An integrated robotic system for automatic detection and characterisation of rolling contact fatigue cracks in rails using an alternating current field measurement sensor

Abstract

This paper considers the development of an integrated robotic system which may be used to automatically locate and then systematically scan rolling contact fatigue cracks on rails to provide more detailed information on the cracks' subsurface size. The system consists of a mechanised trolley, a robot, a commercially available AMIGO alternating current field measurement (ACFM) system and a laser distance sensor. The dynamic results, when the trolley moves at a controlled speed to detect defects, and the static results, when the defect location has been determined and the robot arm is used to characterise (size) the defect, are both considered. During field trials it was found that in the detection test most of the artificial cracks were detected automatically by employing a novel combined threshold and signature match (CTSM) method. The results of the characterisation test also suggest that the system can automatically take reliable constant lift-off ACFM measurements over the cracks at close to optimum range for characterisation where the relative angle offset between the ACFM sensor and the crack is bounded to be within 5 .

Design of a robot for inspection and diagnostic operations of rail track facilities

“…However, this method is laborious and may not be sustainable for long rail track. For condition monitoring, Santur et al (2016) proposed the use of laser scanning technology mounted on a railcar in motion, for the detection of fractures, cracks, scorings and wears on the rail track while Rowshandel (2013) proposed the development of an integrated robotic system for fatigue crack's detection and characterization in the rolling contact. The proposed integrated system is designed to use a mechanized trolley, which houses a robot, a laser sensor and an alternating current field measurement system.…”

Importance and Applications of Robotic and Autonomous Systems (RAS) in Railway Maintenance Sector: A Review

“…The trolley, which contains the articulated robot, will travel at a controlled speed scanning for surface cracks on the rail and the robot will take over the scanning process while using the ACFM system once a crack is detected. Further, it has been concluded that the system manages to autonomously detect and characterize surface-breaking defects with high precision [55].…”

Prediction of RCF clustered cracks dimensions using an ACFM sensor and influence of crack length and vertical angle

“…angle) can be accurately determined. This scenario represents scanning with an array probe [15] or a single probe using a robotic system carrying out multiple scans [20,21]. then the crack will be completely removed from the railway rails, but will reduce the overall life of the rail.…”