Apparatus for detecting defects

An inspection apparatus for inspecting a railway rail comprising:

• position means for determining a position of the inspection apparatus along the rail and providing position data,
• a profiler system configured to output profile data corresponding to a profile of the rail,
• a transducer assembly having a first ultrasonic phased array transducer directed toward the rail and configured to emit an ultrasonic beam into the rail and receive a return signal, and
• a system controller coupled to said position means to receive position data therefrom, coupled to said profiler system to receive profile data therefrom, and coupled to said transducer assembly,
• said system controller responsive to said profile data to energize said transducer assembly to emit said ultrasonic beam into the rail at a desired angle,
• said system controller responsive to said return signal, said profile data and said position data to present a two dimensional representation of the inspected rail.