US3596503A

US3596503A - Method and apparatus for manipulating and testing railway wheels

Info

Publication number: US3596503A
Application number: US744724A
Authority: US
Inventors: Alden V Gay; Beverly J Balbinot
Original assignee: Amsted Industries Inc
Current assignee: Amsted Industries Inc
Priority date: 1968-07-15
Filing date: 1968-07-15
Publication date: 1971-08-03
Anticipated expiration: 1988-08-03

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for moving railway wheels into and out of a testing station where they are lowered into a tank containing water and rotated in an upright position. During rotation, ultrasonic devices located within the tank test the wheel for internal defects and warpage. The wheel is then ejected from the testing station.

Description

- Assignee Inventors Alden V. uay;

Beverly J. Balbinot. both of Prairie Village.v

Kans.

July 15. 1968 Aug. 3, 197 1 Amsted Industries Incorporated Chicago, Ill.

Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 504,342, Oct. 24, 1965, now abandoned.

Appl. No. Filed Patented METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANIPULATING AND TESTING RAILWAY WHEELS 15 Claims, 11 Drawing Figs.

u.s. c1 73/678 Int. Cl G0ln 24/00 Field ol Search 73/67.5,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,148,535 9/1964 Lemelson 73/675 3,266,300 8/1966 Graboski o. 73/7l.5 FOREIGN PATENTS 1.084902 1/1955 France Primary Examiner-Richard C. Queisser Assistant Examiner-Arthur E. Korkosz Attorneys-WalterL. Schlegel, Jr. and Russell W. Pyle ABSTRACT: An apparatus is provided for moving railway wheels into and out of a testing station where they are lowered into a tank containing water and rotated in an upright position. During rotation, ultrasonic devices located within the tank test the wheel for internal defects and warpage. The wheel is then ejected from the testing station.

PATENTED Aus 31am SHEET 4 0F 5 TESTING RAILWAY WHEELS This is a continuation-in-part of copending application Ser.

No. 504,342, filed Oct. 24, l965now abandoned. The invention relates to a method and'apparatus for manipulating and testing railway wheels and more particularly to such a method and apparatus especially suitable for use in a production line operation wherein the wheels are-to be tested for internal de fects and warpage.

In the production of railway wheels by conventional casting methods, defects have sometimes been found to occur near the outer periphery of the structure, which might further result in faults under actual prolonged service conditions.

- Railway wheels and other similar objects, because of their high weight and unusual shape, have heretofore been difficult to manipulate in such a manner as to be efficiently and rapidly tested, in aproduction line operation.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide a fully automatic method and device for manipulating and testing wheels in a production line operation. Another object is to provide an automatic apparatus for stopping such a wheel at a testing station, lowering the wheel into a tank, rotating the wheel in coordination with an ultrasonic transducer, and thereafter raising and ejecting the wheel from the testing station. 7

Other objects will become apparent from an examination of the following description and appended claims taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG 1 isa perspective schematic view 'of one of the principal components of the apparatus for handling the wheels in v the testing operation;

, FIG. 2 is an elevational'view shown in FIG. I;

- FIG. 3 is a transverse vertical view taken at line 3-3 of FIG.

of structure and mechanism FIG. 4 is a view taken at line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is'an enlarged fragmentary'sectional view showing the positionsof the'wheel and sensing head in the water tank;

FIG. 6' is a schematic of an electrical circuit which may be used in connection with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a side view of another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8, is an end view of the structure shown in FIG. 7; FIG. 9 is aside view of a further embodiment'of the invention;''

1 FlG. 10 is end view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 9;

and v FIG. 11 is a detailed view of a portion of the device shown in FIG. 9.

It is known that certain crystals, such as quartz or lithium sulfate exhibit piezoelectric properties which may be used in various ways. The application of a pulsating electric current to such a crystal at a given frequency will result in excitation or vibration of thecrystal at the same frequency. In the same manner, reflections of such sound ways back from a solid object cause mechanical pressures to be imposed upon such a crystal,,thereby producing small electrical pulses which may beamplified and accurately measured. By measuring such reflections received from an exterior-surface and possibly an interior surface in the form of an echo of a solid object, it is possible to detect internal voids and other defects, which give rise to intermediate signals that are out of phase with the signal normally received.

