Patent ID: 6768298
Filing Date: 2004-07-27
Classification: B61K,G01N

Abstract:
A system for detecting transverse cracks in rail head on railway track comprising:a transporter on the railway track, said transporter moving the system along the railway track, a toroidal-shaped DC magnet mounted to the transporter with its opposing pole ends inwardly directed towards each other and aligned over the rail head, an inductive coupling between each of the poles and the rail head to magnetically saturate the rail head, the inductive coupling slideably engaging the rail head, at least one low frequency eddy current probe, centrally located between the poles of the toroidal-shaped DC magnet, for sensing said transverse cracks in the rail head, protective material on the low frequency eddy current probe, a carriage mounted to the transporter forcing said low frequency eddy current probe against said rail head, the protective material abutting the rail head when the transporter moves on the railway track thereby protecting the low frequency eddy current probe from damage.