Patent US2737398A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3038512A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3727045A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sensing system and device
Assignee: 3M Co
•
Filing: 1970-12-28
•
Granted: 1973-04-10
•
Expires: 1990-12-28
Abstract
Abstract A novel device and system are provided for the detection of overheated journals and bearings on a moving vehicle. In one embodiment retroreflective material is propelled to the roadway beneath the vehicle, e.g., a train, to form a target. The target is then exclusively detected by an optical scanner located on a rearward portion of the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 J Warren
- 👤 R Wilcox
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 16:06
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61K; B61K9/00; B61K9/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A system for detecting overheated journals or bearings on a moving vehicle comprising a. heat sensing means which is adapted to actuate when a journal or bearing reaches a predetermined temperature, b. target-producing means comprising 1. a housing, and 2. a marker within said housing which is adapted to be displaced from said housing to the roadway to form a visibly detectable target upon the actuation of said heat sensing means, and c. an optical scanning device located on a rearward portion of said vehicle which is adapted to scan the roadway beneath said vehicle and which is further adapted to exclusively detect said target and thereafter produce a warming signal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
111 words
A system for detecting overheated journals or bearings on a moving vehicle comprising a. heat sensing means which is adapted to actuate when a journal or bearing reaches a predetermined temperature, b. target-producing means comprising 1. a housing, and 2. a marker within said housing which is adapted to be displaced from said housing to the roadway to form a visibly detectable target upon the actuation of said heat sensing means, and c. an optical scanning device located on a rearward portion of said vehicle which is adapted to scan the roadway beneath said vehicle and which is further adapted to exclusively detect said target and thereafter produce a warming signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
71 words
a marker within said housing which is adapted to be displaced from said housing to the roadway to form a visibly detectable target upon the actuation of said heat sensing means, and c. an optical scanning device located on a rearward portion of said vehicle which is adapted to scan the roadway beneath said vehicle and which is further adapted to exclusively detect said target and thereafter produce a warming signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
71 words
a marker within said housing which is adapted to be displaced from said housing to the roadway to form a visibly detectable target upon the actuation of said heat sensing means, and c. an optical scanning device located on a rearward portion of said vehicle which is adapted to scan the roadway beneath said vehicle and which is further adapted to exclusively detect said target and thereafter produce a warming signal.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
40 words
A system for detecting overheated journals or bearings on a moving vehicle comprising a. at least one heat sensing device adapted to actuate when a journal or bearing on said vehicle reaches a predetermined temperature; b. a target-producing means comprising
Claim 6
Independent Claim
40 words
A system for detecting overheated journals or bearings on a moving vehicle comprising a. at least one heat sensing device adapted to actuate when a journal or bearing on said vehicle reaches a predetermined temperature; b. a target-producing means comprising
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
2 words
a housing,
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
2 words
a housing,
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
propellant means which is adapted to actuate upon receipt of an electrical current from said source when said hEat sensing device is actuated,
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
propellant means which is adapted to actuate upon receipt of an electrical current from said source when said hEat sensing device is actuated,
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 2, wherein said source of electrical energy is a battery.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 2, wherein said propellant means comprises an explosive charge which is adapted to detonate upon receipt of said electrical current.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
70 words
a marker within said housing which is adapted to be displaced from said housing to the roadway to form a visibly detectable target upon the actuation of said propellant means, and c. an optical scanning device located on a rearward portion of said vehicle which is adapted to scan the roadway beneath said vehicle and which is further adapted to exclusively detect said target and thereafter produce a warning signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
70 words
a marker within said housing which is adapted to be displaced from said housing to the roadway to form a visibly detectable target upon the actuation of said propellant means, and c. an optical scanning device located on a rearward portion of said vehicle which is adapted to scan the roadway beneath said vehicle and which is further adapted to exclusively detect said target and thereafter produce a warning signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 2, wherein said marker comprises light-reflecting means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 5, wherein said marker comprises fluorescent material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 5, wherein said marker comprises retroreflective material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 5, wherein said battery is located within said housing and is electrically connected in series between said heat sensing device and said explosive charge.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-09 | 1976-10-09 | 1977-04-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-09 | 1980-10-09 | 1981-04-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-09 | 1984-10-09 | 1985-04-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |