Ensco, Inc.

William L Jordan

Gary A Carr

John K Kesler

Daniel J Fullum

A vertical load measurement device and a method for measuring a load at least partially supported by an axle of a railcar are disclosed. The measurement device includes a bearing adapter sized to be mounted between a load bearing member of the railcar and an axle bearing housing of the railcar. The beam member has a first end and a second end, at least one end being secured to the bearing adapter, and a midsection extending between the ends which supports the load applied by the load bearing member of the railcar. The midsection of the beam member is vertically spaced from the bearing adapter to allow deflection of the beam member in response to the load applied by the load bearing member. The vertical load measurement device also includes a sensor secured to the beam member which measures the deflection of the beam member.

Axle vertical load measurement device and method

The crosslevel measuring adapter includes a battery-powered electronic level sensor, a processor unit, a display, and data, display and power switches mounted in a housing through which an inclination measuring bar passes. The adapter unit may be mounted anywhere intermediate the ends of the bar which engage spaced railroad tracks during a measurement cycle. When the power switch is activated, the adapter initiates a zero mode to determine an automatic zero offset value to be automatically applied to subsequent crosslevel measurement values. The adapter calculates warp and crosslevel index values from a plurality of crosslevel measurements, and if the warp or crosslevel index values exceed respective threshold levels, automatic display of the value is initiated. Otherwise, measured crosslevel values are automatically displayed and calculated values are displayed by activation of the display switch.

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Washington, DC, United States of America

William L Jordan