| Entries |
| Document | Title | Date |
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| 20080258719 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR FERROMAGNETIC WALL INSPECTION OF TUBULARS - Apparatus and methods for magnetic wall inspecting materials such as cylindrical and tubular members are disclosed. One apparatus includes a main magnetic coil producing lines of magnetic flux able to traverse a section of a tubular member in a direction generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tubular member; and one or more magnetic focusing members positioned along the tubular and able to redirect certain flux lines so that they are more parallel to the tubular. This abstract allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure. It will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b). | 10-23-2008 |
| 20080258720 | Hybrid wound/etched winding constructs for scanning and monitoring - Combined wound and micro-fabricated winding constructs are described for the inspection of materials and the detection and characterization of hidden features or flaws. These constructs can be configured as sensors or sensor arrays that are surface mounted or scanned over conducting and/or magnetizable test materials. The well-defined geometry obtained micro-fabricated windings and from carefully wound coils with known winding positions permits the use of model based inversions of sensed responses into material properties. In a preferred embodiment, the primary winding is a wound coil and the sense elements are etched or printed. The drive or sense windings can also be mounted under fasteners to improve sensitivity to hidden flaws. Ferrites and other means may be used to guide the magnetic flux and enhance the magnetic field in the test material. | 10-23-2008 |
| 20080265879 | DEVICE FOR INSPECTING A RECTILINEAR CAVITY WITH EDDY CURRENTS - Inspecting an open cavity by successive broaching movements of an eddy-current sensor. The inspection device comprises a probe body including the sensor installed laterally in the vicinity of the end of a rod and in line with a ramp, together with resilient bias means acting on the probe body. | 10-30-2008 |
| 20080297149 | IDENTIFICATION OF POINTS OF INTEREST IN A REGION OF THE SURFACE OF A PART AND APPLICATION TO THE OPTIMIZATION OF THE PATH AND OF THE ANGULAR POSITION OF EDDY CURRENT PROBES - The invention relates to the identification of points of interest in a region of the surface of a part, by bringing a surface reference into intimate contact with said region, said surface reference consisting of a thin film sufficiently flexible to conform to the region, the thin film supporting tracks made of electrically conductive material, the passage of an eddy current probe over a track delivering a significant signal representative of the track, this representative signal corresponding to a point of interest thus identified in said region. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20090015249 | DETECTING FAILURES IN FLEXIBLE MULTISTRAND STEEL STRUCTURES - A flexible elongate structure, such as a flexible riser ( | 01-15-2009 |
| 20090102473 | EDDY CURRENT TESTING METHOD AND EDDY CURRENT TESTING APPARATUS - The present invention provides an eddy current testing method and an eddy current testing apparatus that can reduce detection noise to increase the SN ratio thus improving the defect detection accuracy. | 04-23-2009 |
| 20090108838 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING GEOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS OF AN ANOMALY IN A TEST OBJECT AND MEASURING APPARATUS FOR CARRYING OUT THE METHOD - In a method for determining geometrical characteristics (d) of an anomaly ( | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090115410 | EDDY CURRENT PROBE AND METHODS OF ASSEMBLING THE SAME - A method of assembling an eddy current array probe to facilitate nondestructive testing of a sample is provided. The method includes positioning a plurality of differential side mount coils at least partially within a flexible material. The method also includes coupling the flexible material within a tip portion of the eddy current array probe, such that the flexible material has a contour that substantially conforms to a portion of a surface of the sample to be tested. | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090160437 | Eddy Current Probe And Method Of Manufacture Thereof - Disclosed is an eddy current probe that includes a plurality of kidney-shaped coils disposed in end-to-end relation about an axis of an elongated body. An inner radius of each kidney-shaped coil faces the axis. An outer radius of each kidney-shaped coil faces away from the axis. A plurality of wires is provided, each of which is connected to one of the ends of one of the kidney-shaped coils via an opening in the body that runs inside the body from one end of the body to a position intermediate the one end of the body and the kidney-shaped coils. Also, disclosed is a method of making the eddy current probe including a method of forming each kidney-shaped coil. | 06-25-2009 |
| 20090206831 | Method and device for non destructive evaluation of defects in a metallic object - A device for non destructive evaluation of defects in a metallic object ( | 08-20-2009 |
