System and method for non-destructive testing of railroad rails using ultrasonic apparatuses mounted within fluid-filled tires maintained at constant temperatures
US8739631B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 28, 2012 |
| Grant date | Jun 3, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 9, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2291/2623
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A rolling search unit including an ultrasonic device and a heat exchanger mounted within a fluid-filled tire may be utilized to perform ultrasonic testing on an underlying railroad rail. The ultrasonic device may transmit or receive ultrasonic beams into or from the railroad rail, and the heat exchanger may be utilized to maintain the temperature of the fluid within the tire at a preferred level or within a preferred range. In such a manner, the results of testing obtained using the rolling search unit may be standardized regardless of the ambient temperature in the environment where the testing is being performed, and regardless of any heat gained or lost by the rolling search unit during operation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.