Real Time Thermal Mapping Techniques for Elastomeric Track Components

Acquisition of accurate, real-time measurements of track component temperatures is necessary for establishing the requirements for improved parts and materials. To support this, Templeman Automation LLC. (TA) has developed its Wireless Track Temperature Monitoring (WTTM) system using embedded, battery-free RFID sensor chips. WTTM uniquely combines industry-proven miniature RFID sensor chip technology from Phase IV Engineering with wireless, mesh-network telemetry capabilities and ultra-rugged monolithic packaging. Phase IV RFID sensors have been successfully integrated into compression-cast rubber components and have proven mechanical survivability when integrated with a T158 backer pad. Because the read range of passive RFID sensors is necessarily limited, WTTM applies Phase IV sensor chips in a TA measurement suite that wirelessly transmits real-time data to one or more visualization/storage terminals via a ZigBee mesh network. This allows test personnel on or off a full-speed moving vehicle to monitor real-time internal track component temperatures, up to 1000 feet away. WTTM has the advantage of having no moving parts or critical mechanical sensing connections, allowing the hardware to be fully potted and monolithic.