Method and apparatus for analyzing performance of electric-traction-motor powered vehicles and electrical operating components thereof
First Claim
1. A method of determining performance characteristics of electric-traction-motor powered vehicles and electrical operating components thereof which produce magnetic fields during operation, comprising sensing the magnetic field of at least one of said electrical operating components from a stationary position outside of and not connected with the vehicle concerned as such vehicle passes said position, to thereby yield an electrical signal indicative of the magnetic field sensed;
- and processing said signal to yield a perceptible output representative of said magnetic field and indicative in general of any maintenance work that must be done to maintain optimum operating performance.
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Abstract
Magnetic fields of electrical operating components of electric-traction-motor powered vehicles, especially diesel electric and all-electric railway locomotives, are sensed as the vehicles pass given locations along their respective paths of travel, and the signals so obtained are processed to yield perceptible outputs, such as oscillograph charts or computer printouts, indicative of performance and any maintenance work that must be done for maximum utilization of available energy. In instances in which speed of the vehicle is a significant factor, that information is ascertained and utilized in the processing of the signals derived from sensing the magnetic fields. The apparatus comprises one or more magnetic field sensors, such as standard relay coils, strategically located with respect to the path of travel of the vehicle, and information processing equipment adapted to receive signals from the sensors and speed information, if significant, and to provide a perceptible output indicative of performance and any maintenance work required.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method of determining performance characteristics of electric-traction-motor powered vehicles and electrical operating components thereof which produce magnetic fields during operation, comprising sensing the magnetic field of at least one of said electrical operating components from a stationary position outside of and not connected with the vehicle concerned as such vehicle passes said position, to thereby yield an electrical signal indicative of the magnetic field sensed;
- and processing said signal to yield a perceptible output representative of said magnetic field and indicative in general of any maintenance work that must be done to maintain optimum operating performance.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A power propulsion system performance analyzer for vehicles having electric traction motors, comprising a pathway for vehicle travel;
- stationary sensing means located in proximity to said pathway and positioned to sense magnetic fields produced by at least one selected operating electrical component of the propulsion systems of respective ones of said vehicles as they pass said sensing means and to produce respective signals in response to and indicative of the magnetic fields sensed; and
means for processing said signals to produce respective perceptible outputs representative of said magnetic fields and indicative in general of performance of respective electrical operating components of the vehicle whose magnetic fields were sensed and of any maintenance work that must be done to maintain optimum operating performance. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
- stationary sensing means located in proximity to said pathway and positioned to sense magnetic fields produced by at least one selected operating electrical component of the propulsion systems of respective ones of said vehicles as they pass said sensing means and to produce respective signals in response to and indicative of the magnetic fields sensed; and
Specification