Ultrasonic Spectroscopic Analysis-Based Inspection of Rail Components
First Claim
1. A method for resonant ultrasonic analysis-based inspection of a rail component, the method comprising:
- inducing a spectrum of frequencies into an in-situ rail component;
detecting and recording resonances produced by the induced frequencies as resonance data;
determining a set of characteristics of resonant peaks within a frequency band of interest of the resonance data;
comparing the set of characteristics with an expected resonance profile; and
determining a condition of the rail component based on the comparing.
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Abstract
A solution for evaluating the condition of a rail component based on resonant response profiles across a set of bands of vibrations. The vibrations can be induced into the target component during normal operation of the target component. The resonant response profile of the rail component can vary depending on wear or damage, and thus can be used to determine whether the rail component can safely remain in use. An embodiment comprises an isolated segment of rail of a length selected to allow a single railroad wheel on it at a time, with a set of devices which can induce specific vibrations into the wheel as it passes, and another set of devices which can acquire the resonance signals from the wheel.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for resonant ultrasonic analysis-based inspection of a rail component, the method comprising:
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inducing a spectrum of frequencies into an in-situ rail component; detecting and recording resonances produced by the induced frequencies as resonance data; determining a set of characteristics of resonant peaks within a frequency band of interest of the resonance data; comparing the set of characteristics with an expected resonance profile; and determining a condition of the rail component based on the comparing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9)
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8. The method of claim 8, further comprising refining the expected resonance profile prior to use based on a prediction based on the set of prior inspections.
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10. A system for resonant ultrasonic-analysis based inspection of a rail component, the system comprising:
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means for inducing vibrations of a spectrum of frequencies into an in-situ rail component; means for detecting resonant vibrations created in the rail component by the induced vibrations; and a computer system for evaluating the rail component by performing a method including; recording the detected resonant vibrations as resonance data for the rail component; determining a set of characteristics of resonant peaks within a frequency band of interest of the resonance data; comparing the set of characteristics with an expected resonance profile; and determining a condition of the rail component based on the comparing. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A system for resonant ultrasonic-analysis based inspection of a railroad wheel, the system comprising:
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means for detecting resonant vibrations created in a railroad wheel during operation of the railroad wheel on a rail vehicle; and a computer system for evaluating the railroad wheel by performing a method including; recording the detected resonant vibrations as resonance data for the railroad wheel; determining a set of characteristics of resonant peaks within a frequency band of interest of the resonance data; comparing the set of characteristics with an expected resonance profile for the railroad wheel; and determining a condition of the railroad wheel based on the comparing. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification