Method and apparatus for monitoring bearings
First Claim
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1. A method for reducing false train stops, said method comprising:
- receiving, at a processing unit, inputs from a hot box detection system;
generating, using the processing unit, a bearing profile for each bearing passing the hot box detection system, wherein each bearing profile includes a plurality of temperature readings of the bearing associated with the bearing profile;
assigning, using the processing unit, a profile classification to each bearing profile;
determining a quantity of bearing profiles assigned to each profile classification; and
generating a maintenance alert if the quantity of bearing profiles assigned to any individual profile classification exceeds a configurable count threshold.
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Abstract
A system to facilitate reducing false train stops includes an infrared bearing scanner that is coupled to a processing unit. The processing unit is programmed to receive inputs from the infrared bearing scanner, generate a bearing profile for each bearing passing the Hot Box Detection System, assign a classification to each bearing profile, determine a quantity of bearing profiles assigned to each classification, and generate a maintenance alert if the quantity of bearings assigned to at least one classification exceeds a predetermined threshold. A method of reducing false trains stops is also described herein.
34 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for reducing false train stops, said method comprising:
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receiving, at a processing unit, inputs from a hot box detection system; generating, using the processing unit, a bearing profile for each bearing passing the hot box detection system, wherein each bearing profile includes a plurality of temperature readings of the bearing associated with the bearing profile; assigning, using the processing unit, a profile classification to each bearing profile; determining a quantity of bearing profiles assigned to each profile classification; and generating a maintenance alert if the quantity of bearing profiles assigned to any individual profile classification exceeds a configurable count threshold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A hot box detection system configured for detecting overheated railroad journal bearings, said hot box detection system comprising:
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an infrared bearing scanner; and a processing unit coupled to said infrared bearing scanner, said processing unit programmed to; receive inputs from said infrared bearing scanner; generate a bearing profile for each bearing passing the infrared bearing scanner, wherein each bearing profile includes a plurality of temperature readings of the bearing associated with the bearing profile; assign a profile classification to each bearing profile; determine a quantity of bearing profiles assigned to each profile classification; and generate a maintenance alert if the quantity of bearing profiles assigned to any individual profile classification exceeds a configurable count threshold. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification