Infrared remote sensing device and system for checking vehicle brake condition

An infrared remote sensing device for detecting a brake condition of a vehicle functioning under actual operating conditions comprising:

• infared remote sensing means for detecting infared energy from a pularlity of brake drums of the vehicle functioning under actual operating conditions;
• wherein said infrared remote sensing means includes;
• a plurality of infrared lenses, said plurality of infrared lenses each having predefined fields of view;
• a plurality of infrared detectors for detecting the infared energy from said plurality of brake drums of the vehicle functioning under actual operating conditions;
• and
• a plurality of choppers positioned between said plurality of infrared lenses and said plurality of infrared detectors, respectively, for interrupting flow of the infrared lenses and said plurality of infrared lenses to said plurality of infrared detectors.

An infrared remote sensing system for performing an inspection of a brake condition of a vehicle functioning under actual operating conditions comprising:

• recording means for recording sufficient information to identify the vehicle functioning under actual operating conditions and providing information about said vehicle;
• remote sensing means having a plurality of predefined fields of view for detecting infrared energy from a plurality of brake drums of said vehicle functioning under actual operating conditions and providing data;
• a computer for receiving and processing said information and said data;
• and
• display means for displaying said processed information and said data.

A method of remotely sensing the brake condition of a vehicle functioning under actual operating conditions using an infrared sensing means, a recorder, a computer, and a display, comprising the steps of:

• detecting the infrared energy emitted from at least one brake drum of said vehicle functioning under actual operating conditions using at least one infrared lens having a predefined field of view;
• providing data on said detected infrared energy to said computer;
• recording information about said vehicle functioning under actual operating conditions, which information is sufficient to identify the vehicle and providing said information to said computer;
• receiving and processing said data and said information by said computer;
• and
• displaying said data and said information.