US 12,145,639 B2
Method for determining anomalies associated with a railcar wheelset, or a railcar bogie assembly that the railcar wheelset is part of, or a track using a wheel-mounted sensor ring apparatus
Stephen T. Buchanan, Landenberg, PA (US); and Eric L. Canfield, Downingtown, PA (US)
Assigned to NVH TECHNOLOGY LLC, Coatesville, PA (US)
Filed by BALANCED ENGINEERING SOLUTION, LLC, Towson, MD (US)
Filed on Aug. 14, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/233,541.
Application 18/233,541 is a continuation of application No. 17/952,787, filed on Sep. 26, 2022, granted, now 11,731,673.
Prior Publication US 2024/0109565 A1, Apr. 4, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B61L 15/00 (2006.01); B61F 15/20 (2006.01); B61K 9/08 (2006.01); G01M 17/10 (2006.01)
CPC B61L 15/0081 (2013.01) [B61F 15/20 (2013.01); B61K 9/08 (2013.01); G01M 17/10 (2013.01)] 4 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for determining anomalies associated with a railcar wheel of a railcar wheelset, or a railcar bogie assembly that the railcar wheelset is part of, or a track, during motion of the railcar wheelset on a track, the method comprising:
(a) removably attaching an apparatus to a hub portion of a railcar wheel of a railcar wheelset, the apparatus including:
(i) a first semicircular portion having distal ends, the first semicircular portion having a half-ring shape, and having an outer sidewall surface and an inner sidewall surface;
(ii) a second semicircular portion having distal ends, the second semicircular portion having a half-ring shape, and having an outer sidewall surface and an inner sidewall surface;
(iii) a fastener located at each of the distal ends of the first semicircular portion, and a fastener located at each of the distal ends of the second semicircular portion, the fasteners allowing the first semicircular portion and the second semicircular portion to attach to each other at their respective distal ends to form a circular ring;
(iv) one or more magnets fixedly attached to the inner sidewall surface of the first semicircular portion, and one or more magnets fixedly attached to the inner sidewall surface of the second semicircular portion, the magnets allowing for the apparatus to be removably attached to the hub portion of the railcar wheel; and
(v) one or more sensors mounted to the first semicircular portion, and one or more sensors mounted to the second semicircular portion, the sensors being configured to measure parameters that are used for determining the anomalies during motion of the railcar wheel on the track;
(b) moving the railcar wheelset on the track; and
(c) collecting the measured parameters from the one or more sensors, the measured parameters being used for determining the anomalies during motion of the railcar wheel on the track.