• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

Motion Control Tips

Automation • Motion Control • Power Transmission

  • News
    • Industry News
    • Editor Blogs
  • Controls
    • HMIs
    • PC-Based Controllers
    • PLCs + PACs
    • Stand-Alone Controllers
    • Software
  • Drives
    • Servo Drives
    • Stepper Drives
  • Encoders
    • Absolute Encoders
    • Incremental Encoders
    • Rotary Encoders
  • Mechanical
    • Bearings
    • Brakes + Clutches
    • Belt + chain
    • Couplings
    • Gears + Gearing
    • Lubrication
    • Shock + Vibration Mitigation
    • Springs + Rings + Seals
  • Linear
    • Actuators
    • Linear Motors
    • Linear Encoders
  • Motors
    • AC Motors
    • DC Motors
    • Brushless Motors
    • Gearmotors
    • Piezo Motors
    • Servo Motors
    • Stepper Motors
  • Systems
    • Conveyors + linear transport systems
    • Gantries + Stages
    • Rotary Tables
    • Grippers + End Effectors
    • Robotics
  • Networks
    • Connections + Sliprings
    • Fieldbuses
    • I/O
    • Sensors + Vision
  • Resources
    • FAQs
      • Motion Casebook
      • Motion Selection Guides
    • Suppliers
    • Video
You are here: Home / Mechanical PT / Bearings / Schaeffler’s generator sensor bearing unit upgrades rail track safety

Schaeffler’s generator sensor bearing unit upgrades rail track safety

January 25, 2011 By Motion Control Tips Editor Leave a Comment

The Schaeffler Group has created an award-winning Train Support System out of its Generator Sensor Bearing (GSB). This unique, onboard unit allows the recording of information relevant to the condition of wheelsets, rail tracks and bearings, and sends the data to a higher level control system.

The evaluated information forms the basis for repair and maintenance actions and is critical for railway supervisory systems, including online timetable generation, localization, risk and process analysis, routing and others.

The Train Support System is a recipient of the Intelligence for Transportation and Logistics innovation award from the Center for Transportation & Logistics Neuer Adler e.V (CNA) in Germany.

The company’s axlebox bearing was used with an integrated GSB as the self-sustaining source of energy in rail freight wagons. Schaeffler designed the software and system electronics and incorporated them in the GSB to form an onboard unit.

Just like a dynamo, the GSB induces the needed electric power through the rotating movement of permanent magnets situated on the wheel axle. The power is usually around 100W at a nominal voltage of 24V. Hence, an independent, self-sustaining energy source is at hand, which offers additional functions via an electric storage unit, such as the detection of sensors and switches or the automatic opening of doors.

For the Train Support System, the company has upgraded the GSB with an advanced electronic system into an onboard unit and connected it with a higher-level information management system, enabling not only the processing and recording of signals in the bearing, but also the transmission of data via GPS satellite technology.

You Might Also Like

Filed Under: Bearings, Mechanical PT, Sensors + Vision Tagged With: Schaeffler Group

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Primary Sidebar

LEARNING CENTER

Design World Learning Center

Motion Control Handbook

“mct
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest info on technologies, tools and strategies for Design Engineering Professionals.

RSS Featured White Papers

  • Robotic Automation is Indispensable for the Logistics Industry’s Continued Growth and Success
  • Reliable Linear Motion For Packaging Machines
  • Polymers Outperform Metals In Precision Gearing

Footer

Motion Control Tips

DESIGN WORLD NETWORK

Design World Online
The Robot Report
Coupling Tips
Linear Motion Tips
Bearing Tips
Fastener Engineering.
Wire and Cable Tips

MOTION CONTROL TIPS

Subscribe to our newsletter
Advertise with us
Contact us
About us

Copyright © 2025 · WTWH Media LLC and its licensors. All rights reserved.
The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media.

Privacy Policy | RSS