AUTOMATED APPROACH TO ULTRASONIC RAIL FLAW DETECTION

A brief description is given of an ultrasonic rail flaw detection and analysis system. System components include a microcomputer designed by ENSCO for real time automated data analysis, pulse-echo electronics and sensor probe carriage equipment. The system operates by introducing ultrasonic pulses into the rail from 16 transducers located on the sensor probe carriage. A binary data stream is produced from the returning ultrasonic signals by electronically performing amplitude threshold tests in time gates which correspond to specific regions of the rail being investigated. The resulting binary data can be displayed on an event pen recorder for manual analysis and is input to the microcomputer for automatic identification of the structural signals returning from the rails.

  • Supplemental Notes:
    • Proc Southeastern Reg 3 Conf Williamsburg, Virginia, April 4-6, 1977.
  • Corporate Authors:

    Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

    3 Park Avenue, 17th Floor
    New York, NY  United States  10016-5997
  • Authors:
    • Howerter, E D
    • Demuth, H P
    • Ceccon, H L
    • Mould, J C
  • Conference:
  • Publication Date: 1977

Media Info

  • Features: References;
  • Pagination: p. 303-306

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00170470
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: Engineering Index
  • Report/Paper Numbers: N 77CHO 1233-6 Reg 3Proceeding
  • Files: TRIS
  • Created Date: Feb 16 1978 12:00AM