US4050292A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for testing railroad wheels
Assignee: Krautkramer Branson Inc
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Filing: 1976-10-18
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Granted: 1977-09-27
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Expires: 1996-10-18
Abstract
Abstract An ultrasonic pulse-echo apparatus tests railroad wheels passing through a test zone by sending ultrasonic energy into the rim of the wheels. Sensing means are disposed to discern the type of wheel e.g. locomotive wheel or freight car wheel to be tested and provide a corresponding control signal which adjusts the sensitivity of the test apparatus. This arrangement causes the apparatus to be conditioned for registering relatively small defects in locomotive wheels, but passing over small defects in other wheels which are stressed to a lesser extent, e.g. freight car wheels. Hence, the sensitivity of the test apparatus is continuously responsive to the wheel category undergoing test.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter K. Bloch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 23:50
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/36; G01N29/40; G01N2291/00; G01N2291/26; G01N2291/262; G01N2291/2623; G01N2291/269; G01N2291/2692; G01N2291/2696
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for testing railroad wheels in a test zone comprising the steps of: sensing the presence in the test zone of a wheel falling within a first category or a wheel falling within a second category and providing a corresponding control signal; transmitting an acoustic energy search signal into the wheel and receiving defect responsive echo signals therefrom; selectively detecting responsive to said control signal defects of a first magnitude in a wheel falling within said first category and defects of a second magnitude in a wheel falling within said second category.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for testing railroad wheels in a test zone comprising the steps of: sensing the presence in the test zone of a wheel falling within a first category or a wheel falling within a second category and providing a corresponding control signal; transmitting an acoustic energy search signal into the wheel and receiving defect responsive echo signals therefrom; selectively detecting responsive to said control signal defects of a first magnitude in a wheel falling within said first category and defects of a second magnitude in a wheel falling within said second category.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method for testing as set forth in claim 1, said selectively detecting comprising changing the detection level for different defect magnitudes.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
91 words
An apparatus for testing railroad wheels in a test zone comprising: sensing means disposed for detecting the presence of a wheel falling within a first category or a wheel falling within a second category and providing a corresponding control signal; ultrasonic defect detection means disposed in the test zone and adapted to be conditioned to selectively detect defects in the wheel of a first magnitude and of a second magnitude, and means coupling said control signal to said defect detection means for conditioning said detection means responsive to said control signal.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
91 words
An apparatus for testing railroad wheels in a test zone comprising: sensing means disposed for detecting the presence of a wheel falling within a first category or a wheel falling within a second category and providing a corresponding control signal; ultrasonic defect detection means disposed in the test zone and adapted to be conditioned to selectively detect defects in the wheel of a first magnitude and of a second magnitude, and means coupling said control signal to said defect detection means for conditioning said detection means responsive to said control signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 3, said sensing means being responsive to the weight on the wheel to be tested.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 3, said sensing means being responsive to the type of vehicle to which a wheel is coupled.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 3, said control signal changing the gain of said defect detection means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 3, said control signal adjusting signal attenuation means forming a part of said detection means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 3, said control signal changing the detection level of said detection means.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
65 words
An apparatus for testing railroad wheels comprising: sensing means disposed for detecting the presence of a wheel falling within different categories and providing a category responsive control signal; ultrasonic defect detection means disposed for detecting defects in a wheel; and means coupling said category responsive control signal to said defect detection means for conditioning the sensitivity of said detection means responsive to said control signal.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
65 words
An apparatus for testing railroad wheels comprising: sensing means disposed for detecting the presence of a wheel falling within different categories and providing a category responsive control signal; ultrasonic defect detection means disposed for detecting defects in a wheel; and means coupling said category responsive control signal to said defect detection means for conditioning the sensitivity of said detection means responsive to said control signal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-09-26 | 1981-03-28 | 1981-09-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-09-26 | 1985-03-28 | 1985-09-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-09-26 | 1989-03-28 | 1989-09-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |