System and methods to determine and monitor changes in rail conditions over time

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a system and methods with which changes in rail conditions can be determined and monitored over time. The present invention includes a database of data, wherein a first set of data is used for comparison with a second set of data to determine the stress state of rail.

1 . A system for determining and monitoring stress in rail, comprising: 
 a signal generator device for generating a signal;    a first energy conversion device coupled to said signal generator device, said first energy conversion device in response to said signal generates ultrasonic waves for propagation through the rail;    a second energy conversion device for receiving the ultrasonic waves propagated trough the rail;    a navigation device to determine position information of the ultrasonic waves at specific time intervals;    an electronic test device for capturing data including the position information; and    a computing device for analyzing the data in order to calculate ultrasonic wave information and for comparison to a grouping of ultrasonic wave information to determine the stress in the rail.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said signal generator device is a pulser-receiver.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said signal generator device is a laser.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said first energy conversion device is a transducer.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said second energy conversion device is a receiving transducer.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said navigation device is a Global Positioning System.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said electronic test device is an oscilloscope.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said computer device is a laptop computer.  
   
   
       9 . A method for determining and monitoring stress in rail, comprising: 
 generating a signal;    converting the signal to an ultrasonic sound wave;    propagating the ultrasonic sound wave through the rail;    receiving the ultrasonic sound wave;    resolving position information at specific time intervals of the ultrasonic sound wave;    capturing data including the position information at specific time intervals;    storing the data in a database;    computing the data to produce wave speed data;    comparing the wave speed data to a grouping of wave speed data; and    detecting longitudinal rail stress.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said generating step includes producing the signal with a signal generator device.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said converting step includes producing the ultrasonic sound wave with a first energy conversion device.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said receiving step includes configuring the ultrasonic sound wave with a second energy conversion device.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said resolving step includes determining the position information with the use of a navigation device.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said capturing step uses an electronic test device.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said computing step uses a handheld device.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said comparing step includes an increase in value of the wave speed data indicating an increase in longitudinal rail stress.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said comparing step includes a decrease in value of the wave speed data indicating a decrease in longitudinal rail stress.