초록 ▼

A method and apparatus for testing rails for structural defects, the rails being associated with a railroad track include providing and using a first rail traveling vehicle for movement along a segment of rails followed by a second rail traveling vehicle for disposition behind the first rail traveli

A method and apparatus for testing rails for structural defects, the rails being associated with a railroad track include providing and using a first rail traveling vehicle for movement along a segment of rails followed by a second rail traveling vehicle for disposition behind the first rail traveling vehicle along the rails for testing with the first rail traveling vehicle having a first digital computer and a first analog computer and the second rail traveling vehicle having a second computer for display of data associated with the rails. A first modem assembly is provided in the first vehicle with a second modem assembly being provided in the second vehicle in communication with the first modem whereby data may be exchanged between the rail traveling vehicles. During testing, the first rail traveling vehicle transmits complete digital and analog rail structural and defect location information data to the second computer for analysis and action by the operators of the second vehicle.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A method for testing rails for structural defects, the rails being associated with a railroad track, ground supported and extending in a generally parallel manner along a roadbed, said method comprising the steps of:providing a first rail traveling vehicle for movement along a segm

[ We claim:] [1.] A method for testing rails for structural defects, the rails being associated with a railroad track, ground supported and extending in a generally parallel manner along a roadbed, said method comprising the steps of:providing a first rail traveling vehicle for movement along a segment of rails for testing, said first rail traveling vehicle being equipped with a rail testing apparatus for the production of data indicative of rail conditions and a first computer system in data exchanging communication with said rail testing apparatus, said first computer system having a display arrangement for displaying digital data and analog data associated with rails tested by said rail testing apparatus, and a control interface for computer control by an operator;providing a second rail traveling vehicle for disposition behind said first rail traveling vehicle along said segment of rails for testing, said second rail traveling vehicle having a second computer disposed therein for display of data associated with rails tested by said rail testing apparatus;providing a first modem assembly operatively associated with said first computer system and a second modem assembly operatively associated with said second computer, said first modem assembly being in data exchanging communication with said second modem assembly for data exchange between said first computer and said second computer;moving said first rail traveling vehicle and said second rail traveling vehicle along rails to be tested, said first rail traveling vehicle moving in advance of said second rail traveling vehicle;testing predetermined rail segments using said rail testing apparatus, with said rail testing apparatus communicating rail test data associated with the structural condition of a tested rail segment to said first computer;displaying said rail test data on a computer screen wherein said rail test data may include data indicative of a structural defect in said predetermined rail segment at a defect location along said rail;assessing said rail test data to determine if said rail test data is indicative of a possible structural defect in said predetermined rail segment at a defect location;selecting, upon detection of a possible structural defect, data indicative of the possible structural defect at the defect location, thereby creating a data snapshot of structural conditions along the segment of rails having the possible defect therein;communicating said data indicative of the possible structural defect at the defect location from said first computer system to said second computer using said first modem assembly and said second modem assembly;displaying said data indicative of the possible structural defect at the defect location using said second computer; andassessing said data indicative of the possible structural defect at the defect location to locate the defect location and the possible structural defect in order to carry out a manual defect confirmation test and, if necessary, to initiate repair procedures.