METHOD OF ULTRASOUND DETECTION OF MICRO FRACTURES AT RAIL HEAD WORKING COVING Russian patent published in 2015 - IPC G01N29/04 

FIELD: transport.

SUBSTANCE: two electro acoustic transducers are mounted at rail rolling surface. Said transducers are directed to opposite rail heat inner surfaces to probe rail head. For this, said transducers are displaced along the rail to emit probing signals and to receive reflected ultrasound signals. The latter are analyzed in selected time window to conclude on availability and degree of flaw development. Position and direction of transducer radiation are selected to make ultrasound probing signals reflected from rail head surfaces directed to working and nonworking covings. Time window of signal reception from micro fractures at rail head working coving is selected about the expected time of reception to signals reflected from rail head coving whereat transducer reception sensitivity is increased to the level of the beginning of reception of rail metal structural noises. Analysis of reflected ultrasound signals and conclusion about availability and development of micro fractures are performed on the basis of comparison of reflected signals received by said transducers from working and nonworking covings.

EFFECT: possibility of detection and estimation of micro fractures development.

3 dwg