Abstract: An ultrasonic distance measuring system for monitoring railroad car loads. The system includes an ultrasonic transducer, a pulse generation and detection circuit and a measurement circuit. The transducer produces a transmitted ultrasonic pulse beam to be directed at a load in a railroad car and receives a return pulse beam from the load. The pulse generation and detection circuit is coupled to the transducer and causes the transducer to produce the transmitted pulse beam. A return pulse beam is detected by the pulse generation and detection circuit. The measurement circuit is coupled to the pulse generation and detection circuit and generates a measurement signal representative of the load as a function of the time delay between the transmitted and return pulse beams.

Abstract: A remotely operated rail car status monitor and control system including a plurality of handbrake status and release monitors (HSRMs), each of which is mounted to an individual rail car of a train, and a handheld data terminal (HDT). The HSRMs are self-contained electronic sensing and control devices capable of short range radio frequency (RF) communication with the HDT, and are mounted to rail car handbrakes configured for remote release. Each HSRM is programmed with a unique ID code which corresponds to the rail car's identifier. The HSRMs monitor and record the operational state of systems on the rail car such as the handbrake, load weight and refrigerator car temperature. Operating characteristics of the train such slid wheel events and handling impacts can be monitored and stored. Systems of the rail car such as the handbrake can also be released or otherwise controlled.