| 20090302835 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR HOLDING A ROTATABLE EDDY-CURRENT MAGNETIC PROBE, AND FOR ROTATING THE PROBE AROUND A BOUNDARY - An RFEC excitation unit and sensor apparatus and method that facilitate detection of cracks or other anomalies within or under a surface and immediately next to an expected structure (such as a rivet) that would otherwise cause a signal change preventing detection of the cracks. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes actuators and control that move the apparatus and analyze sensed RFEC signals to determine the location of the rivet, and then to rotate (mechanically or electronically) the sensed signal and/or excitation signal to maintain a constant relationship to the edge of the rivet in order that signals from the rivet edge are suppressed and signals from the cracks are detected. In some embodiments, the excitation unit is maintained at the center of the rivet surface, and the sensor is moved around the rivet in a circle centered on the rivet. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20100007342 | HIGH RESOLUTION AND FLEXIBLE EDDY CURRENT ARRAY PROBE - Disclosed is a method and an NDT/NDI probe deploying a slit or a flexible joint of probe bending region, preferably between two rows of probe elements to allow free bending between rows of probe elements and along the direction of the rows of elements and to allow two adjacent rows of elements to bend individually along its own natural bending lines perpendicular to the direction of the rows of elements. Also disclosed is the use of protective flexible pads to cover the probe elements and other probe components. | 01-14-2010 |
| 20100013468 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR EDDY CURRENT IMAGING FOR THE DETECTION AND THE CHARACTERISATION OF DEFECTS HIDDEN IN COMPLEX STRUCTURES - This eddy current imaging method includes the steps of:
| 01-21-2010 |
| 20100019762 | WIRE ROPE FLAW DETECTOR - A wire rope flaw detector includes a magnetizer having a pair of exciting magnets disposed on a back yoke such that polarities thereof are opposite to each other, and forming a main magnetic path in a predetermined segment in an axial direction of a wire rope; and a leakage magnetic flux detection section disposed in the predetermined segment in the axial direction, and detecting leakage magnetic flux generated from a damaged portion of the wire rope. Each of the exciting magnets are formed so as to have a cross-section of a shape that embraces the wire rope when each exciting magnet is cut along a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the wire rope, and has magnetic orientation, on the cross-section of the exciting magnet, oriented from at least two directions toward the wire rope. | 01-28-2010 |
| 20100052669 | Flexible Plate Magnetostrictive Sensor Probe for Guided-Wave Inspection of Structures - An economical, flexible, magnetostrictive sensor probe for use on planar and/or curved structural surfaces, for guided-wave volumetric inspection of the structure is described. The flexible plate MsS probe includes a flexible strip of magnetostrictive material that is adhered to the base of a generally flat, flexible, conductor coil assembly, preferably with an elastomeric adhesive (such as silicon) or with double sided tape. The conductor coil assembly has a core that is composed of a thin flexible strip of metal, a layer of an elastomeric material (such as rubber), and a thin permanent magnet circuit. The flexible core is surrounded (top, bottom, and on the longitudinal ends) by a flat flexible cable (FFC) that is folded and looped over the layers of the core. The exposed conductors at the ends of the FFC are shifted from each other by one conductor spacing and joined together so that the parallel conductors in the FFC form a flat, flexible, continuous coil. The entire probe assembly may be bent to match the curved contours of the surface of the structure under investigation. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100052670 | Magnetostrictive Sensor Probe for Guided-Wave Inspection and Monitoring of Wire Ropes/Cables and Anchor Rods - An economical, flexible, magnetostrictive sensor (MsS) probe assembly for use on longitudinal cylindrical structures, for guided-wave, volumetric inspection of the structures is described. The paired flexible plate MsS probes each include a flexible strip of magnetostrictive material that is positioned and/or adhered to the base of a generally flat, flexible, conductor coil assembly, preferably with an elastomeric adhesive. The conductor coil assembly has a core composed of a thin flexible layer of metal and a thin bendable permanent magnet circuit. The flexible core is surrounded by a flat flexible cable (FFC) that is folded and looped over the layers of the core. The exposed conductors at the ends of the FFC are shifted from each other by one conductor spacing and joined together so that the parallel conductors in the FFC form a flat, flexible, continuous coil. The probe assemblies may preferably be utilized in pairs and conformed to match the curved contours of the cylindrical surface of the structure under investigation in a manner that is specifically tailored for wire rope, cable, and anchor rod type applications. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100085044 | EDDY CURRENT TESTING METHOD, EDDY CURRENT TESTING DIFFERENTIAL COIL AND EDDY CURRENT TESTING PROBE FOR INTERNAL FINNED PIPE OR TUBE - The invention provides an eddy current testing method for an internal finned pipe or tube which can securely detect a micro defect generated in a trough portion in an inner surface of the pipe or tube, even in the case that an inner surface shape of the internal finned pipe or tube is ununiform in a circumferential direction of the pipe or tube. The eddy current testing method in accordance with the invention detects a defect existing in a trough portion of the pipe or tube (P) by arranging a differential coil ( | 04-08-2010 |
| 20100102807 | WIRE ROPE FLAW DETECTOR - A wire rope flaw detector comprises a back yoke and excitation permanent magnets, which form a main magnetic path in a predetermined section of a wire rope in the axial direction; a magnetic path member arranged in the predetermined section to be magnetically insulated from the back yoke and the permanent magnets and making the leakage flux generated from a damaged part of wire rope detour to the outside of the wire rope; and a detection coil wound around the magnetic path member for detecting leakage flux. The amount of leakage flux can be increased by providing the magnetic path member and since the windable area of the detection coil is increased, the number of turns of detection coil can be increased. | 04-29-2010 |
| 20100102808 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING - A method and apparatus in which at least two different test phases are performed on a test object, selected from: conventional eddy current testing, partial saturation eddy current testing, and ultrasonic testing. Measurement data sets are obtained from the at least two different test phases, with each measurement data set comprising measurement data corresponding to a plurality of test positions. The data sets are combined in a data processing means and the combined measurement data is processed to evaluate a damage condition of the test object. In a preferred embodiment, all of conventional eddy current testing, partial saturation eddy current testing, and ultrasonic testing are performed. The apparatus may be provided in two or more sub-assemblies, of which one may be an internal test tool and one may be an external tool. Alternatively, the apparatus may be capable of carrying out all three of the test phases. | 04-29-2010 |
| 20100109658 | DEVICE WITH SEPARATE EMISSION/RECEPTION FUNCTIONS FOR MAKING EDDY CURRENT TESTS ON AN ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTING PART - A device with separate emission/reception functions for making eddy current tests on an electrically conducting part comprising several emission rows ( | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100109659 | SURFACE FLAW DETECTION AND VERIFICATION ON METAL BARS - An inspection system for detecting flaws on a moving metal (e.g., steel) bar coordinates the operation of an eddy current testing (ECT)-based flaw detection apparatus and an imaging-based flaw detection apparatus. The ECT-based flaw detection apparatus and the imaging-based flaw detection apparatus are disposed along a movement path in a predetermined relationship with each other, for example, as a predetermined fixed offset distance therebetween. A synchronizing mechanism synchronizes the output data streams from the two flaw detection apparatuses based on the predetermined relationship, so as to align the data streams as function of the axial position on the metal bar. A processing unit is configured to process the synchronized data streams for the detection of flaws, which are then also synchronized (axial position). The synchronization permits a variety of cross-referencing operations, such a flaw verification as to the existence of flaws, as well augmenting imaging-based flaws with flaw depth information from the ECT-based apparatus. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100182000 | WIRE-ROPE FLAW DETECTOR - There is obtained a wire-rope flaw detector capable of realizing a high signal-to-noise ratio even in the case where only one detection coil is disposed. In the wire-rope flaw detector, there are provided a magnetizer that forms main magnetic flux in a predetermined section located along an axis direction of a wire rope ( | 07-22-2010 |
| 20100207620 | INSPECTION APPARATUS AND METHOD - An apparatus and method are disclosed for detecting flaws in electrically conductive materials by observing properties of the back-EMF of the eddy current field generated by driving magnetic flux through the object to be examined. The input signal may include sweeps at several frequencies, and may do so at one time under the principle of wave superposition. The sectorial observations of eddy currents summations may be compared to a known datum for a defect free material, the presence of anomalies in eddy field back EMF divergence tending to provide an indication of an irregularity in the underlying eddy field, and hence in the underlying material itself. The portable unit may have a number of different configurations depending on the nature of the object to be examined, be it a flat or large radius plate, a flange, a rail, or some other structural element. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100231210 | EDDY-CURRENT FLAW DETECTION METHOD, EDDY-CURRENT FLAW DETECTION DEVICE AND EDDY-CURRENT FLAW DETECTION PROBE - An eddy-current flaw detection device comprises a magnetic element group of which a specified number of magnetic elements are evenly spaced in each of at least two rows around the surface of a column shaped casing that can be inserted into a conductive pipe, with one row being located at a different position from the other row by ½ the even spacing in the row direction, and switching circuits for switching the magnetic elements in the respective row at time-division. The elements of one row function as magnetic field excitation elements, the elements of the other row function as magnetic field detection elements, and the eddy-current flaw detection device performs eddy-current flaw detection of the conductive pipe by detecting magnetic field excited by magnetic field excitation element by two magnetic field detection elements located at different positions from the magnetic field excitation elements by 3/2 the even spacing. | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100259252 | SEGMENTED MAGNETOSTRICTIVE PATCH ARRAY TRANSDUCER, APPARATUS FOR DIAGNOSING STRUCTURAL FAULT BY USING THE SAME, AND METHOD OF OPERATING THE SAME - A segmented magnetostrictive patch array transducer capable of generating a high frequency shear wave in a structure such as a rod or a pipe, a structural fault diagnosing apparatus including the segmented magnetostrictive patch array transducer, and a method of operating the segmented magnetostrictive patch array transducer are shown. The segmented magnetostrictive patch array transducer includes a plurality of magnetostrictive patches attached along a circumference of a rod member; a plurality of insulators that are disposed on the magnetostrictive patches; a plurality of meander coils, each of the meander coils comprising a plurality of coil lines extending along the circumference direction of the rod member on each of the insulators, wherein a current flows through adjacent coil lines in opposite directions to one another; and a plurality of magnets that respectively form a magnetic field along the circumferential direction of the rod member on the magnetostrictive patches. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100259253 | ROPE TESTER DEVICE - In order to examine abnormality in shape of an outer circumference of a wire rope, the rope tester device includes a comb-shaped detection plate having a curved test edge portion extending along at least one portion of an outer circumference of a substantially circular sectional configuration of the wire rope and a testing recessed portion for receiving the wire rope in the vicinity of or in contact with the test edge portion, and a support device for rotatably supporting the detection plate in the vicinity of or in contact with the wire rope for permitting the rotation of the detection plate when the detection plate receives a force from an abnormal portion of the wire rope to relieve the force. A test string is disposed in an opening of the testing recessed portion for testing a surface that is not in the vicinity of or in contact with the test edge portion. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100301851 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SEARCHING EDDY CURRENT OF ELECTRIC HEAT TUBE USING MEASURING MAGNETIC PERMEABILITY IN STEAM GENERATOR - A detection apparatus for an eddy current in a heat generating tube using a permeability measurement method, and a method using the apparatus are provided. In the detection apparatus, a bobbin type probe acquires detection information with respect to a magnetic flux change by a magnetic phase occurring in the heat generating tube using a coil which is wound in an axis direction of at least one yoke located in a perpendicular direction with a bobbin of the bobbin type probe, and a material having a corresponding magnetic phase and a circumferential defect, which is difficult to be detected by the bobbin type probe, are detected based on the detection information. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100327859 | Pipeline Inspection Tool with Oblique Magnetizer - A pipeline inspection tool has an even number “n” of spiraled pole magnets spaced equidistant apart and spanning the length of the tool. Each pole magnet, which preferably has a conformable upper surface, is rotated or spiraled about the tool body so that a second end of each pole magnet is offset a predetermined amount “α” relative to a first end of that same pole magnet. The amount of rotation α applied to each of the pole magnets produces a magnetic field oblique to the central longitudinal axis of the tool body (and therefore the pipe) and one that covers 360° of the internal wall surface of the pipe. A helical-shaped array of magnetic flux sensors may be arranged about the tool body and substantially equidistant between adjacent pairs of pole magnets. The tool detects axially oriented, circumferentially oriented, and volumetric anomalies and allows for single pass inspection. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20100327860 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PHASE SENSITIVE DETECTION OF EDDY CURRENT MEASUREMENTS - A method of detecting defects using eddy currents is disclosed. The method comprises:
| 12-30-2010 |
| 20110006762 | WIRE ROPE FLAW DETECTOR - A magnetic flux generated by current excitation is allowed to pass through a part or an entire of a magnetic path of a leakage magnetic flux. A magnetic flux content due to the current excitation is temporally changed to change a leakage magnetic flux content interlinked with a detection coil so that an induced voltage is generated in the detection coil. Consequently, damage can be detected even in a case where there is no relative speed between a wire rope and a wire rope flaw detector. Further, a configuration of the magnetic path and the number of ampere turns of an exciting coil are set to be appropriate to prevent the magnetic flux generated by the current excitation from passing through the detection coil or to allow the magnetic fluxes offset each other. Thus, noise superimposition on the detection coil due to the current excitation can be prevented. | 01-13-2011 |
| 20110018530 | DEVICE FOR THE NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING OF PARTS IN A TURBOMACHINE - Device for the non-destructive testing of parts of a turbomachine motor, comprising a longitudinal rod carrying at its distal end a longitudinal finger carrying a retractile or deployable flexible blade supporting an inspection probe, this blade being guided in axial translation on the finger between a retracted position in which it extends along the finger and an advanced or deployed position in which it extends in front of the finger. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110025316 | EDDY CURRENT PROBE ASSEMBLY ADJUSTABLE FOR INSPECTING TEST OBJECTS OF DIFFERENT SIZES - An eddy current probe assembly suitable for inspecting a test object with longitudinal shape, being passed through the assembly in the object's axial direction during an inspection session, the probe assembly comprising multiple probe modules being disposed in a radial plane and with the modules partially overlaying on each other forming an iris structure encircling an inspection zone, wherein a movement in unison of each of the probe modules closer to or further away from the center of the inspection zone makes the inspection zone enlarged or contracted. Spring tension is applied on each of the probe modules so that constant life-off in maintained between the probe modules and the test surface. Array of eddy current elements for each probe module and multiple layers of probe modules can be employed to achieve complete coverage of the test surface. The radial cross-sectional shapes of the test objects can be of round or polygonal. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110025317 | MsS PROBE FOR GUIDED-WAVE INSPECTION OF FUEL RODS - The present application discloses a magnetostrictive sensor (MsS) probe for guided-wave inspection of the entire length of a fuel rod. The probe includes a waveguide adapted to be clamped to a fuel rod, and an MsS adapted to generate guided waves into the waveguide such that the guided waves propagate down the waveguide into the fuel rod and back to the waveguide for detection by the MsS. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110031966 | NON-CONTACT TYPE TRANSDUCER HAVING MULTI-LOOP COIL FOR PLATE MEMBER - A non-contact type transducer having a multi-loop coil that is used to perform a modal test or a nondestructive inspection on a plate member without contacting the plate member is disclosed. The transducer includes a multi-loop coil having two or more closed loop portions and disposed above and separate from a plate member; and a magnet having a neutral plane between north (N) and south (S) poles parallel to a surface of the plate member and functioning as a static magnetic field former, wherein the plate member is formed of a conductor, wherein an eddy current that flows on a surface of the plate member is generated by controlling a current that flows through the multi-loop coil, and Lorentz forces are applied in directions perpendicular to the surface of the plate member due to the eddy current and a magnetic field component parallel to the surface of the plate member of a static magnetic field formed by the static magnetic field former. | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110037461 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DETECTING NEAR-SURFACE DEFECTS BY MEANS OF MAGNETIC LEAKAGE FLUX MEASUREMENT - In a method for detecting near-surface defects in a test sample consisting at least partly of a ferromagnetic material, a test volume of the test sample is magnetized and scanned for the detection of magnetic leakage fields caused by defects. The test volume is magnetized by means of a magnetic constant field and simultaneously by means of a magnetic alternating field superposed on the constant field. Leakage field test devices suitable for carrying out the method are described. | 02-17-2011 |
| 20110068783 | EDDY-CURRENT FLAW DETECTION METHOD AND APPARATUS - In detecting a flaw by generating an eddy current in a conductor, it is enabled to easily detect a flaw in the vicinity of a back surface of the conductor. An exciting device and a receiving device are held in the vicinity of a conductor, and an eddy current is generated in the conductor by a primary magnetic field generated by excitation, thereby generating a secondary magnetic field, the state of the magnetic field is detected by the receiving device. The exciting device includes a coil and an iron core. The coil has a first current line and a second current line in which an electric current flows in opposite directions. The iron core is gate-shaped in cross section and includes a first leg portion, a second leg portion, and a beam portion. The iron core is oriented such that an opening thereof on a side opposite to the beam portion faces the conductor. The first current line of the coil is disposed on an inner side of the two leg portions of the iron core. The second current line is disposed on an outer side of the first leg portion. Around the first current line is formed a magnetic circuit that passes through the first leg portion, the beam portion, the second leg portion, and the conductor. Around the second current line is formed a magnetic circuit that passes through the first leg portion and the beam portion. The receiving device is disposed in a corner between the second leg portion and the conductor, on a side opposite to the second current line on the outer side of the iron core. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110148406 | DEVICE FOR DETECTING DAMAGE OF A TEST SPECIMEN MADE OF FERROMAGNETIC MATERIAL - The device comprises a magnetization unit, which generates a constant magnetic field, to which the test specimen ( | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110163741 | MAGNETIC TESTING METHOD AND MAGNETIC TESTING APPARATUS - A magnetic testing apparatus has a magnetizing device applying a rotating magnetic field to a material to be tested, a testing signal detecting device, and a signal processing device applying signal processing to the testing signal. The signal processing device has a first synchronous detecting device detecting a testing signal by using the first current as a reference signal, a second synchronous detecting device detecting an output signal of the first synchronous detecting device by using the second current as a reference signal to extract a candidate flaw signal, and a testing image display device displaying a testing image in which each of pixels has a gray level corresponding to an intensity of the candidate flaw signal at each of positions of the material to be tested, and a phase of the candidate flaw signal at each of the positions is capable of being identified. | 07-07-2011 |
| 20110169486 | Magnetostrictive Sensor for Tank Floor Inspection - A method of testing for defects in the bottom of an above ground storage tank, the tank bottom having a lip extending outwardly from the tank wall around the circumference of the tank. A special magnetostrictive sensor is designed to be placed on this lip. The sensor is placed over a strip of magnetostrictive material, which generally conforms in length and width to the bottom of the probe, with a couplant being applied between the strip and the lip surface. The sensor is then operated in pulse echo mode to receive signals from defects in the bottom of the tank. It is incrementally moved around the circumference of the tank. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110181276 | Metal detector utilizing combined effects of modified flux linkage and oscillator excitation current - A first coil configuration ( | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110210725 | INSPECTION DEVICE UTILIZING EDDY CURRENTS - An example inspection probe device includes a sensor assembly configured to induce an eddy current in a component. A probe body houses at least a portion of the sensor assembly such that the portion of the sensor assembly is spaced from a target surface of the component when the probe body is in contact with the component. A controller is used to calculate the location of the target surface relative to the probe body using an eddy current parameter sensed by the sensor assembly. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20110221428 | Magnetostrictive Sensors for Surface Wave Testing of Thick Walled Structures - An ultrasonic probe that uses the magnetostrictive effect to generate and detect a surface-coupled guided wave for the purpose of inspecting a thick-walled structure for surface defects. A transmitter probe and a receiver probe are especially designed to generate and detect short wavelengths that will couple to only one surface of the plate. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110304328 | EDDY CURRENT SENSOR AND INSPECTION METHOD USING THE SAME - An eddy current sensor includes: an excitation coil that applies a predetermined alternating-current excitation signal to a measurement target component; and a detection coil that detects a detection signal, generated by eddy current, from the measurement target component to which the alternating-current excitation signal is applied. The excitation coil has a plurality of solenoid coils. The detection coil is arranged at least on one of two sides of the excitation coil in a direction of a central axis of each solenoid coil. Then, the plurality of solenoid coils are arranged in parallel with one another so that winding directions of the adjacent solenoid coils are opposite to each other. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20120007596 | EDDY CURRENT FLAW DETECTION PROBE - An insertion type eddy current flaw detection probe that is capable of more accurately detecting flaws in magnetic tubes is provided. A method for inspecting magnetic tubes for flaws with high accuracy is also provided. A eddy current flaw detection probe comprises a cylindrical yoke ( | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120025816 | ORTHOGONAL EDDY CURRENT PROBE FOR MULTI-DIRECTIONAL INSPECTION - Disclosed is an improved orthogonal eddy current probe with at least three coils, each of the coils is wound across the two facing sides of an at least six-sided right polygonal prism, such as a hexagonal core. At each time interval, two of the three coils are used as driver coils, being charged simultaneously with electric current driven in coherent directions to induce a combined eddy current and one of the coils is used as a receiver coil to sense the eddy current, with the combined eddy current to be orthogonal to the receiver coil. Each coil alternates to be one of the driver coils or the receiver coil at a predetermined switching sequence and a predetermined switching frequency during consecutive time intervals. The eddy current probe as disclosed provides the advantages of inspecting a test surface for flaws of any flaw orientation with one pass of scan, providing sufficient sensitivity and desirable noise cancellation in all directions. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120038354 | LINEAR STRUCTURE INSPECTION APPARATUS AND METHOD - An apparatus is provided for sensing anomalies in a long electrically conductive object to be inspected. The object may be a pipeline, or other hollow tube. The apparatus may have a magnetic field generator, and an array of sensors spaced about the field generator. As relative motion in the longitudinal direction occurs between the apparatus and the object to be inspected, the moving magnetic field, or flux, passed from the field generator into the object to be inspected may tend to cause eddy currents to flow in the object. The sensors may be spaced both axially and circumferentially to permit variation in magnetic flux, or eddy current divergence, to be sensed as a function of either or both of axial position relative to the wave front of the magnetic field (or, effectively equivalently any other known datum such as the radial plane of the midpoint of the field generator), and circumferential position about the periphery of the apparatus as measured from an angular datum. Post processing calculation may then tend to permit inferences to be drawn about the location, size, size, shape, and perhaps nature, of anomalies in the object. The sensors, and possibly the entire field generator, may be maintained at a standoff distance from the object to be inspected, as by a sealed housing such as may protect the sensors and reduce the need for and cost of maintenance. The field generator may include two primary poles of like nature held in a non-touching back to back orientation, and may include secondary magnetic circuits placed to bias the flux of the primary magnetic circuit into a more focussed shape with respect to the object to be inspected. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120074932 | NONDESTRUCTIVE INSPECTION OF A STRUCTURE IN AN AIRCRAFT - The invention relates to a non-destructive inspection method using eddy currents for detecting flaws in a metal structure ( | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120119732 | MAGNETOSTRICTIVE SENSOR ARRAY FOR ACTIVE OR SYNTHETIC PHASED-ARRAY FOCUSING OF GUIDED WAVES - A system includes at least one strip of ferromagnetic material and a plurality of pulsing/receiving coil circuits. The at least one strip of ferromagnetic material is induced with a bias magnetic field and is coupled to a surface of a structure under test. The plurality of pulsing/receiving coil circuits are aligned with a surface of the at least one strip of the ferromagnetic material. The plurality of pulsing/receiving coil circuits are individually controllable by a number of channels to excite guided waves in the structure under test using at least one of active phased-array focusing or synthetic phased-array focusing of the guided waves. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120119733 | INSPECTION DEVICE - An inspection device that is capable of inspecting all heat-transfer-tube sealing portions in a steam generator and that is also capable of analyzing a defect shape is provided. An inspection device that employs the eddy-current flaw detection method to inspect the presence/absence of a defect in a welded portion ( | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120169326 | METHODS, SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING MATERIAL DEFECTS IN COMBUSTORS OF COMBUSTION TURBINE ENGINES - A system for detecting defects in a combustion duct of a combustion system of a combustion turbine engine while the combustion turbine engine operates, wherein the combustion duct comprises a hot side, which is exposed to combustion gases and, opposing the hot side, a cold side. The system may include: an indicator coating disposed on the cold side of the combustion duct; and a proximity sensor positioned in proximity to the combustion duct and configured to detect a distance between the position of the proximity sensor and the cold side of the combustion duct. | 07-05-2012 |
| 20120235675 | INSPECTION MODE SWITCHING CIRCUIT - An eddy current probe testing apparatus structured to operate concurrently in a driver pick-up mode and said impedance mode is provided. The eddy current probe has two coils. The eddy current probe testing apparatus also includes a signal producing device, an output device, and a switch assembly. The switch assembly is structured to switch how an input signal from the signal producing device is provided to the two coils. Thus, an inspection may be performed in two modes concurrently. | 09-20-2012 |
| 20120319681 | DEVICE FOR DETECTION OF DEFECTS IN A RECESS - The invention relates to a device for the detection of defects in a recess, comprising a longitudinal hollow body ( | 12-20-2012 |
| 20130057269 | LEAKAGE FLUX PROBE FOR NON-DESTRUCTIVE LEAKAGE FLUX-TESTING OF BODIES CONSISTING OF MAGNETISABLE MATERIAL - A leakage flux probe for non-destructive leakage flux-testing of magnetisable bodies comprising a plurality of coils for detection of near-surface flaws in the body, wherein the coils have a degree of sensitivity which is dependent upon the orientation of the flaws in the body, and wherein coils having a different degree of sensitivity are disposed in the leakage flux probe with a first type of coil having a high degree of sensitivity for longitudinal flaws or transverse flaws and a second type of coil having a high degree of sensitivity for oblique flaws. | 03-07-2013 |
| 20130076349 | EDDY CURRENT PROBE - An eddy current probe | 03-28-2013 |
| 20130088222 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MEASURING WRINKLE DEPTH IN A COMPOSITE STRUCTURE - In accordance with one embodiment, a method is provided for non-destructive examination of a composite structure having a non-conductive surface and a conductive substrate. The method may include applying an alternating current to a probe having a coil conductor, scanning the probe across the non-conductive surface to induce eddy currents in the conductive substrate, and measuring changes in an electrical property of the probe in response to changes in the eddy currents indicative of variations in the depth of the conductive substrate. | 04-11-2013 |
| 20130193960 | Eddy Current Flaw Detection System and Eddy Current Flaw Detection Method - An eddy current flaw detection system includes an eddy current flaw detection probe having a substrate facing an inspection surface, and at least one exciting coil and at least two detecting coils provided on the substrate, a scanning device which scans the probe on the inspection surface, a scan control device which drives and controls the scanning device, an eddy current flaw detection device which acquires results of detection of a plurality of detection points corresponding to combinations of the exciting and detecting coils for each scan position of the probe, and a data processing/display device which processes data from the scan control device and the eddy current flaw detection device and thereby displays a result of flaw detection. The data processing/display device acquires three-dimensional coordinates of the detection points for each scan position of the probe and thereby creates three-dimensional flaw detection data. | 08-01-2013 |
| 20130200889 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR INDUCTIVE MEASUREMENTS - A method and device for nondestructive and noncontact detection of faults in a test piece, or electrically conductive particles in a liquid flow, moving passed the device, using eddy currents. The test piece or flow is exposed to periodic alternating electromagnetic fields. A periodic electrical signal is detected. The receiver coil signal is digitized with an A/D converter stage. A useful signal is produced from the digitized receiver coil signal with a signal processing unit, and the useful signal is evaluated with an evaluation unit for detecting a fault in the test piece or electrically conductive particles. When overdriving of the A/D converter stage by the receiver coil signal is ascertained by monitoring the curve shape of the digitized receiver coil signal, a part of the receiver coil signal truncated by the A/D converter stage is reconstructed using a mathematical approximation in the digitized receiver coil signal. | 08-08-2013 |
