The evaluation of a rail disc brake braking process by using a thermal camera

In the rail vehicles due to the ever-increasing speed a disc brake is used as a friction brake which gradually displaces the brake-blocks. In the public transport vehicles, electrical traction units or subway; the disc break collaborates with an electrodynamic brake that limits the use of the friction brake with a simultaneous possibility of power return due to the generator character of the traction engines work. Prior to the release of brake for testing, the tests are carried out on the break positions, wherein one of the measurements is the measurement of the disc temperature by the use of thermocouples. The aim of this article is to present the use of a thermal imaging camera while testing the disc brake friction pair elements in the breaking process evaluation.