CN203758964U - Scroll locator - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model discloses a scroll locator, comprising a tire full of liquid, at least one ultrasonic transducer suspended inside the tire, and a heat exchanger suspended inside the tire, wherein the heat exchanger is applicable to receiving heat transfer medium flow from an external source, so as to adjust the temperature of the liquid.

Description

Rolling seeker

Present patent application is divisional application; The applying date of its original application is on July 19th, 2012, and application number is 201220351791.9, and utility model name is called " the ultrasonic rail check system of railway track ".

Technical field

The utility model relates generally to the bad crackle of some predefined type to existing on the rail of railroad track or the method and apparatus that defect is carried out nondestructive test.The utility model relates in particular to the crackle on supersonic sounding rail, in the time detecting crackle, identifies the position of this crackle, and the position of recording the crackle detecting is in order to needing to repair or replace in the future the movable durable type device of rail.More particularly, the utility model relates to for in-situ measurement, identifies and record the relatively quick and sensitive method and apparatus of the position of the crackle detecting when this device is walked on rail.Moreover the utility model comprises for guaranteeing under varying environment and obtains the consistent part reliably of result by ultrasonic tesint.

Background technology

Due to manufacture process, or due to physical environment process and normal use, the rail of railroad track can form some harmful crackle, and this generally acknowledges in railway systems.These crackles can comprise non-key defect and critical defect, for example transverse defect, vertical shearing or rail head breach defect, and the shearing of level or rail head breach defect.

As long as it is not serious that the crackle in rail is still, just can continue on rail, to operate safely.But after after a while, even if not serious crackle also may worsen or be degenerated to major defect, and new crackle will produce.If crackle is not added to processing, the defect producing just may cause series of problems, comprises catastrophic fault and the train was derailed.Catastrophic or even less fault can be brought the risk on finance, health and safety to railway systems, the goods being transported and people and house around and enterprise.This fault is evitable, or at least can reduce failure-frequency by routine inspection and maintenance.And, optionally repair and make scheduled maintenance can more meet cost benefit, and actively detect crack helps Selective repair.

Ultrasonic tesint is used as surveying crackle or the defect of rail.The testing fixture being arranged in vehicle and railcar is built into along track travel, continuously the rail of railroad track is carried out to on-the-spot ultrasonic examination.

Generally speaking, testing fixture is to take to be arranged on slide plate on compartment and the form of wheel.As the 4th, 700, No. 574 disclosed slide plate designs of United States Patent (USP), have adopted the ultrasonic transducer on slide plate (sled), and this slide plate is along being dragged to form overhead speaker with the rail of water coating.As the 6th, as 055, No. 862 United States Patent (USP) is disclosed, the design of wheel has adopted the ultrasonic transducer in the tire that is accommodated in the little and thin-walled rolling along rail.Tire is being filled fluid, and as freeze-point depressant, to form Ultrasonic Bridge (ultrasonic bridge) between transducer and the surface of rail, it can be with water coating.

The design of prior art is with a lot of shortcomings.For example, the design of slide plate need to be with a large amount of water, so that slide plate is fully connected with rail and reduces the wearing and tearing that long-distance stroke causes.In addition, slide plate is more responsive for the flaw on rail running surface and crackle.The design of wheel suffers the caused sound repercussion of acoustic reflection (noise) on surface of tyre wall.Noise all can reduce the susceptibility of this device after each acoustic emission.

In addition, two designs are all subject to the restriction of known transducer technology and structure.The design of some acoustic transducers identifies the crackle on some rail webs of the rail to the transmitting of vertical direction substantially supersonic beam, but the crackle of rail rail head the inside part is lacked to susceptibility.In other designs, as the 4th, 700, No. 574 and the 6th, 055, No. 862 United States Patent (USP) is disclosed, and transducer is placed with to become some angular emission supersonic beam with the horizontal and vertical plane of rail.The axis of acoustic beam is crossing with rail and stretch to opposite side across the fore-and-aft plane of rail in a side of the vertical fore-and-aft plane of central authorities of rail.Crackle on these design identification rails on some extra crackles, particularly rail rail head one side.The design that also has some other acoustic transducer is the more complicated transducer assemblies comprising with other beam path, but is still limited in the ability aspect the crackle of the inside part of identification rail rail head.

Summary of the invention

The utility model provides a kind of ultrasonographic system for railway track, comprises: compartment; Can suspend freely rotatably the first round assembly getting off in midair from compartment, this first round assembly is with the first tire of filling substantially fluid, and is configured to roll along the rail head of railway track, and this first tire and this railway track form the first contact region; And be supported in the first ultrasound emission-receiving transducer in the first tire, wherein this first ultrasound emission-receiving transducer is configured to launch the first impulse ultrasound bundle, and it is along the first beam axis by this fluid and this first contact region and enter in the rail head of this railway track.

The described ultrasonographic system for railway track preferably further comprises the second ultrasonic transducer being supported in the first tire.

The described ultrasonographic system for railway track preferably further comprises: be supported in the 3rd ultrasonic transducer in the first tire; And be supported in the 4th ultrasonic transducer in the first tire.

The described ultrasonographic system for railway track further comprises: can suspend freely rotatably the second wheel assembly getting off in midair from compartment, this second wheel assembly is with the second tire of filling substantially fluid, and be configured to roll along the rail head of this railway track, this second tire and this railway track form the second contact region; And be supported in the second ultrasound emission-receiving transducer in this second tire, wherein this second ultrasound emission-receiving transducer is configured to launch the second impulse ultrasound bundle, and it is along the second beam axis by fluid and the second contact region and enter in the rail head of this railway track.

