Resonant signal analysis-based inspection of rail components
First Claim
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1. A method for resonant signal analysis-based inspection of a rail component, the method comprising:
- detecting and recording resonances produced by vibrations of a spectrum of frequencies in an in-situ rail component as resonance data;
determining a set of characteristics of resonant peaks within each of a plurality of frequency bands of interest across a wide range of frequencies of the resonance data;
comparing the set of characteristics with an expected resonance profile for the rail component, wherein the expected resonance profile includes a set of expected characteristics for each of the plurality of frequency bands of interest; 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 acquire the resonance signals from the wheel.
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21 Claims
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1. A method for resonant signal analysis-based inspection of a rail component, the method comprising:
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detecting and recording resonances produced by vibrations of a spectrum of frequencies in an in-situ rail component as resonance data; determining a set of characteristics of resonant peaks within each of a plurality of frequency bands of interest across a wide range of frequencies of the resonance data; comparing the set of characteristics with an expected resonance profile for the rail component, wherein the expected resonance profile includes a set of expected characteristics for each of the plurality of frequency bands of interest; and determining a condition of the rail component based on the comparing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system for resonant signal analysis-based inspection of a rail component, the system comprising:
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means for detecting resonant vibrations created in an in-situ rail component by vibrations of a spectrum of frequencies in the rail component; 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 each of a plurality of frequency bands of interest across a wide range of frequencies of the resonance data; comparing the set of characteristics with an expected resonance profile for the rail component, wherein the expected resonance profile includes a set of expected characteristics for each of the plurality of frequency bands of interest; and determining a condition of the rail component based on the comparing. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A system for resonant signal 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 each of a plurality of frequency bands of interest across a wide range of frequencies of the resonance data; comparing the set of characteristics with an expected resonance profile for the railroad wheel, wherein the expected resonance profile includes a set of expected characteristics for each of the plurality of frequency bands of interest; and determining an overall condition of the railroad wheel based on the comparing. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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Specification