending to a point in said axle between said first and second bearing surfaces, temperature sensing means in said passage means responsive to an increase of temperature in said axle as a result of overheating the bearing assemblies, an output signal conductor from said sensing means, an indicator means connected to said sensing means for forming an indication of temperatures in said axle above a predetermined level, and the vehicle has at least two axles similarly protected by said sensor means connected to a common indicator means, therebeing a relay coil connected in series with each of said sensing means, a switch means closed by said relay coil on flowing a current above a predetermined level through said relay coil, a lamp connected in series with said switch means, a voltage source connected to said series connected lamp and switch means for applying power to said lamp when said switch means is closed but not when said switch means is open.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said sensing means includes a thermistor.

3. The structure of claim 1 including a switch means connected to said sensing means.

4. The structure of claim 1 wherein a plurality of axles have similarly arranged sensing means and all such sensing means are connected to a common indicator means, therebeing a switch means connected in series with each of said sensing means, and wherein said indicating means forms an indication dependent on the signal applied thereto by operation of said switch means.

5. The structure of claim 1 including a meter movement connected selectively to certain of said sensing means.

6. The structure of claim 5 wherein said meter movement is calibrated to indicate temperature.

7. The structure of claim 1 including a common voltage source for said sensing means.

8. The structure of claim 1 wherein said passage means is formed axially of said axle, and connects with a radially directed passage opening inboard of said first bearing surface and said conductor extends from said axle to a common location with conductors from other such axles and are connected to said indicating means at a location within view of an operator of a vehicle pulling the trailer frame.

9. The strucTure of claim 8 wherein said indicating means forms a visible and an audible indication.

10. The structure of claim 1 wherein said passage means is formed axially of said axle, and connects with a radially directed passage opening inborad of said first bearing surface.