Patent ID: 9200994
Filing Date: 2015-12-01
Classification: B61H,G01N

Abstract:
1. A device for sensing a tension at least partially attained on a force-producing chain of a railroad handbrake, the railroad handbrake having a housing and a chain application and release mechanism at least partially disposed within the housing and including at least a ratchet wheel, a release shaft and a pawl mounted for a rotation thereon and engaging the ratchet wheel, the force-producing chain connected at one end thereof to the chain application and release mechanism and connectable at the opposite end thereof to a brake rigging of a railcar, said device comprising: (a) an elongated bore formed through a thickness of a body of the pawl so that the pawl is also mounted for a generally linear reciprocal movement in a direction being generally transverse to a rotational axis thereof; (b) a sensor target disposed on and attached to an exterior surface of the body of the pawl for each of said rotational movement and said generally linear movement during handbrake application and release; and (c) a sensor mounted proximal to an upper portion of the housing in a position to sense said generally linear movement of said sensor target.