CONSEQUENCES OF VARIATIONS IN ULTRASONIC WHEEL PROBES FOR AUTOMATED RAIL FLAW DETECTION SYSTEMS
At the Transportation Systems Center, an ongoing project is the development of a computer-based Automated Rail Flaw Detection System. The core of this system is ultrasonics. An ultrasonic signal is both transmitted and received by one or more transducers that are mounted in fluid-filled wheels that scan the rails. The wheels and associated electronics are mounted on a Track Inspection Vehicle. At present, one of the technological problems that is holding back the development of the Automatic Flaw Detection System is the lack of standardization in the production of the wheel probes. Minor variations in the wheel probe significantly affect the rail area to be measured. Similarly, small differences in signal strength, water path length and internal fluid temperature also significantly affect results.
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Supplemental Notes:
- Ultrasonic Symposium Proceedings, Phoenix, Arizona, October 26-28, 1977.
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Corporate Authors:
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
3 Park Avenue, 17th Floor
New York, NY United States 10016-5997 -
Authors:
- Bush, M W
- Conference:
- Publication Date: 1977
Media Info
- Pagination: p. 20-23
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Defects; Detection and identification; Inspection; Inspection cars; Railroad rails; Rolling stock; Sensors; Testing; Ultrasonic tests; Ultrasonics; Wheels
- Uncontrolled Terms: Rail flaw detection
- Subject Areas: Railroads; Vehicles and Equipment;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 00180321
- Record Type: Publication
- Source Agency: Engineering Index
- Report/Paper Numbers: n 77CH1264-1 SU Proceeding
- Files: TRIS
- Created Date: Sep 27 1978 12:00AM