Patent ID: 6424150
Filing Date: 2002-07-23
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A method for nondestructive inspection of a railroad rail made from ferromagnetic material for anomalies therein, which anomalies can include defects such as notches, cuts, cracks, shelling, breaks or wear, using magnetostrictive techniques, said method comprising the following steps:first locating a transmitter adjacent to said railroad rail; providing a first DC bias magnetic field in said railroad rail near said transmitter; second locating a receiver adjacent to said railroad rail; providing a second DC bias magnetic field in said railroad rail near said receiver; generating a pulse signal in a transmitter control circuit and delivering said pulse signal to said transmitter, said transmitter creating a magnetostrictive wave front in said railroad rail; detecting by said receiver said magnetostrictive wave front and any reflected signals, including those caused by said anomalies in said railroad rail; and determining if said reflected signals were due to anomalies that should not exist in said railroad rail.