Failed bearing indicator

• US 6,237,877 B1
• Filed: 02/07/2000
• Issued: 05/29/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Safety Devices, LLC
• Original Assignee: Safety Devices, LLC
• Inventors: Wallace, James L., Broussard, Ronney L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Morano, S. Joseph
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jules, Frantz F.
• Application Number:
  US09/500,344
• Time in Patent Office: 477 Days
• Field of Search: 246/169 A, 246/169 R, 246/DIG. 2, 246/201, 246/171, 105/157.1, 105/182.1, 105/217, 105/218.1, 105/219, 105/220, 105/221.1
• US Class Current: 246/169.00A
• CPC Class Codes: B61K 9/04 Detectors for indicating the overheating of axle bearings and the like, e.g. associated with the brake system for applying the brakes in case of a fault
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 11/06 using melting, freezing, or softening
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 246/02 Thermal sensing devices

Abstract

A failed bearing indicator for detecting and indicating an overheated axle journal in a railcar axle bearing. In a preferred embodiment the failed bearing indicator is characterized by an elongated connector chain terminated on each end by a T-shaped connector bracket. Each of the connector brackets is typically bolted to a common pedestal adaptor which is mounted on each corresponding axle bearing of the railcar, and one of the fastening bolts is constructed of a heat-resistant material and the other fastening bolt is constructed of a heat-sensitive material. In the event that the axle bearing overheats during travel of the railcar on the railroad, the heat-sensitive bolt melts and releases the corresponding connector bracket from the pedestal adaptor, while the other connector bracket, secured by the heat-resistant bolt, remains attached to the pedestal adaptor. The released connector bracket, suspended from the connector chain, strikes and activates a typically conventional dragging equipment sensor adjacent to the railroad, to alert railroad personnel to the overheated bearing before complete failure of the bearing. In another embodiment a rectangular offset bend connector plate is provided on each end of the connector chain in place of the connector brackets, to facilitate attachment of the connector chain to the pedestal adaptor. In still another embodiment, the connector brackets or offset bend connector plates are provided on opposite ends of an elongated, flexible connector cable instead of the connector chain.

Claims

1. A failed bearing indicator for indicating an overheated axle on a railcar by activating a dragging equipment indicator adjacent to a railroad, said failed bearing indicator comprising an elongated, flexible connector having a first end for attachment to the railcar and a second end spaced from said first end;

a substantially heat-resistant first fastener engaging said first end of said connector for fastening said first end of said connector to the railcar; and

a substantially heat-sensitive second fastener engaging said second end of said connector for fastening said second end of said connector to the railcar, whereby said second fastener releases said second end of said connector from the railcar as said first end of said connector remains fastened to said first fastener, and said second end of said connector swings downwardly from said second fastener and strikes and activates the dragging equipment indicator, responsive to overheating of the axle.

2. The failed bearing indicator of claim 1 wherein said connector comprises an elongated connector chain of selected length.

3. The failed bearing indicator of claim 1 wherein said first fastener comprises a bolt.

4. The failed bearing indicator of claim 3 wherein said connector comprises an elongated connector chain of selected length.

5. The failed bearing indicator of claim 1 wherein said second fastener comprises a bolt.

6. The failed bearing indicator of claim 5 wherein said connector comprises an elongated connector chain of selected length.

7. The failed bearing indicator of claim 5 wherein said first fastener comprises a bolt.

8. The failed bearing indicator of claim 7 wherein said connector comprises an elongated connector chain of selected length.

9. The failed bearing indicator of claim 1 comprising a connector plate provided on said second end of said connector for contacting the dragging equipment indicator, and wherein said second fastener engages said connector plate.

10. The failed bearing indicator of claim 9 wherein said connector comprises an elongated connector chain of selected length.

11. The failed bearing indicator of claim 9 wherein said first fastener comprises a bolt.

12. The failed bearing indicator of claim 11 wherein said connector comprises an elongated connector chain of selected length.

13. The failed bearing indicator of claim 9 wherein said second fastener comprises a bolt.

14. The failed bearing indicator of claim 13 wherein said connector comprises an elongated connector chain of selected length.

15. The failed bearing indicator of claim 13 wherein said first fastener comprises a bolt.

16. The failed bearing indicator of claim 15 wherein said connector comprises an elongated connector chain of selected length.

17. A failed bearing indicator or mounting on a pedestal adaptor of a railcar and indicating an overheated axle on the railcar by striking and activating a dragging equipment indicator adjacent to a railroad, said failed bearing indicator comprising an elongated, flexible connector chain having a first end and a second end spaced from said first end;

a first, substantially T-shaped connector bracket carried by said first end of said connector chain and a first fastener engaging said first connector bracket for fastening said first connector bracket to the pedestal adaptor; and

a second, substantially T-shaped connector bracket carried by said second end of said connector chain and a second fastener engaging said second connector bracket for attaching said second connector bracket to the pedestal adaptor, said first fastener constructed of a substantially heat-resistant material and said second fastener constructed of a substantially heat-sensitive material, whereby said second fastener melts and releases said second connector bracket from the pedestal adaptor and said second connector bracket swings downwardly from said second fastener and strikes and activates the dragging equipment indicator as said first connector bracket remains fastened to said first fastener, responsive to overheating of the axle.

18. The failed bearing indicator of claim 17 wherein said first fastener comprises a bolt for threadibly engaging said pedestal adaptor.

19. The failed bearing indicator of claim 18 wherein said second fastener comprises a second bolt for threadibly engaging said pedestal adaptor.

20. A failed bearing indicator for mounting on a pedestal adaptor of a railcar and indicating an overheated axle on the railcar by dropping from a secured to a suspended configuration from the railcar and striking and activating a dragging equipment indicator adjacent to a railroad, said failed bearing indicator comprising an elongated, flexible connector chain having a first end and a second end spaced from said first end;

a first connector bracket carried by said first end of said connector chain and a second connector bracket carried by said second end of said connector chain, said first connector bracket and said second connector bracket each comprising a bracket arm having a straight segment, an angled segment extending from one end of said straight segment in angled relationship to said straight segment for engaging said connector chain and a bracket plate provided on the other end of said straight segment of said bracket arm;

a substantially heat-resistant attachment bolt engaging said bracket plate of said first connector bracket for fastening said first connector bracket to the pedestal adaptor; and

a substantially heat-sensitive release bolt engaging said bracket plate of said second connector bracket for attaching said second connector bracket to the pedestal adaptor, whereby said release bolt melts and releases said second connector bracket from the pedestal adaptor and said second connector bracket strikes and actives the dragging equipment indicator as said first connector bracket remains fastened to said attachment bolt, responsive to overheating of the axle.