Flexible sensor interface for a railcar truck

US7698962B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Amsted Rail Company, Inc. · US

Inventors

• William LeFebvre · West Chester, US
• Michael J. McCann · Chadds Ford, US
• Frank Backo, III · Olyphant, US
• Andrew H. Martin · West Chester, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 22, 2006
• Grant date: Apr 20, 2010
• Expiry date: Jan 3, 2027

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F16C2326/10
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A sensor interface is disclosed including a flexible substrate in which are embedded sensors for measuring physical parameters such as temperature, displacement, velocity, acceleration, stress, strain, pressure and force present between objects such as a railcar bearing and a truck side frame. The substrate is positioned between the objects of interest Electronic components such as a data processing unit, a data storage device, a communication device and a power source may also be embedded within the substrate. The electronic devices communicate with one another and the sensors to process signals generated by the sensors indicative of the parameters being measured.