The Robotics Institute

Carnegie Mellon Robotics Institute

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Abstract

Advances in communication electronics and battery technologies as well as innovative packaging ideas have lead to the development of a thermal sensor bolt which provides for real-time, continuous monitoring of bearing temperatures. The thermal sensor replaces a standard bearing end cap bolt at each end of an axle. The thermal sensor and transmitter are contained in the body of the bolt. When activated, transmit a distress signal directly to the engineer in the locomotive. The system consists of a battery as a power source, a thermomechanical sensor and actuator, a transmitter, and a receiver. Tests in railroad service continue at Burlington Northern Railroad as the SMART-BOLT production models are manufactured. Commercialization of the technology is currently under development for application of the SMART-BOLT throughout the industry.

Notes

Associated Center(s) / Consortia: National Robotics Engineering Center

Number of pages: 6

Note: Cat. No. 90CH2947-0

Text Reference

John G. Tabacchi, R.R. Newman, R.C. Leedham, D.A. Purta, G.G. Madered, and R. Galli, "Hot Bearing Detection with the "SMART-BOLT"," Proceedings of the 1990 ASME/IEEE Joint Railroad Conference, April, 1990, pp. 105 - 110.

BibTeX Reference

@inproceedings{Tabacchi_1990_3900,
   author = "John G Tabacchi and R.R. Newman and R.C. Leedham and D.A. Purta and G.G. Madered and R. Galli",
   title = "Hot Bearing Detection with the "SMART-BOLT"",
   booktitle = "Proceedings of the 1990 ASME/IEEE Joint Railroad Conference",
   pages = "105 - 110",
   month = "April",
   year = "1990",
   Notes = "Cat. No. 90CH2947-0"
}

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