The described ultrasonographic system for railway track preferably further comprises: temperature sensor, and it is for the temperature of this fluid of sensing; And be suspended in the heat exchanger in the first tire, and it comprises the interior flow diameter between entrance, outlet and this entrance and this outlet, and wherein this heat exchanger is suitable for receiving the heat transfer medium stream from external source at entrance, to regulate the temperature of this fluid.

In certain embodiment of the present utility model, the first tire is made up of polyurethane.The diameter of this first tire is at least six inches.

The utility model also provides a kind of railway track check system, comprises: compartment; Suspend the first rolling seeker getting off in midair from this compartment, wherein this first rolling seeker comprises the first film of filling substantially first fluid, is suspended in the first ultrasonic transducer in this first film, and is suspended in the first heat exchanger in this first film; And heat-exchange device, it is configured to provide the heat transfer medium in predetermined flow velocity and predetermined temperature, and wherein this first heat exchanger is configured to receive from this heat-exchange device the first supply of this heat transfer medium.

Described railway track check system preferably further comprises: suspend the second rolling seeker getting off in midair from this compartment, wherein this second rolling seeker comprises the second film of filling substantially second fluid, be suspended in the second ultrasonic transducer in this second film, and be suspended in the second heat exchanger in the second film, wherein this second heat exchanger is configured to receive the second supply from this heat transfer medium of this heat-exchange device.

Described railway track check system preferably further comprises temperature sensor, and it is for the temperature of this heat transfer medium of sensing.

In certain embodiment of the present utility model, this first film is made up of polyurethane.Or this first film is made up of silica gel.

On the one hand, the utility model provide for check with detecting railway rail on the system of position of certain class defect.This system comprises the compartment that can walk on railway track.Rolling seeker or wheel assembly can be mounted to the probe carrier on bogie assembly, suspend in midair from compartment or be installed in any other vehicle, and can be with the tire or the film that are full of fluid, cause in the time that this system is walked on railway track, it rolls and contacts with the rail head of the rail that underlies of this railway track.The rail head of tire or film and the rail that underlies forms contact region.Ultrasonic transducer is supported in tire or film, and supersonic beam is launched in the rail head of the rail that underlies along beam axis by fluid and tire or film.Beam axis is to become to be greater than in the first angle of 0 (zero) degree becomes to be greater than 0 (zero) the second angle biography route rail of spending with the vertical transverse plane of rail with the vertically longitudinally median plane of rail.Transducer is supported to and can makes beam axis crossing in contact region with rail rail head, and intersection location is offset to the same side of the rail head that is penetrated and check by described supersonic beam from vertically longitudinal median plane of rail.In addition, transducer in tire or film, be supported to can with respect to direction of travel forward or backward, perpendicular or parallel or with any other direction with along any axis transmitting acoustic beam with the arrangement of railway track.

On the other hand, the utility model provide for check with detecting railway rail on the device of position of certain class defect.This device comprise for the rail that underlies of railway track roll the rolling seeker or the wheel assembly that contact.This rolling seeker or wheel assembly comprise the flexible tire of tool or the film for contacting with the rail head of the rail that underlies, and tire or film are being filled fluid.At least one ultrasonic transducer is supported in rolling seeker or wheel assembly, supersonic beam by fluid and tire or film along beam axis with rail vertically longitudinally median plane becomes to be greater than the first angle of 0 (zero) degree or becomes to be greater than 0 (zero) the second angular emission of spending with the vertical transverse plane of rail to enter to underlie in the rail head of rail.Transducer is supported in rolling seeker or wheel assembly, makes beam axis crossing with rail rail head, and intersection location is offset to the same side of the rail head that is penetrated and check by supersonic beam from longitudinal median plane.In addition, transducer in tire or film, be supported to can with respect to direction of travel forward or backward, perpendicular or parallel or with any other direction with along any axis transmitting acoustic beam with the arrangement of railway track.

Or at least one ultrasonic transducer can be supported in rolling seeker or wheel assembly, to launch supersonic beam, it, enters with the angle vertical with the upper surface of rail in the rail head of the rail that underlies by fluid and tire or film along beam axis.

The third aspect, the utility model provides the method for the rail head of ultrasonic examination railway track.The method can comprise following steps: supersonic beam along beam axis to become to be greater than the first angle of zero (0) degree or to become to be greater than zero (0) the second angle of spending with the vertical transverse plane of rail to guide in the upper surface of rail head with the vertically longitudinally median plane of rail.Bootable beam axis is crossing with the upper surface of rail rail head, and joining is offset to the same side of the rail rail head that is penetrated and check by supersonic beam from vertical fore-and-aft plane.

Fourth aspect, the utility model provide for check with detecting railway rail on the device of position of certain class defect.This device comprises and railway track roll the rolling seeker or the wheel assembly that contact, and rolling seeker or wheel assembly comprise wheel shaft, are installed in rotation on the wheel hub on wheel shaft and are arranged on the flexible tire of tool or the film to rotate on wheel hub on wheel shaft.In checking process, tire or film wherein form contact region between a part and the upper surface part of the rail rail head that underlies.At least one ultrasonic transducer is with acoustic beam transmitting/receiving head.Transducer is installed in rolling seeker or wheel assembly and trailing wheel axle suspension hangs, and transmitting/receiving head is placed at a predetermined angle from the different distance on rail surface.Fluid, it is placed in rolling seeker or wheel assembly, with the transmitting/receiving head at transducer and at tire or film with underlie and form the ultrasonic transmission medium that provides unique between the part tire of contact region or film between rail.Other configurations can be with multiple surfaces.

And compartment of the present utility model, probe carrier, device and wheel assembly can comprise any amount of tire or the film that is full of fluid, to roll and to contact with one or more railway tracks.For example, compartment, probe carrier, device and wheel assembly can comprise the tire or the film that are full of fluid, to roll and to contact with a railway track.And for example, compartment, probe carrier, device and wheel assembly can comprise two tire or the films that are full of fluid, to roll and to contact with one or more railway tracks.For another, compartment, probe carrier, device and wheel assembly can comprise three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten tire or the films that are full of fluid, to roll and to contact with one or more railway tracks.For another example, compartment, probe carrier, device and wheel assembly can comprise ten or more tire or the film that is full of fluid, to roll and to contact with one or more railway tracks.

The diameter of tire of the present utility model or film can be arbitrarily.For example, the external diameter of tire or film can be approximately eight (8) inches, or 20 (20) centimetres, transducer can be placed in tire or film, so that the transmitting/receiving head of transmitter is placed with apart from approximately three (3) inches, rail surface, or about seven and 1/2nd (7.5) centimetres.And for example, the external diameter of tire or film can be approximately nine (9) inches, or approximately 23 (23) centimetres, transducer can be placed in tire or film, so that the transmitting/receiving head of transmitter is placed in apart from approximately two (2) inches, rail surface, or about five (5) centimetres.For another, the external diameter of tire or film can be approximately six (6) inches, or approximately 15 (15) centimetres, or also can be eight (8) inches, or 20 (20) centimetres, transducer can be placed in tire or film, so that the transmitting/receiving head of transmitter is placed in apart from approximately two (2) inches, rail surface, or about five (5) centimetres.

Compartment of the present utility model, probe carrier, device and wheel assembly can comprise one or more heat exchangers that are installed in wherein, so that the fluid in tire or film remains on predetermined or desirable temperature.In a preferred embodiment, the heat exchanger of installing can be an independently part for closed loop fluid system, sees through the circulation of heat transfer medium in rolling tire or film, from this fluid heat absorption or to its heat conduction.This heat exchanger can further comprise that sensor and/or control system are with monitoring rolling tire or the temperature of film inner fluid or the temperature of heat transfer medium, and heat exchanger heats or makes it cooling where necessary, thereby make the temperature of tire or film inner fluid remain on predetermined set point or approach this point.

In an alternative embodiment, the heat exchanger of rolling seeker of the present utility model comprises the interior flow diameter between entrance, outlet and this entrance and this outlet, and the heat transfer medium stream wherein receiving from external source flow to this outlet from this entrance by this interior flow diameter.

In another embodiment, the first heat exchanger of railway track check system of the present utility model comprises the first interior flow diameter between the first entrance, the first outlet and this first entrance and this first outlet, and the first supply of the heat transfer medium wherein receiving from heat-exchange device flow to this first outlet from this first entrance by this first interior flow diameter.

In addition, the heat transfer medium of this ultrasonic railway track check system receives from external source at this entrance.

First fluid in railway track check system of the present utility model is in the first film.

Remain on predetermined or desirable temperature by the fluid temperature (F.T.) that makes to be full of in tire or the film of fluid, although have the variation in any temperature or because of the issuable any heating power of friction, system and method for the present utility model still can be by providing a constant fluid temperature (F.T.) to guarantee that check result is unified specification in each individual check in whole checking process.The second, based on identical reason, native system and method also can be by the uniform specification of the result of making regular check on that in the whole year, (in each season with at any temperature) carries out.The 3rd, because desirable level can be controlled or be remained on to the temperature of fluid media (medium), so native system and method can to the best temperature of particular fluid medium, be carried out inspection at the maximized temperature of the acoustic characteristic that makes fluid.Finally, native system and method allow identical rolling seeker to be used in any position to check and analyze, no matter the temperature of each relevant position how.

Consulting the embodiment of summary of the invention, accompanying drawing, preferred embodiment and claims can determine disclosed herein for carrying out other aspects and the advantage of system and method for nondestructive test.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1 is according to the schematic diagram of the ultrasonic railway track check system of an embodiment of the present utility model, transverse defect on railway track or crackle is described and for surveying the ultrasonic rail check system of this crackle.

Fig. 2 is the stereographic map in the compartment that uses according to an embodiment of the present utility model, for the rail check system shown in Fig. 1 of the ultrasonic rail inspection in scene of railway track.

Fig. 3 looks schematic diagram according to the master of the xsect of the rail seen at the section line 3-3 shown in embodiment, a Fig. 4 of the present utility model and crack detection rolling seeker or wheel assembly.

Fig. 4 is according to the rolling seeker of the rail of an embodiment of the present utility model and rail check system or the schematic side view of wheel assembly.

Fig. 5 is according to the elevational schematic view of the ultrasonic transducer of the rolling seeker shown in the rail of an embodiment of the present utility model and Fig. 3 and 4 or wheel assembly.

Fig. 6 is according to the schematic side view of the rail of an embodiment of the present utility model and ultrasonic transducer, illustrates that supersonic beam detects crackle after the internal reflection of rail rail head.

