Roller bearing hot box sensor

• US 4,443,119 A
• Filed: 05/05/1982
• Issued: 04/17/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Original Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Inventors: Snider, Hugh H. Jr., Marion, Richard A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Goldberg, Gerald
• Assistant Examiner(s): Roskos, Joseph W.
• Application Number:
  US06/375,141
• Time in Patent Office: 713 Days
• Field of Search: 374/153, 337/384, 337/395
• US Class Current: 374/153
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 13/08 in rotary movement
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 5/483 using materials with a configuration memory, e.g. Ni-Ti alloys

Abstract

A roller bearing hot box sensor utilizing a metallic temperature sensitivelongated wire element. The wire element contracts at temperatures in the range of about 125° F. to about 225° F. so that when the contraction movement of the wire is attached to a connector means that operates a firing pin. Movement of the wire element initiates an electrical battery or other power source and thereby transmits electrical current to a signaling device, that gives a signal.

Claims

1. A roller bearing, hot box temperature sensor designed to be mounted in a train with wheels, where the sensor functions to control and stop the train in response to temperature changes sensed in the wheel bearing assembly comprising a housing for mounting a temperature sensor in close proximity to a train wheel bearing assembly with an opening within said housing combined with metallic means capable of contracting in response to rapid increases in temperature and where one end of the metallic sensing means is permanently fixed on one end to the wheel bearing assembly and the opposite end of the metallic means is attached to a mechanical control means that is actuated by contraction of the said metallic means and where the contraction of the metallic means functions, through the mechanical control means to stop the train wheels when a certain temperature is reached.

2. The sensor of claim 1 wherein the metallic element is connected to an electrical power source that is activated by contraction of the metallic element.

3. The temperature sensor of claim 1 wherein the temperature sensitive metallic elements is a Nitinol wire having a transition temperature in the range of 125°

F. to 225°

F.

4. The temperature sensor of claim 1 wherein the temperature sensitive metallic elements is a metal alloy that has a shape memory effect at temperatures above room temperature.

5. A roller bearing, hot box, temperature sensor comprising a housing for mounting a temperature sensor in close proximity to a train wheel bearing, an elongated slotted opening designed to accommodate an elongated metallic alloy sensing cable, the said housing being mounted adjacent to and in close proximity with a train wheel roller bearing adapter, wherein the housing is fitted with means for fastening the housing to the roller bearing adapter, an elongated temperature sensing cable located in the said elongated slotted opening said cable being fixed on one end and in operating contact with a cam device on the other end.

6. The temperature sensor of claim 5 wherein the temperature sensing cable is Nitinol.

7. The temperature sensor of claim 6 wherein the Nitinol cable is pulled over a pulley that is intermediate, between one fixed end that is in operational attachment to a cam opener and one end that is attached to a cam follower device.

8. The temperature sensor of claim 6 wherein the Nitinol cable consists of an alloy of approximately 55% nickel and 45% titanium.

9. The temperature sensor of claim 8 wherein the transition temperature is in the range of 125°

F. to 225°

F.

10. The temperature sensor of claim 5 wherein the housing is in contact with the wheel roller bearing adapter.