Abstract: A method is provided for determining a magnitude of a mass to be placed on a wheel assembly using data from one or more inertial measurement units (IMU's). The one or more IMU's are mounted to a removably attachable object that is attached to a wheel of the vehicle in a manner that inhibits the object from coming off of the vehicle when the vehicle is in motion. Each of the IMU's include an accelerometer. A set of acceleration data is collected from the one or more IMU's while the vehicle is in motion. The acceleration data is applied to a predictive model to determine the magnitude of the mass.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining a magnitude of a mass to be placed on a wheel assembly using data from one or more inertial measurement units (IMU's). The one or more IMU's are mounted to a removably attachable object that is attached to a wheel of the vehicle in a manner that inhibits the object from coming off of the vehicle when the vehicle is in motion. Each of the IMU's include an accelerometer. A set of acceleration data is collected from the one or more IMU's while the vehicle is in motion. The acceleration data is applied to a predictive model to determine the magnitude of the mass.

Abstract: A method is provided for detecting vibrational anomalies of a vehicle using a plurality of devices that are removably attachable to the vehicle. One of the devices is removably attachable to a wheel assembly and includes an IMU configured to remotely collect data. At least one of the other devices is not attached to any of the wheel assemblies. Acceleration data is collected from the device that is removably attachable to the wheel assembly. Vibrational data is collected from at least one of the other devices that are not attached to any of the wheel assemblies. The acceleration data is analyzed from the device that is removably attachable to the wheel assembly to determine whether a vibrational anomaly exists in the wheel assembly. The vibrational data from the at least one of the other devices that are not attached to any of the wheel assemblies is analyzed to determine whether a vibrational anomaly exists.

Abstract: An apparatus is removably attached to lug nuts of a vehicle's wheel assembly for use in determining imbalance forces of the wheel assembly during motion of the vehicle. The apparatus includes a plurality of data collection devices. Each data collection device is removably attachable to one lug nut of the same wheel. Each data collection device includes a single cup-shaped object and a motion measurement sensor. The data collection object is mounted to the vehicle's wheel by fitting the cup-shaped object over the lug nut of the wheel. The motion measurement sensor measures parameters that are used for calculating the imbalance forces during motion of the vehicle. A processor receives the measured parameters from motion measurement sensors of each of the data collection devices and uses the measured parameters to identify an instantaneous center of rotation of the wheel assembly for use in determining imbalance forces of the wheel assembly of the vehicle during motion of the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus configured to be removably attached to a tire/hub assembly of a vehicle via lug nuts of the tire/hub assembly is used to determine imbalance forces of the tire/hub assembly during motion of the vehicle. The apparatus includes a disk and a plurality of cup-shaped objects fixed at one end to the disk and extending perpendicularly outward from the disk. The plurality of cup-shaped objects are arranged a fixed radial distance from a radial center of the disk in a pattern that matches the lug nuts of the tire/hub assembly. The apparatus is mounted to the vehicle's tire/hub assembly by fitting the plurality of cup-shaped objects over the lug nuts of the tire/hub assembly. The apparatus further includes one or more inertial measurement units (IMU's) mounted to the disk to measure parameters that are used for calculating the imbalance forces during motion of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method is provided 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. A wheel-mounted sensor ring is removably attached to a hub portion of a railcar wheel of a railcar wheelset. The sensor ring includes one or more sensors, such as inertial measurement units (IMU's), mounted thereto to measure parameters that are used for determining the anomalies during motion of the railcar wheel on the track. The railcar wheelset is moved on the track. The measured parameters are collected from the one or more sensors. The measured parameters are used for determining the anomalies during motion of the railcar wheel on the track.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining a location to place a mass on a wheel assembly. A first set of acceleration data is collected from a plurality of inertial measurement units (IMU's) that are mounted to a removably attachable object that is attached to a wheel of the vehicle in a manner that inhibits the object from coming off of the vehicle when the vehicle is in motion. The first set of acceleration data is collected while operating the vehicle at a first speed. The first set of acceleration data is used to determine an offset between a center of the object and a bearing center of the wheel assembly. A second set of acceleration data is collected from the plurality of inertial measurement units (IMU's). The second set of acceleration data is collected while operating the vehicle at second speed that is greater than the first speed.

Abstract: A method is provided for collecting measurement parameters related to imbalance forces of a tire/hub assembly of a vehicle during motion of the vehicle. An apparatus is removably attached to the tire/hub assembly of the vehicle via lug nuts of the tire/hub assembly. The apparatus includes a disk, a plurality of cup-shaped objects, and one or more inertial measurement units (IMU's) mounted to the disk. Each of the cup-shaped objects are rigidly fixed at one end to the disk and extend perpendicularly outward from the disk. The plurality of cup-shaped objects are arranged a fixed radial distance from a radial center of the disk in a pattern that matches the lug nuts of the tire/hub assembly. The one or more inertial measurement units (IMU's) are mounted to the disk and configured to measure parameters that are used for calculating the imbalance forces during motion of the vehicle.

Abstract: An axle-mounted sensor cuff is configured to be removably attachable to a hub portion of a railcar wheel of a railcar wheelset for use in determining anomalies associated with the railcar wheel, 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 sensor cuff includes one or more sensors, such as inertial measurement units (IMU's), mounted thereto to measure parameters that are used for determining the anomalies during motion of the railcar wheel on the track. In addition, a wheel-mounted sensor ring is configured to be removably attachable to a hub portion of a railcar wheel of a railcar wheelset for use in determining anomalies associated with the railcar wheel, or a railcar bogie assembly that the railcar wheelset is part of, or a track, during motion of the railcar wheelset on a track.

Abstract: A modular fabrication tool for prefabricating insulation for a duct segment includes at least three interchangeable and detachably connected panels, each panel of the at least three panels corresponding to a respective side of the duct segment. Each panel includes at least one of a connecting bar extending beyond a periphery of the respective panel or a connecting track. A connecting bar of one panel is received by a connecting track of a neighboring panel when two neighboring panels are properly positioned, adjoined together, whereby a retaining pin of the tool is advanceable through aligned, respective apertures of the connecting track and the connecting bar received therein.

Abstract: A lubricant applicator for a ball hitch includes a diaphragm assembly, a hollow support structure, and preferably, a removable cover. The diaphragm assembly includes a diaphragm member and may also include a peripheral sidewall. The diaphragm member has a non-permeable top surface having an inner facing surface and an outer facing surface. A central region of the inner facing surface is coated with lubricant that is releasable from the inner facing surface when pressed against an external surface and, optionally, rotated slightly. The hollow support structure has a peripheral sidewall. The diaphragm assembly is positionally secured within the hollow support structure to provide a unitary structure.

Abstract: A wheel-mounted sensor ring is configured to be removably attachable to a hub portion of a railcar wheel of a railcar wheelset for use in determining anomalies associated with the railcar wheel, 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 sensor ring includes one or more sensors, such as inertial measurement units (IMU's), mounted thereto to measure parameters that are used for determining the anomalies during motion of the railcar wheel on the track.

Abstract: An axle-mounted sensor cuff is configured to be removably attachable to a hub portion of a railcar wheel of a railcar wheelset for use in determining anomalies associated with the railcar wheel, 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 sensor cuff includes one or more sensors, such as inertial measurement units (IMU's), mounted thereto to measure parameters that are used for determining the anomalies during motion of the railcar wheel on the track.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining vibrational anomalies of a vehicle. An object is removably attached to a wheel of the vehicle in a manner that inhibits the object from coming off of the vehicle when the vehicle is in operation. The object includes one or more inertial measurement units (IMU's) mounted to the object and configured to measure parameters that are used for calculating the vibrational anomalies when the vehicle is in operation. Motion data captured by the one or more IMU's is collected. The collected motion data is processed to determine the presence of one or more vibrational anomalies of the vehicle. A recommended corrective action to be taken is determined when the result of the processed data indicates the presence of one or more vibrational anomalies of the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus configured to be removably attached to a tire/hub assembly of a vehicle via lug nuts of the tire/hub assembly is used to determine imbalance forces of the tire/hub assembly during motion of the vehicle. The apparatus includes a disk and a plurality of cup-shaped objects fixed at one end to the disk and extending perpendicularly outward from the disk. The plurality of cup-shaped objects are arranged a fixed radial distance from a radial center of the disk in a pattern that matches the lug nuts of the tire/hub assembly. The apparatus is mounted to the vehicle's tire/hub assembly by fitting the plurality of cup-shaped objects over the lug nuts of the tire/hub assembly. The apparatus further includes one or more inertial measurement units (IMU's) mounted to the disk to measure parameters that are used for calculating the imbalance forces during motion of the vehicle.

