Consolidated Rail Corporation

Gerhard A Thelen

Wayne H Murphy

Paul G Steets

Yan H Tse

Kenneth Stolz

Methods and apparatus for inspecting surfaces are disclosed. The present invention provides a system which is particularly useful for inspecting the inner race of a bearing and uses two video probes to create dual displayed views of the inner surface. The bearing is slowly rotated and the entire surface of the inner race is visually inspected by viewing the images collected by the video probes. Preferably, a motorized stand and frame are provided that automatically rotate the bearing and automatically insert the video probes into the bearing respectively. The magnification provided by the video probes permits the detection of flaws invisible to the human eye, and in certain embodiments a scale on or adjacent to the video images is also provided so that the size of the defects viewed can also be accurately determined.

Dual optic video display bearing inspection system

A wheel chocking assembly that is especially suitable for securing a wide variety of automobiles to the deck of a railroad car includes a polyester strap member adapted to conform to the shape and extending over the top of an automobile's tire which is coupled to a pair of chock members formed as collapsible wedges and positioned in front of and behind the wheel. In one embodiment, the wedges are rotatably coupled to a pair of channels extending the length of the railroad car, and are collapsible for positioning of the automobiles during loading. Another embodiment utilizes a pair of wedges which are adjustably mounted in a telescopic fashion to frames extending inward from a channel attached to the deck of the railroad car at its sides, the channels being adapted to permit the frames to be swung up and out of the way during loading and unloading operations.

Growing community of inventors

St. Davids, PA, United States of America

Gerhard A Thelen