Abstract: The present invention provides a highspeed advanced system to identify and classify the area of anomalies in a railroad rail. This is achieved by using a novel linear array solution that employs parallel transmission of an ultrasonic beam and the use of a virtual synthetic aperture to receive reflected echoes. This integrated system has the capability to locate and classify near surface horizontal defects at speeds more than 40 km/h and at the same time maintaining a constant pulse density of at least 4 mm or less per incremental longitudinal movement.

Abstract: The present invention provides a highspeed advanced system to identify and classify the area of anomalies in a railroad rail. This is achieved by using a novel linear array solution that employs parallel transmission of an ultrasonic beam and the use of a virtual synthetic aperture to receive reflected echoes. This integrated system has the capability to locate and classify near surface horizontal defects at speeds more than 40 km/h and at the same time maintaining a constant pulse density of at least 4 mm or less per incremental longitudinal movement.

Abstract: A system for performing ultrasonic inspection of a rail including a sensing wheel arranged to roll along the top of the rail, and a plurality of ultrasonic transducers in the sensing wheel. The sensing wheel is aligned perpendicular to a vertical plane extending from the rail, detecting horizontal defects in a head area of the rail. The ultrasonic rail inspection system is designed to detect and classify horizontal defects in the head of the rail which will propagate in the longitudinal direction that will eventually result in defects component that will propagate in the transverse plane of the rail head area. The capability of detecting and classification of this type of defect will enable compliance to the FRA subpart 213.113 Defective rails specification, that is currently not being met by the existing technology.

Abstract: An ultrasonic rail inspection system designed to detect defects in a rail which result from longitudinal cracks that propagate in the horizontal and transverse plane of the rail. Detection of this type of defect is possible by directing an ultrasonic beam into the rail at a predetermined angle from the perpendicular to the surface of the rail. The predetermined angle must be sufficient to detect these normally undetectable defects and can be in the range of 8° to 14° from the perpendicular.

Abstract: An ultrasonic rail inspection system designed to detect defects in a rail which result from longitudinal cracks that propagate in the horizontal and transverse plane of the rail. Detection of this type of defect is possible by directing an ultrasonic beam into the rail at a predetermined angle from the perpendicular to the surface of the rail. The predetermined angle must be sufficient to detect these normally undetectable defects and can be in the range of 8° to 14° from the perpendicular.

Abstract: An ultrasonic rail inspection system designed to detect defects in a rail which result from longitudinal cracks that propagate in the horizontal and transverse plane of the rail. Detection of this type of defect is possible by directing an ultrasonic beam into the rail at a predetermined angle from the perpendicular to the surface of the rail. The predetermined angle must be sufficient to detect these normally undetectable defects and can be in the range of 8° to 14° from the perpendicular.

Abstract: An ultrasonic rail inspection system designed to detect defects in a rail which result from longitudinal cracks that propagate in the horizontal and transverse plane of the rail. Detection of this type of defect is possible by directing an ultrasonic beam into the rail at a predetermined angle from the perpendicular to the surface of the rail. The predetermined angle must be sufficient to detect these normally undetectable defects and can be in the range of 8° to 14° from the perpendicular.

Abstract: An ultrasonic real-time inspection method which is user-friendly in an interactive environment to provide ease of operation, as well as a combination of consistency, thoroughness, and speed of operation in flaw detection not achievable by other methods. The system and method are useable on a traveling wheel so as not to unduly interfere with normal train operation. The system and method includes a test device that moves along train wheels injecting pulses into the wheel to detect acoustic responses caused at a discontinuity in the wheel. A processor can also be included to determine a pattern of a feature of the wheel associated with the discontinuity.

Abstract: An ultrasonic real-time inspection method which is user-friendly in an interactive environment to provide ease of operation, as well as a combination of consistency, thoroughness, and speed of operation in flaw detection not achievable by other methods. The system and method are useable on a traveling wheel so as not to unduly interfere with normal train operation.

Abstract: An ultrasonic real-time inspection method which is user-friendly in an interactive environment to provide ease of operation, as well as a combination of consistency, thoroughness, and speed of operation in flaw detection not achievable by other methods. The method offers significantly increased pattern recognition capability, which provides greater automation potential and reduced missed detection and false alarm rates.

Abstract: An ultrasonic real-time inspection method which is user-friendly in an interactive environment to provide ease of operation, as well as a combination of consistency, thoroughness, and speed of operation in flaw detection not achievable by other methods. The method offers significantly increased pattern recognition capability, which provides greater automation potential and reduced missed detection and false alarm rates.

Abstract: An ultrasonic real-time inspection method which is user-friendly in an interactive environment to provide ease of operation, as well as a combination of consistency, thoroughness, and speed of operation in flaw detection not achievable by other methods. The method offers significantly increased pattern recognition capability, which provides greater automation potential and reduced missed detection and false alarm rates.

Abstract: A real-time ultrasonic pipe inspection system is provided which utilizes computer processing methods in real-time to create a user-friendly interactive environment achieving ease of operation as well as a combination of consistency, thoroughness and speed in flaw and thickness detection. Two computers are utilized in a distributed processor configuration wherein one of the computers is dedicated to user input/output, while the second controls real-time processing of ultrasonic data with the two computers being connected via a communications highway. Simultaneous dual level sensitivity inspection of a plurality of separate probed areas is possible. Data input is provided via a touch sensitive CRT, while pipe status can be indicated with automatic color-coding, graphic presentation on a system CRT or hard copy. The system is provided with ultrasonic wheel probes comprising rotably mounted transducer block and yoke assemblies for rapid adjustment of helical scan angle for different sized pipe.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to an apparatus and method for inspecting the structural integrity of drill collars used in the drilling of oil and gas wells.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to an ultrasonic wheel probe for rolling along a workpiece to be tested for flaws, having a plurality of ultrasonic acoustic transducers and an acoustic barrier that rest in a coupling fluid. The instant invention comprises an improved means for detecting the distance between the transducer array and the surface of the workpiece.

Abstract: An ultrasonic wheel probe of the type having a wheel-shaped container with an annular outer surface for rotating about an axis of rotation and rolling upon a specimen to be tested is provided with a plurality of transducers for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic acoustic energy, respectively. In accordance with the invention, an acoustic barrier is interposed between the transmitting and receiving transducers, and immersed in the coupling fluid, so as to isolate the transmitting and receiving transducers from one another. With this arrangement, echoes emanating from the interface, or surface, of the specimen being tested are prevented from reaching the receiving transducer. By eliminating the interface echo the only echoes received are from the back wall of the specimen under test or from anomalies within the specimen, thereby permitting testing from the front surface to the back wall of the specimen.

Abstract: Rail testing apparatus, particularly useful at the point of manufacture, for detecting flaws in railroad rails. A number of transducers transmit ultrasonic sound waves into a rail under test and receive the associated echo signals. The apparatus advantageously divides the rail into a plurality of measured rail segments and the amount of amplification applied to the associated echo signals may be varied over each rail segment, thus providing the ability to selectively increase or decrease the sensitivity of the testing apparatus. The amplified echo signals are selectively applied to detection apparatus with a positive and negative gating scheme to increase system accuracy and reliability.

Abstract: A system and method for performing ultrasonic inspection of a length of test material with ultrasonic transducing means emitting a beam of ultrasonic energy from within sealed wheel means containing a coupling fluid therein and having a flexible cylindrical surface member transparent to the ultrasonic beam and arranged for rolling contact along the test material. The system and method are characterized by spaced leading and trailing wheel means arranged for rolling contact along the length of test material. Ultrasonic transducer means in each of the leading and trailing wheel means are oriented so that a beam of ultrasonic energy emitted from the transducer means in one wheel means will enter the test material, be reflected from the bottom surface thereof, and be directed to and received by the transducer mean in the other wheel means.

Abstract: A system and method for performing ultrasonic inspection of a length of test material with ultrasonic transducing means emitting a beam of ultrasonic energy from within sealed wheel means containing a coupling fluid therein and having a flexible cylindrical surface member transparent to the ultrasonic beam and arranged for rolling contact along the test material. The system and method are characterized by spaced leading and trailing wheel means arranged for rolling contact along the length of test material. Ultrasonic transducer means in each of the leading and trailing wheel means are oriented so that a beam of ultrasonic energy emitted from the transducer means in one wheel means will enter the test material, be reflected from the bottom surface thereof, and be directed to and received by the transducer means in the other wheel means.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for tightening a bolt or a machine screw to exert a predetermined tension force by monitoring bolt elongation while the bolt is being installed. The apparatus of the present invention includes a drive means adapted to engage the head of the bolt and torque applying means for rotating this drive means to thereby rotate and tighten the bolt. An ultrasonic transducer is associated with the drive means to contact the top of the bolt's head when engaged by the drive means. A power supply is provided to energize the ultrasonic transducer to generate ultrasonic energy which is transmitted lengthwise through the bolt to its shank end and is reflected from the shank end lengthwise back through the bolt to its head to be received by the ultrasonic transducer. A monitor coupled to the ultrasonic transducer measures the time required for the ultrasonic energy to complete this round-trip cycle and thereby monitors the elongation of the bolt indicated by change in this cycle time.