摘要 |
Events in a vehicle are monitored by producing electrical outputs representative of events in the vehicle, comparing characteristics of one event with characteristics of other events accumulated over a given period of time and determining departures of a given extent from the other characteristics as an indication of a significant event, and sending a warning in response to the indication, particularly with the position of the vehicle determined by a global position indicator on the vehicle. In an embodiment a microcomputer responds to the outputs of an accelerometer system mounted on a railroad car by comparing acceleration characteristics of one impact with accumulated acceleration characteristics of other impacts and determining departures of a given extent from other characteristics as a failure indication, signalling a warning in response to the indication. One of the outputs is in the vertical direction to test the vehicle suspension. Position of the vehicle is captured periodically in periods of less than two minutes and sent with the warning signal. |