Rapid Rail Inspection System

This project will use an ultrasonic beam traveling longitudinally along the rail rather that the complex normal and angle-beams transducer assemblies in current systems. Detection of transverse defects becomes a simple pulse-echo application and resolves many inherent speed, inspection reliability and robustness problems in current rail inspection systems. The simplified procedure will increase the reliability of inspection, simplify the instrumentation and lower the equipment costs. Its non-couplant transduction method involves a solid-state unit that enhances robustness in field operations.This Phase I project will evaluate the feasibility of the approach to meet speed, reliability of inspection and robust operation issues in the railway operating environment. It will include a theoretical analysis to fine tune the ultrasonic wave structure, develop a prototype system specification, and evaluate and demonstrate the feasibility of meeting these specifications.The commercial version of this technology will have a major effect on the way in which inspection is carried out in the railway industry. This simplified, low-cost, high-speed system will alter inspection economics and provide the railway companies with much more flexibility in scheduling inspection and will enable them to deploy technology on their own hi-rail inspection vehicles to supplement outside contractor services.