Thermal measuring and testing – Thermal testing of a nonthermal quantity
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-12
2001-09-11
Gutierrez, Diego (Department: 2859)
Thermal measuring and testing
Thermal testing of a nonthermal quantity
C374S104000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06286992
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a method of monitoring the temperature of axles to determine the physical condition of the axles. The axle temperatures are used to indicate potential physical damage to the axles.
Vehicle axles require lubrication for proper performance, maintenance, and safe use of the axles. When a leak occurs in an axle housing that contains the lubricant, the temperature of the axle and the remaining oil increases which, in turn, may lead to physical failure of the axle. Additionally, when an axle has endured severe physical treatment or abuse, the temperature of the axle also increases. Both situations, low level of the oil in the axle housing and excessive physical abuse to the axle, lead to potential physical damage to the axle.
Presently, to diagnose the physical condition of an axle, the driver of the vehicle is required to routinely check the oil level in the axle housing. A low level is indicative of a leak within the housing which would require repair of the housing and replacement of oil. By checking the level, the driver makes a determination as to the physical condition of the axle. In situations where the level is low, the driver must determine whether the respective axle has experienced excessive conditions which may lead to failure of or damage to the axle during further use of the vehicle. In situations where the lubricant level is not low, the driver must still determine whether the axle has endured physically abusive conditions, which could also lead to failure of or damage to the axle during further use of the vehicle.
The current method of routinely checking the level of axle housings is somewhat time consuming. This current method requires the driver to intermittently and manually look towards the hub to check the level of the oil. A considerable amount of time is usually taken to make this determination.
Additionally, in many situations, this current method is inaccurate because it relies on the driver's judgment regarding axle conditions. As stated, the level of oil is only one indication of probable failure of the axle. Moreover, in many circumstances, the driver is not technically trained in determining the physical condition of the axle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In a disclosed embodiment of the invention, a method of monitoring the temperature of axles is used to determine the physical condition of the axles. The present invention eliminates the need for the driver of the vehicle to physically check the level of the oil in each axle housing to determine the physical condition of each axle. Instead the driver can check the physical condition of the axles while operating the vehicle. This provides a more time efficient, accurate, and safe way to monitor the physical condition of the axles of a vehicle.
The present invention includes a method of monitoring the temperature of axles, which generally comprises reading temperatures from the axles of a vehicle, sending temperature signals of the read temperatures, receiving the temperature signals, performing computations of the read temperatures, comparing the computations with expected temperatures, and sending warning signals when necessary. A temperature sensor may be used to read temperatures of the axles and send temperature signals.
The temperature signals may be sent to a control which performs the computations and compares the computations with expected temperatures. Moreover, the control may send warning signals to a display, indicating the physical condition of the axles.
Alternatively, the temperature signals may be sent directly to the display from which the driver may determine the temperature status and physical condition of the axles.
In yet another example of the present invention, the temperature signals may be stored in the temperature sensor from which, at a later time, the temperature signals may be taken for analysis.
These and other features of the present invention can be understood from the following specifications and drawings.
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Carlson & Gaskey & Olds
Gutierrez Diego
Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems LLC
Verbitsky Gail
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