It has been found that in many applications, ultrasonic vibrations cannot be effectively transmitted through air, and an appropriate medium must be employed. One technique involves direct contact of the crystal against the object to be tested which has been coated with an appropriate coupling medium, such as grease, oil or glycerine. This method has been found to be inefficient for the testing of large objects,

be removed after completion of the test.

The present invention contemplates an apparatus for automatically testing such large objects by immersion wherein the ultrasonic waves are conducted through the medium of water without the necessity of contacting the object with the crystal. Such an apparatus is shown schematically and in a highly simplified form in FIGS. 1-3.

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a production line testing station for railway wheels wherein a single wheel 10 is shown rolling along a production line track including an entrance rail 12 and an exit rail 14. Suitable means, such as fixed horizontal guard rails 16 (FIG. 2), are provided to maintain the wheel in an upright position, although it is desirable to maintain the wheel in a balanced state on the rail. A short segment 18 of rail is positioned in alignment between the

rails

12 and 14, and rollers 20 are interposed between both ends of rail segment 18 and the respective opposing ends of

rails

12 and 14. As shown in FIG. 3, the rollers 20 are each mounted on a shaft 21 journaled at both ends in bearing supports 23 secured'on the stationary framework 24, mentioned below.

A vertically movable carriage 22, provided within a stationary framework 24, is used for immersing the rim of the wheel in a water pit 26 located below the carriage. The carriage 22 includes a bottom framework 28 and a top framework 30 interconnected by a plurality of vertical supporting members 32. A power hydraulic cylinder 33 is connected between the top of stationary framework 24 and the carriage 22 for reciprocation of the carriage into and out of the water pit 26.

A bar 34 secured at its midpoint to a shaft 36 journaled in the carriage 22 and movable therewith, is provided to stop and thereafter eject the wheel from the testing station. As shown in of a power cylinder 46 is pivotally connected to said crank for rotation of the shaft and bar.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, a wheel 10 entering a testing station rolls off entrance rail 12 onto rail segment 18 whereupon the wheel is stopped by engagement of its flange 40 with the notches 38 of the bar 34. The bar 34 is rotated and the carriage is lowered to bring the wheel 10 into engagement with the rollers 20, one of which is driven by a motor 48 operatively connected by means of drive belts 50 to the corresponding roller shaft 21 (FIG. 3). When the wheel is resting on the rollers 20, its position is such that the rim of the wheel is immersed in the water-filled pit 26. The wheel is tested during rotation in the manner previously described and then raised by actuation of the power cylinder to the level of the exit rail 14. Power cylinder 46 (FIG. 1) is then actuated to rotate the shaft 36 and bar 34, whereby the wheel is ejected onto the exit rail 14 and away from the testing station.

As shown in FIG. 5, the rim of the wheel 10 is immersed in water during the testing operation, the water acting as a couplant for the ultrasonic waves emitted from one or more transducers containing piezoelectric crystals, such as those shown at 52 and 54. The transducers 52 and 54 are located below the water level and are aimed at an exterior surface of the wheel. A source of pulsating electric current (not shown) having a frequency in the range of to 1000 cycles per second is connected to the transducers 52 and 54 in order to produce the desired signal.

The transducers 52 and 54 are most advantageously positioned in a perpendicular relationship to one another, with one 52 being parallel to the axis of the wheel aimed at the back face 56 of the rim, the other being perpendicular to the axis of the wheel and aimed at the tread 58 thereof. The transducers are also capable of receiving the signals reflected from the wheel, and such signals may be monitored by any suitable conventional device, such as an oscilloscope.

By rotating the wheel for at least one complete revolution, it is possible to inspect theentire wheel for internal defects. The

I j circuit by means of stepdown transformer-T4.

.. become'stsbilized and lowered.

lnapreferred sequence, the circuit operation is as follows: thewheel in, the station is lowered with th activation of CR2 through contact Chit-1 after a short periodbf time for which I 12450, m lhufacturedby Sperry: Produc' 'neetieut. The-T13R24 contact therefore, A e I ,signals'emitted from the monitoring deviceffrbm teringthe circuit until the wheel is'rotating injthe testingpit produced, which may be monitored bythe use of an ap propriate' monitoring} device. The other transducer 54 will receives direct reflection from the tread-58 and will also receive asecondary'pulse when a defect is encountered, The

4 use of two or more transducers makes it possible 'to'in'spect the entireouter periphery of the wheel in areas where defects are most likely to occur. The transducers are preferably adjustsbly mountedin suitable bracketaxsuch as that schemati 'cslly shown'at 57, so as to enable universal positioning relative "toanysizewlieehw,

' "fl'heelectric circuit enabling the device'to operate in an au to'instic manner isillustrated in FlG. 6. Upon closing-circuit breakeri, 440 vac, 60 c.p.s. 3 phase, is made available and l -l=vac., c.p.s.', I phase, is made available tothe control i The'incoming wheel to be tested trips'a strategically located relay CR2, time delay. relays TDRl, TDR2 and TDii-Zhas well as starter motor coil Ml, thereby causing on'e'oi the rollers20 Qjlhe device may also be opera incoming wheels without testing. For this purpose, SS1 is set in sl i i s ,s redeterminsd evei. i v I ted to automatically eject th the "thru position. The incoming wheel closes LS1, and CR1 actlv'ates'CRl-J and CRl-Z, whereupon the kicker circuit is utilized to eject the wheel through TDRS'and CR3 and their contacts as hereinbetore described. Upon exit, the wheel trips a strategically located switch LS3 (shown at in FIG. 1) whereby the kicker circuit is reset for the next wheel.

FIGS. and 8 show an alternate apparatus for accommodating' the wheel in the testing station and lowering it into the I limit switchLSl-(shown at 63 in FIGA), which energizes water pit. An arcuatesegment is providedwhlch performs the combined function of rail segment 18 and bar 34 in the first embodiment. Segment 70 directly supports the wheel in the testing operation, and is actuated to eject'the wheel after the testing operation is completed. Segment 70 is incorporated in a carriage '72 mounted for vertical reciprocation in a'stationsry frame structure '74 which is similar tothe struc ture 24. One end. of segment '70 is pivoted insuitablebearing means 76; the other end of said segment is free and is connected to a pull rod 78 actuated by a power device 79. At the start of the testingcycle, thesegment 70 is in the position shown by dotted lines in FIG. .7. The wheel is rolled onto seg mentlll and the carriageiit is lowered until the wheel rests on to rotate and rotate the'wheel supported thereon. TORI is set for a sutficientlength of time to allow a'shortdelay, before the wheel is lowered. TDRZ is set forthe time requiredvlto lower 1 and thereafter, rotate, the wheel for about its revolution.-

Tfiltd 'i's set for a time sufficie nt to enable thewheel to roar-1 issenbyopening solenoid valve sol li-tcylinder minim-T13R34 loses,t ilstabiliet tion of thewheel), which complet thewimuit m aoflvenficml ,fifrsnsigate monitoring device bne such device isf smash n sp . As mentioned previously, ultrasonic sig'niilsar from the transducers 52 and 54 to the wheel andreilected therefrom. lls'deiectis encountered, an intermediate signal wilbbe received which may be selectively detected by the monitor. Such an intermediate signal is amplified to produce smelectric: pulse sufficient to energize the latching control v if desirable, the operator may then rotatethe wheel in steps by depresslnp the .lOG Pit-3, which activates Mi. By

visually observinp signals on an oscilloscope, the operator may thereby determine the exact location of the defect. lnorder to iQg-filitlllifd the alarm circuit, PR4 (*ltESET) is depressed to unlstch CliLl through unlatching control relay'CRUL on I conductor 23.

if no defect is encountered, the wheel continues to rotate in a lowered until TDR2 deenergisesthe lowering oircult throughits contact iblthl, which opens. SOLA closes and the carriage moves into its upper position. LS2 is a switch mounted in any convenient location on the apparatus, which closes when the carriage is in up position. Meanwhile, TDRS throu h contact T15R54 activates Cltdand lljild.

operates 7L4 through Child and C1133, which causes the kicker (power cylinder as in FIG. I) to eject the wheel from the testini station. 'lbl throu'gh'oontsct TDlt t-d maintains roves seiivst'sduntilthe wheel clears the testini station. The

A with new in readiness for the nest wheel. Psi is a nest rollers20'. The testing operation is then performed as herein before described. After testing, the carriage '72. is raised and thepower device 72 isa'ctuated, thereby lifting the free end of theseiment 72 to the position show out of'the testing station. 4

FlCiSuQ-Jl illustrate a more sophisticated version or the n, causing thewheel to roll 1 devices hereinbeforedescribed, which is designed to accom modate railway wheels of various, sizes, is capable of testing for wsrpage} and contains other features which will hereintllter be more fully. described. i

As shown in FIGS. '9 and 10, a verticallymovable carriage Mis-sgsinprQvided within a stationary framework 92 with a hydraulic cylinder 94 connected therebetween for actuation of the'c'arriage. in this instance, the hydraulic cylinder 94 is .assistedb'y means of co'unterweights 96 connected by cables 98over rotatable pulleys 100 to the carriage by thimble cismps'l02. As shown in FlG. l0. a pair of pulleys are mounted at each side on a common shaft 104 rotatably mounted at its ends in opposed bearings 106 secured to oppos ing vertical members 108 oi the stationary framework 92.

Wheels enter the testing station from the left of FIG. 9 whereupon theyroll upon a pair of spaced rollers lit) and 112 mounted on respective shafts 114 and lid journaled at both ends in bearings, such as 118 and 120 (FIG. 10) secured to the movable carriage 90. This arrangement is distinguishable from those previously described, in that the roller assemblies move with the carriage. it may be seen from FlG. it) that the

rollers

110 and 112 have a contour adapted to the shape of the wheel Means are provided to stop the wheel 122 as it enters the testing 'stationrA substantially horizontal arm 124 is secured near the center of a shaft 126 pivctally mounted in the car rings. A second arm 128 is secured near one end of the shaft 126, and the other end is pivotally connected to a hydraulic cylinder 130, activation of which pivots. the horizontal arm 124 up to stop the incoming wheel.

After the wheel has been stopped on the rollers ill) and H2, the carria e is ioweredinto the water tank 132 by esten- 'sion oi the hydraulic cylinder 94. Means are provided to rotate oneofthe rollers 112 while in such position, including a motor 134 mounted upon a stationary support iddand operativciy connected to the'shah lid of said roller by the following means: a sprocket laid on the shaft oi the motoriSd is in alignment with a second sprocket rotatably mounted in the stationary framework 92, and third and fourth sprockets H2 and 144, respectively, sremcunted in the same plane on the movable csrris e 90. As shown in W6. 10, the shaft oi the fourth sprocket 144 extends within the carriage and an inner switch, which energizes M2 ot a pump motor when the water in i sprocket 148 is connected thereto for driving the sprocket 150 of the roller 112. As schematically shown in FIG. 9, an endless chain 152 is connected from the motor sprocket 126 around the secondsprocket 140 on the fixed framework. wrapped around the fourth sprocket 144 and up over the third sprocket 142 and back down to the motor sprocket. A second endless chain 154 interconnects the inner sprocket 148 with the sprocket 150 of the roller 112.

The foregoing arrangement allows the motor 134 to be mounted stationary relative to the movable carriage. which is a desirable. feature. in that vibrations from the motor might otherwise interfere with the ultrasonic test.

Means are also provided in the apparatus to maintain the wheel in a vertical position duringrotation. in order that the wheel may be tested ultrasonically for warpage. A vertical roller 156 is rotatably mounted in a suitable bracket 158 secured to the movable carriage.90.'lt may be seen in FIG. that the vertical roller 156ls so positioned to engage the back face of the wheel 122'. in the testing station and is relatively long to=accommodatevarious wheel sizes.