Fig. 7 looks schematic diagram according to the master of the rail shown in Fig. 6 of an embodiment of the present utility model, reflection acoustic beam and transducer.

Fig. 8 is according to the rolling seeker of an embodiment of the present utility model or the side view of wheel assembly.

Fig. 9 is according to the rolling seeker shown in Fig. 8 of an embodiment of the present utility model or the isometric view of wheel assembly.

Figure 10 is according to the viewgraph of cross-section of the rolling seeker shown in Fig. 8 of an embodiment of the present utility model, and it is drawn along section line 10-10.

Embodiment

The utility model relates to the bad crackle of some predefined type to existing on the rail of railroad track or the method and apparatus that defect is carried out nondestructive test, comprise rolling seeker or wheel assembly, it comprises the tire or the film that are full of fluid, to roll along the rail that underlies, and one or more ultrasonic transducer is installed in the tire or film that is full of fluid.In embodiment more of the present utility model, this method and device can use the heat exchanger being arranged in tire or film to make the fluid in tire or film remain on stationary temperature substantially.

With reference to Fig. 1, crackle for checking railway track 12 inner structures or the railway track ultrasonic examination system 10 of defect are shown.Rail 12 has typical and known rail design, and it is with the flange of rail 14, the web of the rail 16 and rail head 18.Being shaped as with gauge side 20, rail outside 22 and upper walking surface 24 of rail head 18.For directed object, the vertical fore-and-aft plane that the axis of orientation of the railway track 12 shown in Fig. 1 is restricted at the middle part of rail or center line extends vertically along the walking path on rail, the horizontal fore-and-aft plane flatly extending along the walking path on rail, and extend vertically and rectangular transverse plane with the walking path on rail.

System 10 shown in Fig. 1 comprises the crack meter or the sensor 26 that contain one or more ultrasonic transducers 28 (being generally send-receive transducer), and its central processing unit 30 that is subject to being connected with transducer by cable 32 is controlled and transmitted and received supersonic beam.According to the utility model, in the time that central processing unit 30 sends signal to transducer 28, transducer produces supersonic beam 34 and it is launched to rail rail head 18 along beam axis 36, so that beam axis is crossing in a side of the vertical fore-and-aft plane of rail with the upper surface 24 of rail.After slight refraction, this acoustic beam is by rail head transmission, until the crackle F that acoustic beam is ensconced in rail head reflects.In the example shown in Fig. 1, crackle F is oval transversal crack, is positioned at the same side of the vertical fore-and-aft plane being penetrated by acoustic beam.A supersonic beam part reflects along beam axis 36 from crackle, and transmits by the rail head 18 of rail 12, and the upper surface 24 that sees through rail arrives transducer 28, and transducer 28 detects the acoustic beam reflecting.Transducer is converted into the acoustic beam reflecting reflected signal and by cable 32, this signal is sent to central processing unit 30.Central processing unit 30 is analyzed reflected signal, and identifies existence, type and the position of crackle F by time scan.This result can be stored the analysis in the future, or is presented in real time on the screen 35 of central processing unit 30.

With reference to Fig. 2, preferred embodiment of the present utility model has utilized compartment 40, and in inspection operation, this compartment is suspended in and is suitable for the railcar of walking along rail or checks vehicles under (not shown) by connecting rod 43, carries out in-situ measurement and the identification of rail crackle.Compartment 40 comprises one group of four flanged wheels 42, and it is connected with four angles on rectangle chassis 44 respectively, with checking in operation when compartment is placed on rail, with guide this compartment along rail in the position of center substantially.

The inspection annex that compartment 40 can be furnished with a lot of known railway track testing fixtures and independent operation or operate together with the utility model.For example, this compartment can be furnished with induction pick-up assembly 46 and relevant electric current induction brush 48.This compartment also can be furnished with one or more known rail ultrasonic examinations wheel 50,52, and it utilizes the transducer with various angle initialization, with respect to the ultrasonic front and back actively detect crack of taking turns of direction of travel, and surveys the defect under wheel, in the rail web of the rail.In addition, this compartment also can be furnished with multiple rail cleaners 54, to remove rubbish from rail in advance before sensor and crack meter.

According to the utility model, compartment 40 comprises rolling seeker free to rotate or wheel assembly 60, and the diameter of this rolling seeker or wheel assembly is slightly larger than the diameter of common inspection wheel 50,52, but also for the site inspection of rail.As shown in Figure 2, rolling seeker or wheel assembly 60 can be placed between wheel 50 and 52, still, and according to the utility model, rolling seeker or wheel assembly 60 can be placed in any position on compartment 40, to be put down together with other detection instruments and to contact with rail 12 in inspection operation.The structure of these two rolling seekers or wheel assembly 60 is identical, and (but on different rails) operation in an identical manner.Therefore, one of them of rolling seeker or wheel assembly 60 below only described.

Fig. 3 and 4 has shown rolling seeker or wheel assembly 60 with different the level of details.As shown in the sectional view of Fig. 3, rolling seeker or wheel assembly 60 are supported from compartment by a point crotch 62 for the removable supporting leg 64,66 with straddling wheel assembly.A pair of short wheel shaft 68,70 is releasably fixed on supporting leg by clip 71,72, to wheel assembly can be arranged on frame 62.Once wheel shaft is installed in supporting leg 64,66, the mode that just can not rotate is fixed to this.

