DETECTION OF FLAWS IN RAILROAD WHEELS USING ACOUSTIC SIGNATURES

A system for automatic inspection of railroad wheels using acoustic signatures is proposed. There is a discussion of the types of defects which need to be found. The main components of a system are then outlined. It is concluded that impact is the best way to excite the wheel into vibration because of the rich spectrum of resonances generated. Detection of sound radiated into the air by a microphone is the best way to obtain the acoustic signature for finding cracks in the rim or plate, but flat spots or shattered rims are best detected with an accelerometer mounted on the rail. Methods of processing the signals from the detection transducers are then examined. Finally some preliminary laboratory and field tests of such systems are described.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Contributed by the Rail Transportation Division of ASME for presentation at the Winter Annual Meeting, Atlanta, Georgia, November 27-December 2, 1977.
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Mechanical Engineers

  Two Park Avenue
  New York, NY  United States  10016-5990
• Authors:
  • Nagy, K
  • Dousis, D A
  • Finch, R D
• Publication Date: 1977

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 7 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Acoustics; Automation; Defects; Detectors; Information processing; Inspection; Research projects; Wheels
• Uncontrolled Terms: Research programs
• Old TRIS Terms: Wheel defects; Wheel flaws
• Subject Areas: Railroads; Research; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00168018
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: American Society of Mechanical Engineers
• Report/Paper Numbers: 77-WA/RT-1 Conf Paper
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 30 1978 12:00AM