Listening to Bearings Before They Fail
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Why Bearings Deserve Attention Bearings are among the most stressed parts of any train. Each axle box contains bearings that are asked to carry heavy loads for thousands of hours. When one of them begins to fail the warning signs are faint. A rise in heat is sometimes noticed but only after the damage is advanced. Sound and vibration give an earlier signal and this is why two technologies are gaining attention. How an Acoustic Bearing Detector Works An acoustic bearing detector is placed beside the track and it listens to passing trains. Sounds produced by rollers and races are captured by sensitive microphones. Software is then used to separate healthy noise from the harsh patterns that indicate pitting or cracks. An alert is raised when a suspect bearing is identified. Trains do not need to stop and no crew has to inspect the wheels by hand. What a Vibration Monitoring System Adds A vibration monitoring system takes a different route. Sensors are fixed to the bearing hous...