As shown in Fig. 3,4 and 5, rolling seeker or wheel assembly 60 comprise two wheel hubs 76,78, and it can freely rotate respectively by wheel bearing 80,82 on wheel shaft 68,70; Flexible tool tire or film 84 are arranged on and on wheel hub, allow its rotation; And one group of ultrasonic transducer 86,88 is suspended in midair and is attached on short wheel shaft 68,70 from fixing transducer bearing 90.

Tire or film 84 are for example that polyurethane or silica gel are made by the flexible material of tool, and be filled to surveying instrument with fluid G and be measured as under faint pressure, as about 5 to 10 pound per square inches (psi), or the pressure of about 34.475 to 68.950 kPas (kPa).Or tire or film 84 can fluid G be filled to surveying instrument and be measured as with faint pressure, as 10 to 15 pound per square inches (psi), or the pressure of about 68.950 to 103.425 kPas (kPa).Seal 92,94 in wheel hub rides on wheel shaft 68,70, prevents that fluid G from overflowing from tire or film 84.Fluid G can be any suitable fluid, as the potpourri of water and freeze-point depressant, polypropylene, ethylene glycol, oil or other class quasi-fluids, to prevent that fluid from freezing.

Fluid G is used as ultrasonic transmission medium, and as described in Fig. 3, as shown in embodiment, is unique transmission medium between ultrasonic transducer and tire or film 84.As long as transducer is supported near tire or film, just do not need auxiliary block to improve the signal to noise ratio (S/N ratio) in transducer signal.In a preferred embodiment, the external diameter of tire or film 84 is approximately eight (8) inches, or approximately 20 (20) centimetres, and transducer can be oriented to transmitting/receiving head apart from rail surperficial approximately three (3) inches, or approximately seven and 1/2nd (7.5) centimetres.Another preferred external diameter of tire or film 84 is approximately nine (9) inches, or approximately 23 (23) centimetres, and transducer is preferably placed with apart from approximately two (2) inches, rail surface, or approximately five (5) centimetres.Other preferred external diameter comprises about six (6), six and 1/2nd (6.5), seven (7), eight (8) and nine (9) inches, or be respectively about ten five (15), 16 not only 1/2nd (16.5), ten eight (18), 20 (20) and 22 but also 1/2nd (22.5) centimetres.

As shown in Figure 3, put down in compartment 40 when walking along rail 12, freely rotate on wheel shaft 68,70 with tire or the film 84 of wheel hub 76,78, so that the circumferential perimeter of tire or film 84 surface contacts with walking surface 24 rollings of rail rail head 18.As shown in Figures 3 and 4, tire or film 84 lean against on rail rail head 18 under the weight in slight pressure or compartment 40, and this heaves tire or film 84, form contact region with walking surface.In outer tire or film diameter are the preferred embodiment of nine (9) inches, rail rail head 18 should be approximately four (4) inches along the contact region of the vertical fore-and-aft plane of rail, connect to ensure that the height of the supersonic beam between transducer 86,88 and rail rail head 18 transmits.

Ultrasonic transducer 86,88 is located in tire or film 84 by bearing 90, with the special angle that is beneficial to most the crackle of surveying rail rail head, supersonic beam is projected in rail rail head 18 along axis.In a preferred embodiment, can use two transducers, so that each transducer is placed and is orientated the half that checks best rail rail head, the gauge side of for example rail rail head or rail outside.In another preferred embodiment, can use four transducers (before two sensings of direction of travel, after two sensings), just more likely find crackle acoustic beam is aimed to any one of them direction.For the sake of simplicity, Fig. 4 only shown one towards front transducer 88 and one towards after transducer 86.In addition, because the location of transducer 86 heels transducer 88 is in the opposite direction similar with operation, so below only Fig. 3,4 and 5 is discussed location and the operation of transducer 86.

As shown in Fig. 3,4 and 5, ultrasonic transducer 86 is projection acoustic beam B downwards, sees through fluid G and tire or film 84 crossing with the upper walking surface 24 of the rail head 18 of the rail 12 that underlies.According to an embodiment of the present utility model, transducer 86 is placed with and makes the axis 36 of acoustic beam crossing with the walking surface in contact region between tire or film 84 and rail 18, and intersection location is offset approximately 0.2 inch from the vertical fore-and-aft plane of rail to the same side of the rail head that reflects aft beam transmission and pass, or approximately 0.5 centimetre.In other words,, in the embodiment of the present utility model shown in Fig. 3-5, the axis of refraction acoustic beam not as for example prior art the 6th, intersects with vertical fore-and-aft plane as shown in the acoustic beam in 055, No. 862 United States Patent (USP).But, can use the off normal of any dimension according to the utility model.For example, can use 0.5 inch according to the utility model, or 1.3 centimetres, or larger off normal.

And, although ultrasonic transducer 86,88 are oriented so that the beam axis 36 of transducer 86 points to a direction and the beam axis 36 of transducer 88 points to other direction, forward and backward, but transducer 86,88 arrangement can be aligned, so that beam axis 36 points to same direction or the arrangement for any other.

After refraction acoustic beam is crossing with walking surface, pass downwards in route rail rail head along beam axis, so that reflect acoustic beam in rail head with vertical fore-and-aft plane into about 18 ± 10 degree angles transmit through rail heads (visible in Fig. 3), and with transverse plane into about 60 ± 10 degree angles transmit process rail heads (visible in Fig. 4).Described angle is preferred, and is determined by the location of the transducer in wheel assembly 60.But the position of having found the acoustic beam to penetrate rail is detected more flaw or crackle to the same side skew meeting that is refracted the rail head that acoustic beam checks than the equipment of prior art, thereby the result producing is significantly improved.

