RAIL FLAW DETECTION BY UNTRASONIC BEAM

The Audigage flaw detector, of Branson Instruments Inc. consists of a small-battery-operated ultrasonic frequency generator and receiver, carried in an 11-1/2-lb. pack on the operator's back, a crystal in a special holder on the end of a long handle, and a pair of headphones. The crystal is applied to the head of the rail and the presence of a crack indicated by a lowering of the continuous tone produced in the headphones by a perfect rail. In a cracked rail the wave is reflected by the flaw, and a change in tone--or loss of tone-- is produced in the headphones. The nearer the crack to the head of the rail, the greater is the drop in frequency. The instrument has been in use by London Transport for about three weeks, during which time some 15 miles of rail have been inspected with it. Several minor defects which were not revealed by visual inspection were discovered in sections of rail covered by the fishplates.

• Corporate Authors:

  Temple Press Limited

  161-166 Fleet Street
  Longon EC4,   England 
• Publication Date: 1953-7-10

Media Info

• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: p. 45-46
• Serial:
  • RAILWAY GAZETTE
  • Volume: 99

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Defects; Failure; Inspection; Nondestructive tests; Rail (Railroads); Technology; Ultrasonic tests
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom; United States
• Old TRIS Terms: End breaks; Rail failure; Rail inspection
• Subject Areas: Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00039551
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 4 1994 12:00AM