Abstract: A high speed thermal imaging system includes a thermal imaging camera, the camera including a lens. The housing further includes a front portion and rear portion. The camera and lens are disposed in the housing, which further includes an opening on the front portion. The lens has a field of view through the opening. A rotating shutter disposed in the housing. The rotating shutter may be located between the opening and the optical path of the thermal sensor. The housing may be disposed near a rail track. The lens has a field of view for an object or objects of interest, such as a high speed passing train that includes bearings and brakes of railcar vehicles, (i.e. locomotives, railcars, etc.). The camera may be operable to capture thermal images of the passing rail vehicle wheels including the bearing and brake areas.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for sensing the temperature of bearings of vehicles traveling along a track, the apparatus including a linear-array infrared detector positioned adjacent to the track. The output from the linear-array infrared detector is scanned at a scanning rate that is regulated according to the vehicle's velocity, and this output is compared to predetermined thresholds to indicate excessive heat produced by the wheels and/or bearings.