When acoustic beam B is in the time that the rail head 18 of the rail that underlies transmits, acoustic beam B is for example transversal crack reflection by defect or crackle F, and this is reflected a part of acoustic beam, and this reflection is called as echo sometimes.Echo is just transmitted back to the walking surface 24 of rail rail head 18 along multiple paths, by tire or film 84 and fluid G, so that a part of echo arrives transducer 86.If transducer 86 is transmitting/receiving transducer or another supersonic sounding instrument, received echo is converted into signal by transducer, is launched back the processor 30 shown in Fig. 1, at this by analysis to determine type and the value of crackle.For example 2.25 megahertzes (MHz) pulsation by the supersonic beam that makes to project from transducer 86 with known speed, and the utilization time scan of synchronizeing with the speed in compartment 40, processor can also provide the position of crackle F on rail.And can also in processor 30, check and store total data.

As shown in Fig. 6 and 7, because crackle is with respect to the direction of acoustic beam or the relation of position, with the refraction acoustic beam of axis 36 entering rail rail head 18 when interior or can not running into or " seeing " crackle F, until acoustic beam just runs into or " seeing " crackle F after bottom side 96, gauge side 20 or 22 reflections of rail outside of rail head.Acoustic beam one enters after rail rail head 24, shown in crackle F just with refraction acoustic beam axis 36 almost parallels angle tilt.Therefore, crackle F does not tackle acoustic beam effectively entering angle.But, at acoustic beam after the reflection of bottom side 96, the axis 36 of acoustic beam meets at right angles with crackle F substantially, crackle F presents a target and the interruption in metal construction, strong acoustic beam echo can be reflected back ultrasonic transducer 86 along beam axis 36 from described target and interruption, to be for further processing and to survey.Because acoustic beam is pulsed beams, thus in time scan the processing of reflection echo can to demonstrate crackle be to detect after reflection.Therefore, still can accurately define crack position.

With reference to Fig. 8 and 9, it has shown according to another embodiment of rolling seeker of the present utility model or wheel assembly 100.Rolling seeker or wheel assembly 100 comprise bracket component 110, axle 112, joint 114, outlet valve 116 and maintain clamp ring 122 and take turns tire or the film 120 between flange 136.Rolling seeker or wheel assembly 100 can connect with heat transfer system (not shown) by some joints 130 and flexible pipe 132, and it can return collector (supply and return headers) by confession and provide heat transfer medium to rolling seeker 100.

Bracket component 110 is suitable for being mounted to can be with the compartment of any speed walking or the downside of other vehicles on railway track, and provides supporting for axle 112 and tire or film 120.Joint 114 is mounted to the extension of axle 112 and is suitable for being connected with computing machine or other processors (central processing unit 30 as shown in Figure 1).Joint 114 can be any form, and can be included in the one or more tie points between rolling seeker or wheel assembly 100 and computing machine (as central processing unit 30).

With reference to Figure 10, it has shown the rolling seeker of Fig. 8 and 9 or the cross-sectional view of wheel assembly 100.In figure, display scrolling seeker or wheel assembly 100 are with ultrasonic transducer 160 and heat exchanger 170, and it is supported in the tire or film 120 that is full of fluid G.

Axle 112 is shown as being mounted to bracket component 110, and provides supporting to wheel flange 136.Axle 112 can be made up of the enough materials of any intensity, as stainless steel.By using securing member 124 that tire or film 120 are clipped in clamp ring 122, it fixes and seals the inner periphery of tire or film 120.Clamp ring 122, tire or film 120 and wheel flange 136 form the cavity that can fill fluid G.Can use any type of securing member 124 according to the utility model, as screw, bolt, nut, clip or any other similar device.

The relative clamp ring 122 of tire or film 120 and wheel flange 136 rotate freely, and contact with the rail that underlies.In presently preferred embodiment, wheel flange 136 comprises bearing assembly, and it is placed in retaining ring and with spring or similarly device is fixing, for axle 112 provides radial support and reduces spin friction power.Can before inspection operation, by filler valve 152, tire or film 120 be filled to fluid G, in figure, show that filler valve 152 is covered by thick stick bolster 154, or drain to keep in repair by outlet valve 116, in figure, show that outlet valve 116 is covered by valve gap.Rolling seeker or wheel assembly 100 also comprise seal 150, and it prevents that compression fluid G from overflowing from inner chamber.Can use the seal 150 of any type according to the utility model, as lip seal or O-ring seals, or any other similar device.

Yoke assembly 156 is placed in tire or film 120.Yoke assembly 156 in tire or film 120 for ultrasonic transducer 160 and heat exchanger 170 provide structural supporting.Ultrasonic transducer 160 can be equipped to supersonic beam to launch through fluid G and tire or film 120 and enter and underlie in rail, and also can further be equipped to the acoustic beam that receives crackle, defect or the reflection of other features of being underlied in rail.

