Magnetostrictive EMAT for in-motion inspection of railroad wheels
US12372382B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 2, 2022 |
| Grant date | Jul 29, 2025 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 19, 2044 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2291/2696
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
This disclosure relates to the inspection of train wheels while mounted on a train that is moving on a railroad track. A magnetostrictive EMAT transducer is built using an RF Coil, a static biasing magnetic field, and a strip of highly magnetostrictive material. This magnetostrictive EMAT transducer is subsequently attached to a rail on the track so the wheel tread of the moving train can contact and apply downward pressure on the magnetostrictive EMAT transducer. A mechanism under the transducer provides enough counterforce to pressure-couple the transducer with the tread of the wheel. Once the transducer is ultrasonically coupled with the wheel, an ultrasonic instrument sends a pulse to the transducer generating a Shear Horizontal wave that travels circumferentially following the tread body. The Shear Horizontal wave generated with this magnetostrictive strip EMAT transducer penetrates deep into the wheel tread and permits detection of both surface and internal defects.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.