Flaw detection system for railroad rails and the like
First Claim
1. Apparatus for detecting flaws in a railroad rail, the apparatus comprising;
- means for transmitting ultrasonic signals into the railroad rail and for receiving associated echo signals from within the railroad rail;
distance measuring means for measuring the length of the railroad rail;
micro-processor means for dividing the railroad rail into a plurality of rail segments, said micro-processor means being responsive to operator-supplied data and to said distance measuring means for determining a length of each of said rail segments;
means for selectably applying predetermined amounts amplification to said associated echo signals received from within each of said plurality of rail segments; and
means responsive to said selectably amplified echo signals for providing indications of flaws within the railroad rail.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Rail testing apparatus, particularly useful at the point of manufacture, for detecting flaws in railroad rails. A number of transducers transmit ultrasonic sound waves into a rail under test and receive the associated echo signals. The apparatus advantageously divides the rail into a plurality of measured rail segments and the amount of amplification applied to the associated echo signals may be varied over each rail segment, thus providing the ability to selectively increase or decrease the sensitivity of the testing apparatus. The amplified echo signals are selectively applied to detection apparatus with a positive and negative gating scheme to increase system accuracy and reliability.
54 Citations
8 Claims
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1. Apparatus for detecting flaws in a railroad rail, the apparatus comprising;
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means for transmitting ultrasonic signals into the railroad rail and for receiving associated echo signals from within the railroad rail; distance measuring means for measuring the length of the railroad rail; micro-processor means for dividing the railroad rail into a plurality of rail segments, said micro-processor means being responsive to operator-supplied data and to said distance measuring means for determining a length of each of said rail segments; means for selectably applying predetermined amounts amplification to said associated echo signals received from within each of said plurality of rail segments; and means responsive to said selectably amplified echo signals for providing indications of flaws within the railroad rail. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. Apparatus for detecting flaws in a railroad rail, the apparatus comprising;
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means for transmitting ultrasonic signals into the railroad rail and for receiving associated echo signals reflected from within the railroad rail; distance measuring means for measuring the length of the railroad rail; micro-processor means responsive to operator provided input data and to said distance measuring means for dividing the railroad rail into a plurality of predetermined measured rail segments and for applying predeterminable amounts of amplification to said associated echo signals received from said predetermined measured rail segments of the railroad rail; means responsive to said amplified echo signals for providing indications for flaws within the railroad rail; and means for selectively transferring said amplified echo signals from said supplying means to said providing means. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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Specification