The Fundamentals of Infrared Hotbox Detection

Existing data on railroad car plain bearing temperatures are presented and interpreted by means of equivalent thermal circuits. Analyzing the radiation from the car truck, relating it to the characteristics of infrared measuring equipment, and discussing the handling of resulting data-all suggest approaches to more efficient use of wayside hotbox detectors. Effects of some ambient phenomena are presented, and further study of transient temperature conditions following lubrication failure is suggested.