ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR REPORTING VEHICLE BRAKE FRICTION LINING CONDITIONS

摘要

Reporting existence of a predetermined condition, such as wear level, of a brake friction lining (32) of a railway or other vehicle having a large number of braked wheel axle sets (12), particularly as a train (10) of wagons, comprises associating condition sensing apparatus (42, 52) and a wireless transmitter (72) of condition signals with each monitored brake and enabling a common receiver (78) to effect relative passage with respect to the braked wheel axle sets so that coupling of condition signals, if any, is enabled from the various wheel axle sets in turn. Conveniently, the receiver is off-vehicle and may be located track- or road-side to receive signals from passing trains or may be moved alongside a stationary train. Signals from different axle sets are isolated by each axle set being proximate the receiver only for a short time by a spatial or temporal transmission and reception envelope. An energy source (82) with the receiver may empower each transmitter in appropriate positional relationship, optionally also effecting transmission of a signal confirming correct operation absent a condition signal. Axle set positions relative to a datum point (12A) on the train are recorded, possibly by detecting passage, and correlated with condition signal reception to identify the position along the train of an axle having a worn brake lining. If the identities of wagons making up the train are recorded, condition signals may be referenced to identifiable wagons requiring brake attention after separation from the train.