Patent US4200856A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4200856A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Differential clamp-on railway vehicle wheel detector
Assignee: Trane US Inc
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Filing: 1978-06-01
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Granted: 1980-04-29
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Expires: 1998-06-01
Abstract
Abstract A railway car wheel detection arrangement employing a pair of clamp-on sensor units which are spaced apart a given distance and are positioned on the upper surface of the base flange of the track rail. Each of the sensor units includes an elongated epoxy glass board member having a reduced intermediate portion to which is attached a strain gage element. A pair of C-shaped clamps securely holds each of the sensor units to the base flange of the rail. The strain gage element is placed in tension by the stress in the track rail under the load of a wheel of a railway car to vary its resistance value which results in the unbalancing of a differential bridge circuit to produce a signal signifying the presence of a car wheel.
Inventors
- 👤 Heinz Gilcher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 20:04
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61L; B61L1/00; B61L1/16; B61L1/163; B61L1/164; B61L1/02; B61L1/025; G; G01; G01P; G01P3/00; G01P3/64; G01P3/66
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A differential detecting device for sensing a passing object moving along a trackway comprising, a pair of sensing units each positioned at a given spaced location along the trackway, said sensing units each including a base support member and a strain gage element, each of said strain gage elements bonded to a respective one of said base support members, and clamping means for firmly holding said sensing units to the base flange of the trackway for allowing said strain gage elements to detect the stress which is imparted to the trackway under the load of the passing objects.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
98 words
A differential detecting device for sensing a passing object moving along a trackway comprising, a pair of sensing units each positioned at a given spaced location along the trackway, said sensing units each including a base support member and a strain gage element, each of said strain gage elements bonded to a respective one of said base support members, and clamping means for firmly holding said sensing units to the base flange of the trackway for allowing said strain gage elements to detect the stress which is imparted to the trackway under the load of the passing objects.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The differential detecting device as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said base support members includes a reduced central portion to which said strain gage element is bonded by adhesive material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The differential detecting device as defined in claim 1, wherein said trackway includes standard track rails for supporting the wheels of railway vehicles.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The differential detecting device as defined in claim 3, wherein said sensing units are disposed on the base flange of one of said track rails, and a pair of C-shaped clamps hold said sensing units to the base flange of said one of said truck rails.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The differential detecting device as defined in claim 1, wherein said base support member is a rectangular insulative board including an upper planar surface to which said strain gage element is bonded.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The differential detecting device as defined in claim 1, wherein said base support member includes a pair of indentations for accommodating the tips of screws of said clamping means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The differential detecting device as defined in claim 1, wherein a protective cover member is situated over said sensing units and is secured in place to shield said sensing units.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The differential detecting device as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said strain gage elements takes the form of a resistance element which changes its resistive value under the stress of the passing objects.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The differential detecting device as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said strain gage elements includes a pair of conductive leads which are connected to a differential bridge.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The differential detecting device as defined in claim 1, wherein said base support member is an elongated board which is disposed along the longitudinal axis of said track rail.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-04-29 | 1983-10-29 | 1984-04-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-04-29 | 1987-10-29 | 1988-04-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-04-29 | 1991-10-29 | 1992-04-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |