Posted by Don E. Bray on January 21, 2016 at 10:34am
Ultra high frequency pulser and receiver used in the 1950's for sending and receiving RF pulses used to diagnose metal parts for internal defects. Not sure that this is a correct site, but I have had this since I left the Southern Pacific Railroad in the 1960's and have used it for several research projects.This was given to me for my research but now I would like for it to find a new home to avoid the April 30 electronic parts disposal date. Located in College Station, Texas and suggestions for final disposal will be appreciated.
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This has been very fruitful, and I appreciate you comments. Maybe I will follow up with the railroad museum track, but it is really hard to get linked with interested people. It was ready for the trash in 1960 when I rescued it and began a career in academia. The thing is that it has a high voltage pulser (with 700 or 900 volts) and then it shuts down and becomes a listener looking for very small (millivolt aptitude) return pulses. It repeats this cycle so as to give a continuous display.
In railroad use it would transmit a 1 to 2.25 MHz pulse the length of the car axle and return (maybe 10 feet), finding cracks along the way. This is the pulse echo mode of operation, just like radar or sonar.
We'll see how it goes, it is safe from the April 30 recycle date for now. It's convenient height makes it suitable to support a beer glass or coffee cup.
Thanks for the link there Jock. Very intesesting . Yes I agree it should go to a museum . I think this April 30th thing is a "Re-cycling event" to prevent people putting out electronics for the dustmen or fly tipping, containing, cadmium , silver and wotnot .. stuff that should'nt go into landfill sites. As we're in the UK it's an easy task but I guess because the USA is so vast they need an "event" to encourage it. Either way it's an artefact that should remain in tact :-)
Hi Don , not being in Texas , I have no idea about this disposal date but whatever this thing did or does it is a mightily cool thing ! Love the look of it :-D
Comments
This has been very fruitful, and I appreciate you comments. Maybe I will follow up with the railroad museum track, but it is really hard to get linked with interested people. It was ready for the trash in 1960 when I rescued it and began a career in academia. The thing is that it has a high voltage pulser (with 700 or 900 volts) and then it shuts down and becomes a listener looking for very small (millivolt aptitude) return pulses. It repeats this cycle so as to give a continuous display.
In railroad use it would transmit a 1 to 2.25 MHz pulse the length of the car axle and return (maybe 10 feet), finding cracks along the way. This is the pulse echo mode of operation, just like radar or sonar.
We'll see how it goes, it is safe from the April 30 recycle date for now. It's convenient height makes it suitable to support a beer glass or coffee cup.
Thanks again for your interest.
Thanks for the link there Jock. Very intesesting . Yes I agree it should go to a museum . I think this April 30th thing is a "Re-cycling event" to prevent people putting out electronics for the dustmen or fly tipping, containing, cadmium , silver and wotnot .. stuff that should'nt go into landfill sites. As we're in the UK it's an easy task but I guess because the USA is so vast they need an "event" to encourage it. Either way it's an artefact that should remain in tact :-)
Nice piece of electronic history from the days when the equipment kept you warm. This ought to go to a suitable museum
Some info at http://www.ob-ultrasound.net/sperry.html
Hi Don , not being in Texas , I have no idea about this disposal date but whatever this thing did or does it is a mightily cool thing ! Love the look of it :-D