Abstract: A system (10) for sensing a condition of a rail vehicle undercarriage component (e.g., 18) includes a sensor (e.g., 12) comprising an array of infrared sensing elements (29). Each of the elements may be aimed at a different region of a target area (e.g., 32) of a rail vehicle undercarriage component to generate respective scanning waveform signature data corresponding to each different region. The sensor may be oriented so that at least one of the elements receives unobstructed infrared emissions (e.g., 33) from the undercarriage component of a rail vehicle passing the sensor. The system also includes a memory (42) for storing characteristic waveform signature data corresponding to known undercarriage components.

Abstract: A system (10) for sensing a condition of a rail vehicle undercarriage component (e.g., 18) includes a sensor (e.g., 12) comprising an array of infrared sensing elements (29). Each of the elements may be aimed at a different region of a target area (e.g., 32) of a rail vehicle undercarriage component to generate respective scanning waveform signature data corresponding to each different region. The sensor may be oriented so that at least one of the elements receives unobstructed infrared emissions (e.g., 33) from the undercarriage component of a rail vehicle passing the sensor. The system also includes a memory (42) for storing characteristic waveform signature data corresponding to known undercarriage components.

Abstract: A rail sensing and analysis system utilizes a laser sensor 105, 107 to detect displacement of a rail 102, 104 resulting from loads imposed by a passing rail vehicle. Vertical and/or lateral displacements/loads may be sensed. Signatures in the resulting signals are indicative of useful information about the rail vehicle; such as wheel condition, bearing condition, truck condition, degree of bogie hunting, total load, load distribution, etc. The ratio of Lateral over Vertical force (L/V) may be used as an evaluation criterion.

Abstract: A system (10) for sensing a condition of a rail vehicle undercarriage component (e.g., 18) includes a sensor (e.g., 12) comprising an array of infrared sensing elements (29). Each of the elements may be aimed at a different region of a target area (e.g., 32) of a rail vehicle undercarriage component to generate respective scanning waveform signature data corresponding to each different region. The sensor may be oriented so that at least one of the elements receives unobstructed infrared emissions (e.g., 33) from the undercarriage component of a rail vehicle passing the sensor. The system also includes a memory (42) for storing characteristic waveform signature data corresponding to known undercarriage components.

Abstract: A rail sensing and analysis system utilizes a laser sensor 105, 107 to detect displacement of a rail 102, 104 resulting from loads imposed by a passing rail vehicle. Vertical and/or lateral displacements/loads may be sensed. Signatures in the resulting signals are indicative of useful information about the rail vehicle; such as wheel condition, bearing condition, truck condition, degree of bogie hunting, total load, load distribution, etc. The ratio of Lateral over Vertical force (L/V) may be used as an evaluation criterion.

Abstract: A system (10) for sensing a condition of a rail vehicle undercarriage component (e.g., 18) includes a sensor (e.g., 12) comprising an array of infrared sensing elements (29). Each of the elements may be aimed at a different region of a target area (e.g., 32) of a rail vehicle undercarriage component to generate respective scanning waveform signature data corresponding to each different region. The sensor may be oriented so that at least one of the elements receives unobstructed infrared emissions (e.g., 33) from the undercarriage component of a rail vehicle passing the sensor. The system also includes a memory (42) for storing characteristic waveform signature data corresponding to known undercarriage components.