Heat exchanger 170 is designed to the fluid G of heat exchanger 170 outsides in tire or film 120 and the heat between the heat transfer medium of heat exchanger 170 inner processes to be passed to external heat transfer.Heat exchanger 170 is connected outside by joint 130, flexible pipe 132 and supplies back collector with ell 134, it provides heat transfer medium by the passage heat exchanger 170 in axle 112.Can be any shape according to heat exchanger of the present utility model, but the heat exchanger 170 showing in Figure 10 is fan-shaped arcuation, its size is set to and makes to maximize for the exterior surface area of conducting heat in tire or film 120, is also applicable to being put in tire or the laden residual altitude of film 120 (loaded free height).In addition, although in Figure 10, show that heat exchanger 170 is with smooth outside surface, can be with flute profile or corrugated outside surface according to heat exchanger of the present utility model, further to strengthen heating power transmission, it maybe can have the surface characteristics of any other expectation.

In operating process, rolling seeker or wheel assembly 100 can be put down and contact with railway track, thereby check, and computing machine or other processors, central processing unit 30 and computing machine 35 as shown in Figure 1, can send signal to ultrasonic transducer 160, to launch one or more supersonic beams in the time that seeker 100 is gone in railway track is up, it is by fluid G and tire or film 120, and enters in the rail head of the rail that underlies.Meanwhile, can monitor and leave the fluid G of heat exchanger and/or the temperature of heat transfer medium.If the temperature of fluid G is too high or too low, can starts, guarantee or the flow of Heat Transfer Control MEDIA FLOW over-heat-exchanger 170, until reach ideal temperature.Heating power can, due to friction in tire or the interior generation of film 120, as bearing friction, tire or film 120 contact with the rolling of the rail that underlies the friction being produced, also have fluid G in tire or film 120, to rock or the friction causing of flowing.

Temperature that can be based on sensed fluid G or this heat transfer medium, at the flow of outside Heat Transfer Control MEDIA FLOW over-heat-exchanger 170.This flow can be subject to computing machine or other processor control, as shown in Figure 1 central processing unit 30 and computing machine 35.In addition, this flow can be subject to also controlling signal is sent to same computing machine or other processors of ultrasonic transducer 160 or is subject to another autonomous system control.And, can based on the factor that senses or expect start or guarantee or increase or reduce heat transfer medium and flow through the flow of heat exchanger.For example, can accelerate or slow down by the speed of expection railcar, increase or lower heat transfer medium flow, thereby explain the increase of friction or reduce.Similarly, can be because of the variation of environment temperature in environment, or the prediction of temperature variation based on to surrounding environment, increase or reduce the flow of heat transfer medium.

The heat exchanger 170 showing in Figure 10 can connect with the heat transfer system of any type known to persons of ordinary skill in the art.This heat transfer system can comprise being arranged on and checks vehicles, as railcar compartment, and can comprise one or more rolling seekers or wheel assembly 100, rolling seeker or wheel assembly as shown in Fig. 8-10, it comprises tire or film 120, can be mounted and align to roll and contact with the rail that underlies.Heat transfer system also can comprise the return manifolds and the circuit that the supply manifold of heat transfer medium and circuit are provided and stretch out from rolling seeker or wheel assembly 100 to rolling seeker or wheel assembly 100.Heat transfer system also can comprise for the sensing of thermopair (or other devices) and connecting, to monitor the temperature through the fluid of those manifolds and circuit.

Heat transfer system also can comprise heat transfer unit (HTU), as freezer unit, well heater or other are designed to serve as the device of freezer unit or well heater and filtrator.Heat transfer system and device can be designed to provide the stream of the heat transfer medium in predetermined or ideal temperature and flow velocity to supplying with manifold and circuit, and receive the heat transfer medium stream from discharge manifold and circuit.In addition, heat transfer system can functionally be connected with robotization part with device, to receive about the control signal of temperature of supplying with heat transfer medium in manifold and circuit and return manifolds and circuit, and can correspondingly automatically increase or reduce the flow of heat transfer medium, or can correspondingly improve or reduce the temperature of this heat transfer medium.For example, if the temperature rise that the heat transfer medium in return manifolds is sensed is on set point or drop under it, or outside acceptable scope, heat transfer system can be removed from it to heat transfer medium heating or hot by heat exchanger, or the flow velocity of the heat transfer medium of can accelerating or slow down.

Tire of the present utility model or film, the tire as shown in the tire as shown in Fig. 2-4 or film 84 or Fig. 8-10 or film 120, can be made up as polyurethane of the flexible material of any suitable tool.Tire or film can fluid be filled to surveying instrument and be measured as with any desirable pressure, as about 5 to 10 pound per square inches (psi), or the pressure of about 34.475 to 68.950 kPas (kPa).Or, tire or film 120 can fluid G be filled to surveying instrument and be measured as with about 10 to 15 pound per square inches (psi), or the pressure of about 68.950 to 103.425 kPas (kPa), so that tire or film contact with the rolling that the railway track underliing keeps suitable.And tire of the present utility model or film can be any suitable thickness, as 0.060 to 0.075 inch (in), or 1.524 to 1.905 millimeters (mm) is thick, or any other thickness.Moreover, tire of the present utility model or film can be as desired in the operator of system and method for the present utility model with any suitable speed walking.

Rolling seeker of the present utility model or wheel assembly can use any amount of transducer.For example, rolling seeker or wheel assembly can comprise two transducers, as shown in the embodiment of Fig. 3 and 4.Rolling seeker also can comprise one, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten or any other quantity according to transducer of the present utility model.And transducer can be oriented with respect to direction of travel forward or backward, and perpendicular or parallel with the arrangement of railway track, or with any other direction with along any axis.Moreover transducer of the present utility model can be the combination of transmitter, receiver or transmitter and receiver.

