US4137776A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Automatic base gate positioning circuit
Assignee: United States Department of Transportation
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Filing: 1978-05-08
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Granted: 1979-02-06
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Expires: 1998-05-08
Abstract
Abstract An automatic base gate positioning circuit for use in rail flaw detection is disclosed which includes the generation of a string of uniformly spaced pulses corresponding to known rail depth, correlating said pulses with sonic echoes averaging and storing the correlated signals and developing a signal representing the rail depth for comparison with an echo from the rail base.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert P. Rudis
- 👤 Harry L. Ceccon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 01:01
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/36; G01N29/38; G01S; G01S15/00; G01S15/02; G01S15/06; G01S15/08; G01S15/10; G01S15/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
An automatic base gate positioning circuit in combination with a sonic rail flaw detection system comprising: a controllable pulse burst generator for producing a string of uniform pulses spaced a prearranged interval from a sonic input to straddle a range of echoes corresponding to known rail thickness variations; first pulse counter means for counting said string of pulses; pulse delay means for simultaneously and separately delaying said string of pulses; second pulse counter means for counting said delayed string of pulses a preset number of pulses behind said first counter means; means for terminating said secondary count in response to selected return echoes; means for averaging said terminated secondary count over a preselected number of controllably spaced sonic flaw tests; means for comparing said averaged secondary count with said primary count whereby an output signal is triggered when said counts are equal; and gate means for receiving said trigger whereby an output gate is positioned to align with displayed echoes from said sonic detection systems.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
An automatic base gate positioning circuit in combination with a sonic rail flaw detection system comprising: a controllable pulse burst generator for producing a string of uniform pulses spaced a prearranged interval from a sonic input to straddle a range of echoes corresponding to known rail thickness variations; first pulse counter means for counting said string of pulses; pulse delay means for simultaneously and separately delaying said string of pulses; second pulse counter means for counting said delayed string of pulses a preset number of pulses behind said first counter means; means for terminating said secondary count in response to selected return echoes; means for averaging said terminated secondary count over a preselected number of controllably spaced sonic flaw tests; means for comparing said averaged secondary count with said primary count whereby an output signal is triggered when said counts are equal; and gate means for receiving said trigger whereby an output gate is positioned to align with displayed echoes from said sonic detection systems.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A base gate positioning circuit according to claim 1 wherein said pulse delay means delays said count by three full pulses.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A base gate positioning circuit according to claim 1 which further includes means for calibrating the output of said base gate positioning device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
A base gate positioning circuit according to claim 3 wherein said averaging means includes an index counter which responds to every complete test cycle of said sonic pulse generator whereby the count is averaged over a controlled series of sonic tests corresponding to a preselected length of rail.
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) | 1982-02-05 | 1982-08-07 | 1983-02-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-02-05 | 1986-08-07 | 1987-02-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-02-05 | 1990-08-07 | 1991-02-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |