Defect detection in freight railcar tapered-roller bearings using vibration techniques

Abstract Currently, there are two types of defect detection systems used to monitor the health freight railcar bearings in service: wayside hot-box and trackside acoustic systems. These have proven be inefficient accurately determining bearing health, especially early stages development. To that end, a prototype onboard condition monitoring system has been developed validated through extensive laboratory testing designated field test 2015 at Transportation Technology Center, Inc. Pueblo, CO. The devised can reliably characterize based on vibration thresholds identify defective tapered-roller components with areas smaller than 12.9 cm 2 while service.