Method and system of the present utility model can further use heat exchanger and the heat transfer system of any type, and as closed loop heat transfer system, it can comprise one or more well heaters that communicate with heat exchanger fluid or freezer unit.Preferably, heat exchanger of the present utility model is designed to bear surveying instrument and measures as about 60 pound per square inches (psi), or the built-in function pressure of 413.685 kPas (kPa), and the heat transfer medium maintenance in heat transfer system is separated with the fluid in tire or film.Although rolling seeker of the present utility model or wheel assembly are designed to make fluid and heat transfer medium to keep separated from each other, and prevent that fluid from directly contacting mutually with heat transfer medium, but fluid and heat transfer medium are preferably same fluid, weight about 50 percent is the potpourri that water and 50 percent is ethylene glycol.Ethylene glycol is the preferred ingredient of fluid G, because its solidifying point is low, especially in the time mixing with water.Pure ethylene glycol solidifies at about-12 DEG C (+10 ℉), and about 50 percent is that the potpourri that water and 50 percent is ethylene glycol solidifies at about-38 DEG C (36 ℉) by volume.But according to the utility model, can be any suitable heat transfer medium for being arranged in the heat exchanger of wheel tyre cavity.

In the rolling seeker of the present utility model or wheel assembly of the heat exchanger in use is arranged on the tire that is full of fluid, this interchanger can connect with the heat transfer system of any type, this system can be maintained at railcar, compartment or other and check vehicles above, and can comprise one or more well heaters or freezer unit and temperature controlling instruments.Although can utilize any type of joint by heat exchanger with return collector according to the confession of heat transfer system of the present utility model and be connected, but heat exchanger and heat transfer system with joint be preferably with quick connection fittings, make to roll seeker or wheel assembly can be with the pairings of the form of module and heat transfer system.In addition, flexible pipe can be made up of any material, as insulation or be provided with the rubber of sheath, to reduce the heat transmission between surrounding environment and heat transfer medium as far as possible, although and rolling seeker or wheel assembly have various vibrations and impact in the time that railway track is walked, flexible pipe also can make heat exchanger keep and heat transfer system fluid communication.

Although the utility model was described in multiple embodiment, in the situation that not departing from spirit of the present utility model, the utility model can have a lot of variants and replacement scheme, and this can be understood.For example, wheel assembly can be combined with other crack detection sensors and equipment use or be used separately.As long as transducer can be fixed with respect to the position of rail, in wheel assembly, transducer just can adopt various suspention form.Tire or film can be made up of the flexible material of other tools outside polyurethane, as long as supersonic beam can pass through between tire or film and rail rail head.Thereby the utility model is open in a preferred embodiment without limitation by explanation.

The system and method that utilizes rolling seeker of the present utility model to carry out rail inspection provides multiple advantages that surpass prior art.The first, by allowing operating personnel the temperature of tire inner fluid can be remained on to constant level, the environment temperature during regardless of inspection how, the assay that also can obtain meeting the specification.The second, rolling seeker function of the present utility model many can use anywhere, the mountain area from xeothermic desert to many snow all can because those rolling seekers can adapt to the temperature difference, and correspondingly provide the assay meeting the specification.The 3rd, rolling seeker of the present utility model can also adapt in operating process because friction produces or produce from any other external heating power.The 4th, because temperature rise meeting causes the pressure of tire inner fluid to increase, make operating personnel the maintenance of tire in heat transfer system or miscellaneous part and wearing and tearing can be reduced to minimum so control the temperature of tire inner fluid.

And as described above, system and method disclosed herein can be used to multiple application scheme and be not limited to for checking railway track.For example, those system and methods can be used to any surface, as road surface, ground or other structures, or carry out ultrasonic examination for any thought reason.

It should be understood that except indicating significantly or impliedly herein, any feature of describing with regard to a certain specific embodiment herein, characteristic, substitute or amendment also can be employed or use, or be combined with any other embodiment as herein described.And, it should be understood that equally accompanying drawing is not to draw in proportion.

Condition term, comprising as " can (can, could) " or " can (might, may) ", unless otherwise specifically indicated, or in used linguistic context outside another Rational Solutions, be conventionally intended to disclose that some embodiment can comprise but undesired some feature, element and/or step.Therefore, all need in one or more embodiments in any case this condition term is not intended to mean feature, element and/or step conventionally, or these one or more embodiment must comprise for determining that whether (no matter user whether inputted or point out) comprise or implement the logic of these features, element and/or step at any specific embodiment.

The religious doctrine of those of ordinary skill in the related art based on is herein known, can make a lot of changes and amendment to the above-described embodiment of the utility model and other embodiment not departing from the spirit of this area defined in claim.Correspondingly, thisly should be understood to be illustrative and nonrestrictive to the detailed description of presently preferred embodiment.

Although the utility model is to be described and to illustrate according to its exemplary embodiment, can, in the case of not departing from the spirit and scope of present disclosure, make aforementioned and various other increases and omission to it.

Claims (4)

1. rolling seeker, comprises:

Be full of the tire of liquid;

At least one is suspended in the ultrasonic transducer in this tire; And

Be suspended in the heat exchanger in this tire, wherein this heat exchanger is suitable for receiving heat transfer medium stream from external source, to regulate the temperature of this liquid.

2. rolling seeker as claimed in claim 1, wherein this tire is made up of polyurethane.

3. rolling seeker as claimed in claim 1, wherein this tire is made up of silica gel.

4. rolling seeker as claimed in claim 1, wherein the diameter of this tire is at least six inches.