Wheelset monitoring system
First Claim
1. A thermal warning device for detection of a potential bearing failure in a wheel assembly comprising:
- a housing having an insert portion for insertion into the wheel assembly;
a bore extending through said insert portion, said bore having a distal end; and
a temperature sensor, responsive to an elevated temperature indicative of the potential bearing failure, said temperature sensor being adjustably positioned through said distal end of said bore such that at least a portion of said temperature sensor is external to said bore;
wherein said temperature sensor adjustably slides through said distal end of said bore to adjust to inner dimensions of the wheel assembly as said insert portion is inserted into the wheel assembly.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A thermal warning device attaches to a wheel assembly of a railway car to detect whether the wheel assembly has reached high temperatures and may lead to a potential bearing failure. A temperature sensor for monitoring the temperature of the wheel assembly is coupled to an electronic circuit for determining whether a bearing failure may occur based on the temperatures detected by the temperature sensor. In particular, the temperature sensor adjustably extends into the wheel assembly in order to obtain accurate readings of high temperatures in wheel assembly. Also, the electronic circuit is situated away from the outer surface of the wheel assembly so that the electronic circuit will not be subjected to heat from the wheel assembly and may freely dissipate heat produced by its own components. Upon determination of a warning condition, the electronic circuit transmits a warning signal to a wayside station or train crew. Optionally, the electronic circuit may include a wireless transmitter for communication with an in-cab receiver.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A thermal warning device for detection of a potential bearing failure in a wheel assembly comprising:
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a housing having an insert portion for insertion into the wheel assembly; a bore extending through said insert portion, said bore having a distal end; and a temperature sensor, responsive to an elevated temperature indicative of the potential bearing failure, said temperature sensor being adjustably positioned through said distal end of said bore such that at least a portion of said temperature sensor is external to said bore; wherein said temperature sensor adjustably slides through said distal end of said bore to adjust to inner dimensions of the wheel assembly as said insert portion is inserted into the wheel assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A thermal warning device for detection of a potential bearing failure in a wheel assembly comprising:
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a housing having an insert portion for insertion into the wheel assembly; a bore extending through said insert portion, said bore having a first end and a second end; and a temperature sensor, responsive to an elevated temperature indicative of the potential bearing failure, having a base at one end and a tip at an opposite end, said temperature sensor being adjustably positioned through said first end of said bore such that said base is within said bore whereas said tip is external to said bore; wherein said temperature sensor adjustably slides through said first end of said bore to adjust to inner dimensions of the wheel assembly as said insert portion is inserted into the wheel assembly. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A thermal warning device for detection of a potential bearing failure in a wheel assembly comprising:
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a housing having an insert portion, a separating portion and a circuit portion; said separating portion of said housing having a shoulder positioned adjacent to the wheel assembly and a connecting section distal from said shoulder; said circuit portion of said housing being integrally attached to said connecting section of said separating portion, said circuit portion having a planar surface directed toward the wheel assembly that is distal from the wheel assembly at a predetermined distance; and an electronic circuit located in said circuit portion for determining whether the potential bearing failure may occur; wherein said separating portion of said housing separates said circuit portion of said housing from the wheel assembly so that a substantial gap of thermal insulation is created between said electronic circuit and the wheel assembly. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification