System and method for the detection of faults in rails
First Claim
1. A system for the detection of defects in rails, the system comprising a source of ultrasonic waves for emitting ultrasonic waves onto a rail, a detector for detecting ultrasonic waves reflected or otherwise scattered by the rail or defects therein and a mist generator arranged, in use, to expose one or both of the rail and source of ultrasonic waves to a mist of liquid, thus enabling the formation of an ultrasound-transmissive interface between the rail and the source of ultrasonic waves, the system comprising a mist accelerator for accelerating the droplets forming the mist towards the rail subsequent to generation of the mist.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system (1) for the detection of defects in rails (12), the system comprising a source of ultrasonic waves for emitting ultrasonic waves onto a rail, a detector for detecting ultrasonic waves reflected or otherwise scattered by the rail or defects therein and a mist generator (3) arranged, in use, to expose one or both of the rail and source of ultrasonic wave to a mist of liquid, thus enabling the formation of an ultrasound-transmissive interface between the rail and the source of ultrasonic waves.
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Citations
18 Claims
- 1. A system for the detection of defects in rails, the system comprising a source of ultrasonic waves for emitting ultrasonic waves onto a rail, a detector for detecting ultrasonic waves reflected or otherwise scattered by the rail or defects therein and a mist generator arranged, in use, to expose one or both of the rail and source of ultrasonic waves to a mist of liquid, thus enabling the formation of an ultrasound-transmissive interface between the rail and the source of ultrasonic waves, the system comprising a mist accelerator for accelerating the droplets forming the mist towards the rail subsequent to generation of the mist.
- 15. A kit for assisting in detecting defects in rails, the kit comprising a means for generating a mist of liquid and one or both of (i) a bracket for mounting a mist generator on a track defect detection vehicle so that the mist generator is in spaced relation to a source of ultrasonic waves and (ii) a source of ultrasonic waves.
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17. A method of detecting defects in rails, the method comprising:
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(i) exposing one or both of a rail and a source of ultrasonic waves to a mist of liquid, thus enabling the formation of an ultrasound-transmissive interface between the rail and the source of ultrasonic waves; (ii) passing ultrasonic waves through said interface onto said rail; and (iii) sensing for ultrasonic waves reflected or otherwise scattered from said rail or defects therein, the reflected or otherwise scattered ultrasonic waves sensed being indicative of the absence or presence of one or more defects in the rail, the droplets forming the mist being accelerated towards the rail subsequent to generation of the mist. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification