Detection of overheated railroad wheel and axle components
US5149025A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 13, 1991 |
| Grant date | Sep 22, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 13, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB61K9/06
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Overheated railroad journal bearings, wheels, and other wheel components on a moving or stationary railroad train are detected by amplifying the current signal from an infrared radiation sensor comprising a pytoelectric cell. A reference temperature is sensed by chopping the incident infrared radiation with an asynchronous shutter that momentarilly closes at successive time spacings of shorter duration than the scanning period of the sensor. The amplified signal is converted to a digital signal and processed by a microcontroller and associated hardware and software. The detector automatically and periodically calibrates itself and compensates the temperature signals for any temperature difference between the ambient external temperature and the temperature inside the detector housing. The output signal may be digital or analog.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.