Abstract:
A two-level alarm monitor for use with a hot box detector system of the type having first and second sensors each associated with a rail of a track is provided. The monitor includes means connected to the outputs of the sensors for obtaining the difference between the output signals of the sensors and for comparing the difference alternately to first and second predetermined levels which may, for example, represent ''''warm'''' and ''''hot'''' differential alarm levels or differential alarm levels for friction and roller bearings. The outputs of the sensors are also alternately compared with third and fourth predetermined levels which could, for example, represent ''''warm'''' and ''''hot'''' absolute alarm levels or absolute alarm levels for friction or roller bearings. The output signals from the comparators are demultiplexed and utilized to generate an alarm signal in the event differential signals or absolute alarm signals exceed associated predetermined levels.
Abstract:
An apparatus for measuring the length of a moving railroad train is provided. The apparatus includes two sensors mounted on a rail of the track in relatively close proximity to one another and two counting circuits, each of which is operatively connected to the sensors and counts the pulses from an associated fixed frequency pulse generator. The first counting circuit is enabled when a wheel passes the first sensor and disabled when that wheel passes the second sensor. The second counting circuit counts the pulses during the time interval between successive wheels passing one of the sensors. An arithmetic unit is also provided which computes the quotient of the counts of the first and second counting circuits. The quotient is directly proportional to the distance between the successive wheels. The arithmetic unit also sums the quotient for each set of successive wheels and this sum is directly proportional to the total length of the train.
Abstract:
A railroad wheel defect-detecting device is described. An accelerometer senses the vibrations induced in a test rail by a railroad wheel traveling thereon. The test rail is vibrationally isolated from adjacent train tracks and ground vibrations to permit sensing of train wheel defects such as flat spots on wheels, loose couplings, dragging equipment and the like. Defects are recognized when the sensed vibrations exceed preselected maximum tolerable levels, said levels being fixed or automatically regulated to compensate for varying train conditions. Identification of each wheel having a defect is provided as well as optional car identification.