System and method for monitoring the condition of a vehicle

• US 6,985,803 B2
• Filed: 05/30/2002
• Issued: 01/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Azzaro, Steven Hector, Daniel, Cecil M., Abdel-Malek, Aiman Albert, Hedeen, Robert A., Cryer, Robert D., Handler, Larry R.
• Primary Examiner(s): LOUIS JACQUES, JACQUES H
• Application Number:
  US10/159,512
• Publication Number:
  US 20040019577A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,321 Days
• Field of Search: 701 19- 20, 701 29- 36, 246/1.R, 246/167.R, 246/122.R, 246/169.R, 246/174, 246/182.R, 246/182.A, 246/182.B, 246/183, 340438-439, 340/425.5, 340/426.13, 340 33- 332, 340343-344, 340/540
• US Class Current: 701/33
• CPC Class Codes: B61K 9/00 Railway vehicle profile gauges; Detecting or indicating overheating of components; Apparatus on locomotives or cars to indicate bad track sections; General design of track recording vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C

Abstract

A system for monitoring the condition of a vehicle has at least one wireless transmitter in on the vehicle, and in communication with the vehicle computer system. Data representative of operating parameters generated during the operation of the vehicle is downloaded to the transmitter, which transmits the data to a wireless receiver positioned proximal to a path of travel of the vehicle. The receiver is linked to a processor for transmission of the data to the processor for storage and processing if necessary. The system may also include at least one sensor, positioned proximal the path of travel, for detecting a physical phenomenon emanating from at least one vehicle component. The sensor generates a signal, which is transmitted to the processor. The processor is capable of analyzing the signal generating data indicative of operating condition of the vehicle component. The sensor, and/or receiver, mounted to a structure positioned proximal the path of travel of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring the condition of a vehicle, comprising:

(a) a structure positioned proximal to a path of travel followed by said vehicle wherein the structure comprises a first wall panel positioned on a first side of the path of travel of the vehicle and a second wall panel is positioned on a second side of the path of travel of the vehicle;

(b) an array of off-board sensors mounted to the structure and not on the vehicle, for detecting physical phenomena emanating from the vehicle and associated with a plurality of operating parameters of the vehicle, as said vehicle passes said structure along the path of travel wherein the sensors are mounted on one or both of the panels;

(c) said sensors detecting said physical phenomena emanating from the vehicle without contacting the vehicle, and generating a signal responsive to said phenomena detected; and

(d) a processor in communication with the sensor, for receiving said signal transmitted from the sensors and for processing said signal.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the structure further comprises a roof panel extending over the path of travel of the vehicle and is mounted to a top end of each of the first wall panel and second wall panel forming an enclosure having an entrance and exit for the vehicle.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein in the vehicle is a locomotive and the path of travel is a locomotive track and the structure comprises a first wall panel positioned on a first side of the locomotive track and a second wall panel is positioned on a second side of the locomotive track and an array of sensors is mounted on one or both of the panels.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the structure further comprises a roof panel extending over the locomotive track and is mounted to a top end of each of the first wall panel and second wall panel forming an enclosure having an entrance and exit for the locomotive.