A pair of horizontal rollers 160-and 1621s provided at each side of the device insuch a position as to be engageable with the outer periphery 164 (FIG. 10).of the wheel 122 on the side thereof opposite to that engaged by roller. 156'and' in a positiont-ransverse thereto. As shown. theserollers are also of a sufficient length as to be compatible with a complete range of wheel,- sizes to be tested.

Rollers

160 and 162 are each rotatably mountedin

respective brackets

166 and 168 secured to aninterconnected by a horizontal shaft 170 journaied at both;ends in the carriage 90. Means are provided to urge the

rollers

160 and 162 against the wheel 122. such as at least one hydraulic cylinder 172 (H0. 10) pivotally connected to the movablecarriage 90 at 174 and having a piston rod 176 pivotally connected to a lever 178. which is connected to the shaft 170. Extension ofhydraulic cylinder piston rod 176 will thus cause the rollers 160 and 162m move inwardly toward the vertical roller 156 to hold the wheel in a vertical position during rotation and testing.-.

The wheel-ejecting mechanism includes an arm 180 having a lateral projection 182 at the lowerend thereof located in the same vertical plane as thewheel 122. said arm being secured at its upper end to a shaft183 journaled in a bearing block 185 secured to the carriage 90. A second arm 184 located outside ofthe plane of the wheel 122 is also secured to the shaft 183 at .its lower end and pivotally connected at its upper end to the piston rod 186 ofa hydraulic cylinder 188 pivotally connected at the cylinder end thereof to the carriage 90. it will be noted that when in a normal position. the kicker arm 180 extends downwardly. and actuation of the hydraulic cylinder 188 rotates said arm upwardly whereupon the lateral projection 182 contacts the wheel in a'generally upward and longitudinal direction. A

Bridge means are also provided in the present device to allow the wheel to pass through the testing station without being tested. For this purpose.-as shown in FIGS. 9 and 11. a cylindrical segment 190is secured upon the upstanding extensions 192 of a pair of arms 192secured to a shaft 196 journaled in the carriage 90. Another arm 198 is secured to the shaft 196,the other .end being pivotally connected to the piston rod 2000f a hydraulic cylinder 202-which is pivotally mounted at 204in a suitable bracket 206 secured to the carriage 90. The arrangement is so designed and located such that in a normal position the cylindrical segment 190 is swung away below and to one side of the wheel 122. so as not to interfere with the testing-operation. Actuation of the cylinder 202 will cause the cylindrical segment 190 to swing up into a position in line with the top ofthe rollers 110 and 122, thereby allowing the wheel to pass through the station.

From the foregoing description, the overall operation of the device may be understood. in order to testthe wheel for warpage. reference is again directed to FIG. 5 showing the position of transducerSZ with respect to the wheel. This transducer may be carefully aimed such that warpage of the wheel will cause the returning signal to be deflected at an angle as illustrated. The monitoring device can be set to emit an electrical impulse to the circuit of the device in the absence of a continuous signal.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for manipulating and testing a railway wheel comprising a testing station. an entrance and exit rail leading respectively to and from said station, means for stoppinga wheel as it enters the testing station from the entrance rail and thereafter ejecting the wheel from the testing station onto the exit rail. a tank containing a liquid below said testing station. transducer means within said liquid. means to energize said transducer means so as to transmit an ultrasonic test wave to said wheel. means to analyze signals received by said transducer means upon reception of a reflected wave. means for lowering the rim of said wheel in an upright position into said liquid in coordination with said transducer means and thereafter raising the rim of the wheel out of the liquid. and means for rotating the wheel while performing the ultrasonic test.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the means for lowering and raising the wheel comprises a stationary framework. a carriage. means for supporting said wheel in said carriage. and power cylinder means connected between said stationary framework and said carriage for vertical reciprocation ofsaid carriage relative to said framework.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the means for stopping and ejecting the wheel comprises an arm pivotally mounted in the carriage intermediate the ends of said arm, and means for pivoting said arm relative to said wheel.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein means are provided to allow the wheel to pass through the testing station without being stopped and tested.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the means to allow the wheel to pass through the testing station comprises a rail segment between the entrance and exit rails. said rail segment being swingable into and out of alignment with said entrance and exit rails.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein means are provided to prevent the wheel from tilting away from upright position during rotation. said means comprising a vertical roller rotatably mounted in the carriage and engagenble with the backface of the wheel. a pair of horizontal rollers engagesble with the wheel on the other side thereof. and means for urging said horizontal rollers against said wheel.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein means responsive to the analyzing means are provided to automatically stop the wheel in a lowered position when a defect is analyzed.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein means are provided to rotate the wheel by manual control after the wheel has been stopped in a lowered position.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein means are provided to eject the wheel from the testing station before it is lowered into the liquid.

10. The process of automatically manipulating and testing a railway wheel in a production line operation including a testing station and an entrance and exit rail leading respectively to and from said station. said testing station including a tank containing a liquid with at least one transducer mounted therein. comprising rolling a wheel in an upright position on the entrance rail into the testing station. stopping the wheel at the testing station. and thereafter in automatic sequence. immersing the rim of the wheel in said liquid and rotating the wheel therein. energizing said transducer so as to transmit an ultrasonic test wave to said wheel. analyzing signals received by said transducer upon reception of a reflected wave. raising the rim of the wheel out of the liquid. and ejecting the wheel from the testing station onto the exit rail.

11. in an apparatus for manipulating and testing railway wheels including a tank containing a liquid with a transducer mounted in said tank. means for supporting and rotating the rim of a single wheel in said liquid. roller means contacting both sides of said wheel for restraining tilting movements of said wheel from vertical position during rotation thereof. said transducer being aimed at the rim of the wheel on a line substantially parallel to the rotational axis thereof. means to energize said transducer so as to transmit an ultrasonic test wave to said wheel, and means to analyze signals received by said transducer upon reception of a reflected wave.

12. In an apparatus for manipulating and ultrasonically testing railway wheels, a tank containing a liquid, a stationary framework above said tank, a carriage supported by said framework and movable vertically with respect thereto, a pair of spaced rollers rotatably mounted in said carriage and adapted to support a wheel, means for moving the carriage up and down to the extent that the rim' of a wheel supported on the rollers is immersed in said liquid, power means for rotating one of said rollers, said power means being mounted stationary relative to vertical movements of said carriage, means for connecting said power means to said one roller and operative at any vertical position of the carriage, a transducer mounted in said tank, means to energize said transducer so as to transmit an ultrasonic test wave to said wheel, and means to analyze signals received by said transducer upon reception of a reflected wave.

13. The apparatus according to claim l2 wherein the means for connecting said power means to said one roller comprises a first sprocket on said power means and rotatably driven thereby, a second sprocket rotatably mounted on said stationary framework, third and fourth sprockets rotatably mounted on said carriage below said second sprocket and in alignment therewith, said fourth sprocket being' located below, said third sprocket, and an endless chain connected from said first sprocket around the second sprocket, ,wrapped around the fourth sprocket, up and over said third sprocket and back to said first sprocket.

14. A method of manipulating and testing a railway wheel comprising rotating the rim of a wheel around its axis in a liquid on a pair of spaced rollers, contacting the wheel on both sides with other rollers to prevent the wheel from tilting toward its axis during rotation, aiming a transducer within said liquid at said rim along a line substantially parallel to said axis, energizing said transducer so as to transmit an ultrasonic test wave to the side surface of the rim ofsaid wheel, and analyzing signals received by said transducer upon reception of a wave reflected from said surface to determine deviations of said wave from a line substantially parallel to said wheel axis.

15. in an apparatus for manipulating and testing railway wheels, means for supporting and rotating a single wheel in an upright vertical position, roller means contacting both sides of said wheel for restraining tilting movements of said wheel from vertical position during rotation thereof, and means for performing an ultrasonic test on an outside side surface of said wheel to detect warpage therein.

Claims

1. Apparatus for manipulating and testing a railway wheel comprising a testing station, an entrance and exit rail leading respectively to and from said station, means for stopping a wheel as it enters the testing station from the entrance rail and thereafter ejecting the wheel from the testing station onto the exit rail, a tank containing a liquid below said testing station, transducer means within said liquid, means to energize said transducer means so as to transmit an ultrasonic test wave to said wheel, means to analyze signals received by said transducer means upon reception of a reflected wave, means for lowering the rim of said wheel in an upright position into said liquid in coordination with said transducer means and thereafter raising the rim of the wheel out of the liquid, and means for rotating the wheel while performing the ultrasonic test.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the means for lowering and raising the wheel comprises a stationary framework, a carriage, means for supporting said wheel in said carriage, and power cylinder means connected between said stationary framework and said carriage for vertical reciprocation of said carriage relative to said framework.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the means to allow the wheel to pass through the testing station comprises a rail segment between the entrance and exit rails, said rail segment being swingable into and out of alignment with said entrance and exit rails.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein means are provided to prevent the wheel from tilting away from upright position during rotation, said means comprising a vertical roller rotatably mounted in the carriage and engageable with the backface of the wheel, a pair of horizontal rollers engageable with the wheel on the other side thereof, and means for urging said horizontal rollers against said wheel.

10. The process of automatically manipulating and testing a railway wheel in a production line operation including a testing station and an entrance and exit rail leading respectively to and from said station, said testing station including a tank containing a liquid with at least one transducer mounted therein, comprising rolling a wheel in an upright position on the entrance rail into the testing station, stopping the wheel at the testing station, and thereafter in automatic sequence, immersing the rim of the wheel in said liquid and rotating the wheel therein, energizing said transducer so as to transmit an ultrasonic test wave to said wheel, analyzing signals received by said transducer upon reception of a reflected wave, raising the rim of the wheel out of the liquid, and ejecting the wheel from the testing station onto the exit rail.

11. In an apparatus for manipulating and testing railway wheels including a tank containing a liquid with a transducer mounted in said tank, means for supporting and rotating the rim of a single wheel in said liquid, roller means contacting both sides of said wheel for restraining tilting movements of said wheel from vertical position during rotation thereof, said transducer being aimed at the rim of the wheel on a line substantially parallel to the rotational axis thereof, means to energize said transducer so as to transmit an ultrasonic test wave to said wheel, and means to analyze signals received by said transducer upon reception of a reflected wave.

12. In an apparatus for manipulating and ultrasonically testing railway wheels, a tank containing a liquid, a stationary framework above said tank, a carriage supported by said framework and movable vertically with respect thereto, a pair of spaced rollers rotatably mounted in said carriage and adapted to support a wheel, means for moving the carriage up and down to the extent that the rim of a wheel supported on the rollers is immersed in said liquid, power means for rotating one of said rollers, said power means being mounted stationary relative to vertical movements of said carriage, means for connecting said power means to said one roller and operative at any vertical position of the carriage, a transducer mounted in said tank, means to energize said transducer so as to transmit an ultrasonic test wave to said wheel, and means to analyze signals received by said transducer upon reception of a reflected wave.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the means for connecting said power means to said one roller comprises a first sprocket on said power means and rotatably driven thereby, a second sprocket rotatably mounted on said stationary framework, third and fourth sprockets rotatably mounted on said carriage below said second sprocket and in alignment therewith, said fourth sprocket being located below said third sprocket, and an endless chain connected from said first sprocket around the second sprocket, wrapped around the fourth sprocket, up and over said third sprocket and back to said first sprocket.

14. A method of manipulating and testing a railway wheel comprising rotating the rim of a wheel around its axis in a liquid on a pair of spaced rollers, contacting the wheel on both sides with other rollers to prevent the wheel from tilting toward its axis during rotation, aiming a transducer within said liquid at said rim along a line substantially parallel to said axis, energizing said transducer so as to transmit an ultrasonic test wave to the side surface of the rim of said wheel, and analyzing signals received by said transducer upon reception of a wave reflected from said surface to determine deviations of said wave from a line substantially parallel to said wheel axis.