Hi-rail vehicle-based rail inspection system

A railroad rail inspection system for use in conjunction with a non-railbound vehicle having an equipment bay, the system comprising:

• a detector carriage adapted for being propelled over a two-rail railroad track by the non-railbound vehicle;
• means for performing magnetic induction inspection of at least one rail of the track, the means for performing magnetic induction inspection being attached to the detector carriage;
• means for processing induction data received from the means for performing magnetic induction inspection;
• and
• means for supplying electrical power to the means for performing magnetic induction inspection, the means for supplying electrical power including means for generating power sufficient to establish a magnetic field around the rail for use by the means for performing magnetic induction inspection;
• wherein the means for processing induction data and the means for supplying electrical power are configured for disposition and operation within the equipment bay of the non-railbound vehicle.

A method of performing magnetic induction inspection of a two-rail railroad track using a non-railbound vehicle having an equipment bay, the method comprising:

• providing a detector carriage adapted for being propelled over the two-rail railroad track by the non-railbound vehicle, the detector carriage having attached thereto a magnetic induction sensor system adapted for magnetic induction inspection of at least one rail of the track;
• installing in the equipment bay of the non-railbound vehicle a data acquisition system in communication with the magnetic induction sensor system, the data acquisition system including at least one data processor adapted for processing induction data received from the magnetic induction sensor system;
• and
• installing in the equipment bay of the non-railbound vehicle a power supply system in electrical communication with the magnetic induction sensor system, the power supply system being adapted for supplying power to the magnetic induction sensor system for application of a saturating current to the at least one rail of the track;
• propelling the detector carriage along a two rail railroad track using the non-railbound vehicle;
• and
• obtaining magnetic induction data for the at least one rail of the track using the magnetic induction sensor system.