Abstract: A lubricant applicator for a ball hitch includes a diaphragm assembly, a hollow support structure, and preferably, a removable cover. The diaphragm assembly includes a diaphragm member and may also include a peripheral sidewall. The diaphragm member has a non-permeable top surface having an inner facing surface and an outer facing surface. A central region of the inner facing surface is coated with lubricant that is releasable from the inner facing surface when pressed against an external surface and, optionally, rotated slightly. The hollow support structure has a peripheral sidewall. The diaphragm assembly is positionally secured within the hollow support structure to provide a unitary structure.

Abstract: An apparatus configured to be removably attached to a tire/hub assembly of a vehicle via lug nuts of the tire/hub assembly is used to determine imbalance forces of the tire/hub assembly during motion of the vehicle. The apparatus includes a disk and a plurality of cup-shaped objects fixed at one end to the disk and extending perpendicularly outward from the disk. The plurality of cup-shaped objects are arranged a fixed radial distance from a radial center of the disk in a pattern that matches the lug nuts of the tire/hub assembly. The apparatus is mounted to the vehicle's tire/hub assembly by fitting the plurality of cup-shaped objects over the lug nuts of the tire/hub assembly. The apparatus further includes one or more inertial measurement units (IMU's) mounted to the disk to measure parameters that are used for calculating the imbalance forces during motion of the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus configured to be removably attached to a tire/hub assembly of a vehicle via lug nuts of the tire/hub assembly is used to determine imbalance forces of the tire/hub assembly during motion of the vehicle. The apparatus includes a disk and a plurality of cup-shaped objects fixed at one end to the disk and extending perpendicularly outward from the disk. The plurality of cup-shaped objects are arranged a fixed radial distance from a radial center of the disk in a pattern that matches the lug nuts of the tire/hub assembly. The apparatus is mounted to the vehicle's tire/hub assembly by fitting the plurality of cup-shaped objects over the lug nuts of the tire/hub assembly. The apparatus further includes one or more inertial measurement units (IMU's) mounted to the disk to measure parameters that are used for calculating the imbalance forces during motion of the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus configured to be removably attached to a tire/hub assembly of a vehicle via lug nuts of the tire/hub assembly is used to determine imbalance forces of the tire/hub assembly during motion of the vehicle. The apparatus includes a disk and a plurality of cup-shaped objects fixed at one end to the disk and extending perpendicularly outward from the disk. The plurality of cup-shaped objects are arranged a fixed radial distance from a radial center of the disk in a pattern that matches the lug nuts of the tire/hub assembly. The apparatus is mounted to the vehicle's tire/hub assembly by fitting the plurality of cup-shaped objects over the lug nuts of the tire/hub assembly. The apparatus further includes one or more inertial measurement units (IMU's) mounted to the disk to measure parameters that are used for calculating the imbalance forces during motion of the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus configured to be removably attached to a tire/hub assembly of a vehicle via lug nuts of the tire/hub assembly is used to determine imbalance forces of the tire/hub assembly during motion of the vehicle. The apparatus includes a disk and a plurality of cup-shaped objects fixed at one end to the disk and extending perpendicularly outward from the disk. The plurality of cup-shaped objects are arranged a fixed radial distance from a radial center of the disk in a pattern that matches the lug nuts of the tire/hub assembly. The apparatus is mounted to the vehicle's tire/hub assembly by fitting the plurality of cup-shaped objects over the lug nuts of the tire/hub assembly. The apparatus further includes one or more inertial measurement units (IMU's) mounted to the disk to measure parameters that are used for calculating the imbalance forces during motion of the vehicle.