Overview
Real-Time Axle Bearing Failure Prevention with Infrared Thermography
Axle bearing damage can cause wheel and axle fracture and derailment.
Conventional inspections cannot monitor bearing temperature during operation.
Higher train speed and frequency increase the need for real-time monitoring.
Wayside IR cameras capture thermal images to monitor axle temperature in real time.
The system detects axle bearing damage early, and supports safe and efficient maintenance.
Core Competencies
Purpose
Real-time wayside infrared monitoring of axle bearing temperature to detect damage early and prevent wheel/axle fracture and derailment.
Infrared thermal images capture the outer surface temperature along the whole axle in real time for early detection of bearing damage.
640×512-pixel IR images are processed at 30 Hz with 0.05°C temperature sensitivity for accurate axle bearing condition monitoring.
High-durability module system for wayside installation; prototype completed and performance verified through on-site tests (Sep. 2025).
Expected Benefits
Low-Cost, High-Efficiency Monitoring
– Low-cost, high-efficiency temperature monitoring prevents major railway accidents in advance.
Improved Inspection Efficiency
– Real-time diagnosis enhances the efficiency of rolling stock inspection.
Safer Train Operation
– Smart maintenance system application helps ensure safe train operation.
Certifications
Performance verified in field tests (Sep. 2025).
TRL 6
Prototype performance evaluation completed
Contact
Korea Railroad Research Institute (KRRI)
Global Business Department
Dr. Jeongguk Kim
E-mail: jkim@krri.re.kr