Patent ID: 6168676
Filing Date: 2001-01-02
Classification: B23K,B23P,E01B

Abstract:
A method of repairing cracks in the metal of a rail of a railway track or a wheel of a rail vehicle, the method comprising: generating at least one intense beam of energy capable of generating a vapour space in the metal; directing the intense beam of energy towards the cracks in the metal; vaporising metal within the rail or wheel in the vicinity of the cracks to form a vapour space extending at least 5 mm into the rail or wheel; moving the beam of energy along the rail or wheel at a speed such that the metal surrounding the cracks melts when the beam of energy is directed towards the metal and solidifies after the intense beam of energy moves on to form a narrow strip of melted and solidified metal; and depositing an alloying material within the vapour space to form a microstructure upon solidification of the alloying material that is compatible with the rail metal.