Amsted Rail Company, Inc.

Justin M Lidgett

Andrew H Martin

Evan Weiner

Armand P Taillon

System and methods for detecting an operational status of a valve or passageway on a railway asset. The methods may comprise: resiliently biasing a magnet in a direction away from a wireless sensor node coupled to the passageway; determining that the passageway is in an open position when the wireless sensor node is neutrally polarized (the data collection device being neutrally polarized when the magnet is distant therefrom); causing the magnet to move in a direction towards the wireless sensor node responsive to a cover of the passageway being closed; and determining that the passageway is in a closed position when the wireless sensor node is magnetically polarized (the wireless sensor node being magnetically polarized when the magnet is proximate thereto).

Sensing method, system and assembly for railway assets

A system, method and assembly for detecting the operational status of one or more discharge gates on one or more railcars. The system and method monitor parameters that include whether the discharge gate is open or closed, whether the railcar is in motion or not, and whether the railcar is in a location where it is acceptable for the discharge gate to be open. Sensors carry out the monitoring, and the information obtained by monitoring the parameters are used to determine if a notification event has taken place and if so, a notification of such event can be transmitted to a remote receiver. A change in the status of any one of the monitored parameters can trigger the determination of whether a notification event has occurred.

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Burleson, TX, United States of America

Justin M Lidgett