Sperry Rail International Limited

Robert Crocker

Justin James Robert Stroud

The invention relates to a means of enabling inspection of engineering components, such as rails used in the railway industry. A rail inspection device comprises a sensor () and a compliant spacer (). The compliant spacer () has an inner surface and outer surface. The sensor () is urged against the inner surface of the spacer () and, when in use, the outer surface of the spacer () is in contact with the rail under inspection.

Sensor assembly

A system () for the detection of defects in rails (), the system comprising a source of ultrasonic waves for emitting ultrasonic waves onto a rail, a detector for detecting ultrasonic waves reflected or otherwise scattered by the rail or defects therein and a mist generator () arranged, in use, to expose one or both of the rail and source of ultrasonic wave to a mist of liquid, thus enabling the formation of an ultrasound-transmissive interface between the rail and the source of ultrasonic waves.

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Derby, United Kingdom

Robert Crocker