| | A system for performing ultrasonic inspection of a length of test material, such as a rail, with ultrasonic transducing means emitting a beam of ultrasonic energy from within sealed wheel means containing a coupling liquid therein and having a flexible membrane transparent to the ultrasonic beam and arranged for rolling contact along the test material, rail inspection apparatus comprises: leading wheel arranged for rolling contact along the length of the rail; trailing wheel spaced behind the leading wheel and arranged for rolling contact along the length of rail; five ultrasonic transducers mounted on the wheels aimed at various directions for transmitting ultrasonic energy from one of the transducer means to the other longitudinally through the rail at an angle to the top surface thereof, thereby effectively probing the rail for various kinds and orientations of defects regardless of whether the rail is welded or jointed. |
