Abstract: A method for imaging internal flaws of a rail is disclosed. The method may include transmitting multiple ultrasound pulses into the rail along transverse and longitudinal axes of the rail, acquiring reflected ultrasound data from the rail, processing the reflected ultrasound data by applying an ultrasound migration technique to the reflected ultrasound data, and mapping the internal flaws of the rail based on the reflected ultrasound data processed by the ultrasound migration technique.

Abstract: A video inspection system and method for facilitating inspection of a rail component while traveling on the railroad track. The system includes a light source that provides illumination to a rail of the railroad track, a triggering device for automatically providing a trigger signal, a camera adapted to provide an image of the illuminated rail component, and a computing device adapted to capture the image provided by the camera based on the trigger signal. A method for inspecting rail components is also provided, the method including the steps of illuminating a rail of the railroad track, automatically providing a trigger signal, providing a camera adapted to provide an image of the rail component, and capturing the image of the rail component that is provided by the camera based on the trigger signal.

Abstract: A system for determining a neutral temperature of a metal specimen includes an excitation assembly disposed adjacent to the metal specimen for inducing vibrations to the metal specimen, at least one vibration detector disposed adjacent to the metal specimen to measure the induced vibrations transmitted in the metal specimen, a temperature sensor disposed adjacent to the metal specimen to measure temperature of the metal specimen, and a control/acquisition system for control of the excitation assembly and acquisition of data from the excitation assembly, the at least one vibration detector, and the temperature sensor, wherein the control/acquisition system calculates damping coefficients for each of the induced vibrations and determines a peak damping coefficient corresponding to the neutral temperature of the metal specimen based upon the acquired data.

Abstract: An integrated measurement device for taking gauge and cross-level measurements between two objects. The integrated measurement device includes at least an emitter/receiver unit, a sensor unit, and a microprocessor. In operation, the integrated measurement device is pivotably placed on the top of the first object such that a light emitted from the emitter/receiver unit travels along a surface of the second object as the device rotates about a pivot point of the first object. The sensor unit senses data associated with incident angles and traveling distances of the emitted light. Based on the data sensed by the sensor unit, the microprocessor calculates the incident angle, the traveling distance, and a distance between the first and second objects. The calculated values can also be transformed to (x, y) space coordinates that are used to describe a profile of the second object.

Abstract: A split axle assembly for obtaining gage measurements of a track including a first wheel with a first split axle, a second wheel with a second split axle, a first bearing for rotatably receiving the first split axle, and a second bearing for rotatably receiving the second split axle, the first bearing and the second bearing being positioned inboard between the first wheel and the second wheel. In one embodiment, a sliding barrel device is provided. In another embodiment, the first bearing is received in a first bearing body and the second bearing is received in a second bearing body so that they are axially movable relative to one another. At least one linear guide is provided to allow axial movement of the first bearing body and the second bearing body relative to one another.

Abstract: A vertical load measurement device and a method for measuring a load at least partially supported by an axle of a railcar are disclosed. The measurement device includes a bearing adapter sized to be mounted between a load bearing member of the railcar and an axle bearing housing of the railcar. The beam member has a first end and a second end, at least one end being secured to the bearing adapter, and a midsection extending between the ends which supports the load applied by the load bearing member of the railcar. The midsection of the beam member is vertically spaced from the bearing adapter to allow deflection of the beam member in response to the load applied by the load bearing member. The vertical load measurement device also includes a sensor secured to the beam member which measures the deflection of the beam member.

Abstract: A mount apparatus for mounting a measurement device on a rail car above a track surface of a railroad track including a securement member adapted to be secured to the unsprung component of the rail car, a pivot arm pivotably connected to the securement member, the pivot arm including a lever arm extending therefrom, and a swing arm connecting the lever arm of the pivot arm to the sprung component of the rail car. The swing arm rotates the pivot arm so that a distal end of the pivot arm is maintained at a substantially fixed height distance above the track surface.

Abstract: An electromagnetic gage sensing system having sensor heads positioned over each rail of a railroad track that measures both rail gage and height distance above the rails of a railroad track. Each sensor head includes an array of electromagnetic field generating coils and an array of electromagnetic field sensors positioned above each rail so as to extend substantially across the rail surface. A method of measuring gage distance is also provided in which lateral EM field output signal indicative of an edge surface of a rail is sensed.

Abstract: A video inspection system and method for facilitating inspection of a rail component while traveling on the railroad track. The system includes a light source that provides illumination to a rail of the railroad track, a triggering device for automatically providing a trigger signal, a camera adapted to provide an image of the illuminated rail component, and a computing device adapted to capture the image provided by the camera based on the trigger signal. A method for inspecting rail components is also provided, the method including the steps of illuminating a rail of the railroad track, automatically providing a trigger signal, providing a camera adapted to provide an image of the rail component, and capturing the image of the rail component that is provided by the camera based on the trigger signal.

