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US 6,237,877 B1Granted
Failed bearing indicator
OwnerJames L. Wallace, Ronney L. Broussardinventors
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OwnerJames L. Wallace, Ronney L. Broussardinventors
Estimating the term…
A failed bearing indicator for detecting and indicating an overheated axle journal in a railcar axle bearing. In a preferred embodiment the failed bearing indicator is characterized by an elongated connector chain terminated on each end by a T-shaped connector bracket. Each of the connector brackets is typically bolted to a common pedestal adaptor which is mounted on each corresponding axle bearing of the railcar, and one of the fastening bolts is constructed of a heat-resistant material and the other fastening bolt is constructed of a heat-sensitive material. In the event that the axle bearing overheats during travel of the railcar on the railroad, the heat-sensitive bolt melts and releases the corresponding connector bracket from the pedestal adaptor, while the other connector bracket, secured by the heat-resistant bolt, remains attached to the pedestal adaptor. The released connector bracket, suspended from the connector chain, strikes and activates a typically conventional dragging equipment sensor adjacent to the railroad, to alert railroad personnel to the overheated bearing before complete failure of the bearing. In another embodiment a rectangular offset bend connector plate is provided on each end of the connector chain in place of the connector brackets, to facilitate attachment of the connector chain to the pedestal adaptor. In still another embodiment, the connector brackets or offset bend connector plates are provided on opposite ends of an elongated, flexible connector cable instead of the connector chain.
A failed bearing indicator for indicating an overheated axle on a railcar by activating a dragging equipment indicator adjacent to a railroad, said failed bearing indicator comprising an elongated, flexible connector having a first end for attachment to the railcar and a second end spaced from said first end;
A failed bearing indicator or mounting on a pedestal adaptor of a railcar and indicating an overheated axle on the railcar by striking and activating a dragging equipment indicator adjacent to a railroad, said failed bearing indicator comprising an elongated, flexible connector chain having a first end and a second end spaced from said first end;
A failed bearing indicator for mounting on a pedestal adaptor of a railcar and indicating an overheated axle on the railcar by dropping from a secured to a suspended configuration from the railcar and striking and activating a dragging equipment indicator adjacent to a railroad, said failed bearing indicator comprising an elongated, flexible connector chain having a first end and a second end spaced from said first end;
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.