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System and method for monitoring condition of rail car wheels, brakes and bearings

  • US 8,439,315 B2
  • Filed: 07/27/2010
  • Issued: 05/14/2013
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2009
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method for determining a condition of a component of a rail car in motion, the method comprising:

  • disengaging a brake of a rail car wheel for a first desired length of time;

    focusing a first bearing thermal sensor with a first focusing lens on a desired area of a bearing of a rail car;

    detecting, with the first bearing thermal sensor, a first temperature of the rail car wheel;

    applying the brake to the rail car wheel for a second desired length of time;

    focusing a second bearing thermal sensor with a second focusing lens on a desired area of the bearing of the rail car;

    detecting, with the second bearing thermal sensor, a second temperature of the rail car wheel; and

    comparing the first temperature to the second temperature to determine whether a component of the rail car has failed or is failing.

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