Abstract: A vertical load measurement device and a method for measuring a load at least partially supported by an axle of a railcar are disclosed. The measurement device includes a bearing adapter sized to be mounted between a load bearing member of the railcar and an axle bearing housing of the railcar. The beam member has a first end and a second end, at least one end being secured to the bearing adapter, and a midsection extending between the ends which supports the load applied by the load bearing member of the railcar. The midsection of the beam member is vertically spaced from the bearing adapter to allow deflection of the beam member in response to the load applied by the load bearing member. The vertical load measurement device also includes a sensor secured to the beam member which measures the deflection of the beam member.

Abstract: A mount apparatus for mounting a measurement device on a rail car above a track surface of a railroad track including a securement member adapted to be secured to the unsprung component of the rail car, a pivot arm pivotably connected to the securement member, the pivot arm including a lever arm extending therefrom, and a swing arm connecting the lever arm of the pivot arm to the sprung component of the rail car. The swing arm rotates the pivot arm so that a distal end of the pivot arm is maintained at a substantially fixed height distance above the track surface.

Abstract: An electromagnetic gage sensing system having sensor heads positioned over each rail of a railroad track that measures both rail gage and height distance above the rails of a railroad track. Each sensor head includes an array of electromagnetic field generating coils and an array of electromagnetic field sensors positioned above each rail so as to extend substantially across the rail surface. A method of measuring gage distance is also provided in which lateral EM field output signal indicative of an edge surface of a rail is sensed.

Abstract: A railroad test vehicle extending in a longitudinal direction comprises a measurement axle comprising two flanged wheels rotatable about a measuring axis extending transversely to the longitudinal direction and adapted to run on two track rails. A cross member extends transversely to the longitudinal direction, is vertically spaced from an underside of the vehicle and is affixed thereto. The connection between the measurement axle and the cross member comprises two trunnions transversely spaced from each other and mounted on the cross member, each trunnion defining a clearance with the cross member sufficient to enable the trunnion to be freely tilted to either side of the vehicle about an axis extending in the longitudinal direction, a support frame mounted on each trunnion for pivoting freely about an axis extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction, and two pairs of linkages, the pairs being transversely spaced from each other by the same distance as the transversely spaced trunnions.

Abstract: A split axle assembly for obtaining gage measurements of a track including a first wheel with a first split axle, a second wheel with a second split axle, a first bearing for rotatably receiving the first split axle, and a second bearing for rotatably receiving the second split axle, the first bearing and the second bearing being positioned inboard between the first wheel and the second wheel. In one embodiment, a sliding barrel device is provided. In another embodiment, the first bearing is received in a first bearing body and the second bearing is received in a second bearing body so that they are axially movable relative to one another. At least one linear guide is provided to allow axial movement of the first bearing body and the second bearing body relative to one another.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the geometry of a rail for a railroad track which includes mounting first and second cameras in back to back relationship to create a single camera axis passing through the camera lenses and to define a coordinate system with an origin centered between the cameras on the camera axis. First and second targets are placed on the rail to be measured and spaced an equal distance from the origin between first and second cameras respectively. The first and second cameras record the position of the first and second targets and provide position signals from which the mid-chord value of a chord extending between the first and second targets is computed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the geometry of a rail for a railroad track which includes mounting first and second cameras in back to back relationship to create a single camera axis passing through the camera lenses and to define a coordinate system with an origin centered between the cameras on the camera axis. First and second targets are placed on the rail to be measured and spaced an equal distance from the origin between first and second cameras respectively. The first and second cameras record the position of the first and second targets and provide position signals from which the mid-chord value of a chord extending between the first and second targets is computed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dynamically measuring a railroad track condition using a railroad truck with metal track engaging wheels as a reference platform from which a line of sight reference plane spaced from the track is created. Measurements are successively taken between the track and the reference plane as the railroad truck moves along the track.

Abstract: The multi-sensor route detector system preferably consists of at least four sensors (three rail detectors and a truck angle detector), sensor power supplies, signal conditioning for the output of the sensors, and a computer performing pattern matching and logic functions to positively identify track features of interest. The system is not a stand-alone navigation system, but will interface with the rest of the vehicle navigation system and provide data over an interface. This data will include notification of passage of turnouts, whether or not the route changed through the turnout and possibly the type of turnout (i.e., number 6 left). From external sensors, the multi-sensor route detector will obtain a signal such as block distance pulse indicating distance traveled along the track. The best estimate of the vehicle position will also be sent to the multi-sensor route detector. Based on the present position, the multi-sensor route detector will access the appropriate turnout data from its internal database.

Abstract: The multi-sensor route detector system preferably consists of at least four sensors (three rail detectors and a truck angle detector), sensor power supplies, signal conditioning for the output of the sensors, and a computer performing pattern matching and logic functions to positively identify track features of interest. The system is not a stand-alone navigation system, but will interface with the rest of the vehicle navigation system and provide data over an interface. This data will include notification of passage of turnouts, whether or not the route changed through the turnout and possibly the type of turnout (i.e., number 6 left). From external sensors, the multi-sensor route detector will obtain a signal such as block distance pulse indicating distance traveled along the track. The best estimate of the vehicle position will also be sent to the multi-sensor route detector. Based on the present position, the multi-sensor route detector will access the appropriate turnout data from its internal database.