Abstract: An inspection system comprising a first and second computer controlled robotic arm that each have five degrees of freedom (x, y, z, ?, ?) and respectively control position and tilt of first and second probes for inspection of a workpiece, wherein the computer control ensures that the two robotic arms simultaneously scan the probes over the workpiece, without interfering with each other.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe for non-destructive testing of a rail, said probe comprising a housing; an insert comprising an ultrasonic transducer and a polycarbonate shoe having a face for contacting a rail; and a compressed spring for exerting a downward force on said insert; the system further comprising a plate with a restraining flange around an aperture to prevent the polycarbonate shoe from extending more than a preset fixed amount through the aperture.

Abstract: An ultrasonic inspection apparatus for an ultrasonic inspection system for inspecting a railway track, the ultrasonic inspection system for attaching to a bogie for pulling over the railway track, comprising a framework for attaching to the bogie, a sled for inspecting a rail, the sled carrying an array of ultrasonic transducers for detecting flaws in the rail, the system further comprising a water subsystem for ensuring fluid coupling between the sled and the rail, automatic lateral position rectification subsystem for keeping the sleds centered over the railway tracks as the train moves along the track, the ultrasonic transducers in data communication with a computing system in a wagon over the bogie for analyzing and mapping the flaws in the rail, wherein at least one pair of ultrasonic transducers is mounted in the same housing thereby shortening the length of the sled to be irrigated.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for the ultrasonic inspection of a multilayer metal workpiece consisting of at least one parent metal layer and a clad metal layer, and having an outer surface, at least one boundary surface, and an inner surface, the device comprising a housing accommodating at least three spaced-apart, ultrasonic transducing means capable of receiving electrical input signals, initiating transmission of ultrasonic waves to the workpiece, and receiving reflected ultrasonic waves to be transduced into electrical output signals, the transducing means being constituted by an acoustic prism having a first face for at least indirectly contacting a workpiece, a second face extending in a plane forming an angle .alpha. with the plane of the outer surface of the workpiece, and a piezocrystal attached to the second face, wherein the distance L.sub.