| 20130314082 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETECTING CRACK IN SMALL-BORE PIPING SYSTEM - Disclosed herein are an apparatus and method for detecting a crack in a small-bore piping system. The apparatus includes a sensor unit, a bobbin coil, a power supply unit, and a signal reception unit. The sensor unit is configured such that a plurality of magnetic sensors is arranged thereon and formed to be cylindrical. The bobbin coil is wound around the outside surface of the sensor unit. The power supply unit applies direct current (DC) power to the sensor unit and alternating current (AC) power to the bobbin coil. The signal reception unit quantifies a signal from the sensor unit. The sensor unit detects the distribution of a magnetic-field attributable to the crack in the small-bore piping system based on the AC power applied to the bobbin coil. | 11-28-2013 |
| 20130328555 | PULSED EDDY CURRENT SENSOR FOR PRECISION LIFT-OFF MEASUREMENT - There is described a pulsed eddy current sensor for measurement of a lift-off distance over a surface of a metallic substrate (a metallic surface). The pulsed eddy current sensor comprises: a primary excitation coil to which are applied voltage pulses for generating primary magnetic fields, wherein an interaction of the primary magnetic fields with the metallic substrate produces secondary magnetic fields; and secondary pick-up probes, each of the secondary pick-up probes located at a different vertical distance from the metallic surface, the secondary pick-up probes used for measuring the primary and secondary magnetic fields and for producing a differential signal that is representative of the lift-off distance. | 12-12-2013 |
| 20140002070 | AXIAL AND CIRCUMFERENTIAL FLAW SENSING EDDY CURRENT PROBE | 01-02-2014 |
| 20140002071 | PROBE FOR ANALYZING AN ASSEMBLY OF RODS OR TUBES | 01-02-2014 |
| 20140055130 | NONDESTRUCTIVE INSPECTION DEVICE USING ALTERNATING MAGNETIC FIELD, AND NONDESTRUCTIVE INSPECTION METHOD - [Problem] In conventional non-destructive inspection devices using magnetism, the subject of inspection was limited to the surface layer of the test object as a result of the skin effect, and it was not possible to perform flaw detection inspection at the interior or reverse surface of thick-structured test objects. [Solution] The effect of the surface effect was eliminated by imparting an external signal canceling the detection output of the test object surface layer from the detection output of a magnetic field resulting from eddy currents induced in the test object. As a result, it has become possible to extract the detection output of the test object interior that had been masked by the detection output of the test object surface layer, and it has become possible to perform thickness inspection and flaw detection of the reverse surface and interior or a test object. | 02-27-2014 |
| 20140084910 | SURFACE PROPERTY INSPECTION DEVICE AND SURFACE PROPERTY INSPECTION METHOD - To provide a surface property inspection device and surface property inspection method with which the surface treatment condition of treated material such as steel subjected to such surface treatments as shot-peening treatment or heat treatment, nitriding, and the like can be non-destructively and precisely inspected, and which offers a high degree of general purpose application. A surface property inspection device | 03-27-2014 |
| 20140097834 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR STEAM GENERATOR TUBE ANALYSIS FOR DETECTION OF TUBE DEGRADATION - The systems and methods of the invention pertain to analyzing steam generator tube data for the detection of wear. Further, the invention is capable of performing a comparison of current tube signal data to baseline or historic tube signal data, e.g., from previous and/or the first, in-service inspection of the steam generator. The systems and methods are automated and can generate results to show potential tube-to-tube contact wear areas as well as the progression of tube-to-tube gap reduction within a steam generator tube bundle. In certain embodiments, the invention is capable of comparing current and historical eddy current data to determine the difference that may be related to degradation or other interested phenomena, and of processing and trending historical comparison results to establish normal variance and detect abnormal variances. | 04-10-2014 |
| 20140239944 | CARBURIZATION SENSING METHOD - The present invention provides a method for sensing whether carburization occurs or not on an inner surface of a pipe or tube by an electromagnetic testing, comprising: a first step of inserting a carburized tube P | 08-28-2014 |
| 20140253110 | Magnetostrictive Sensor Having Crimped Magnetostrictive Strip for High Temperature Operation - A sensor for use in magnetostrictive testing of a structure. The sensor has a thin ferromagnetic strip with a series of parallel crimps across its width. A first wire coil is wrapped around the width of the strip and along its entire length, such that portions of wire that cross the bottom surface of the strip are located inside the crimps, and portions of wire that are wrapped across the top surface of the strip are between the crimps. The sensor further has a second coil wrapped around the length of the strip, or for pipeline applications, around the pipeline. | 09-11-2014 |
| 20140253111 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR LOCALIZATION OF OPEN DEFECTS IN ELECTRONIC DEVICES WITH A DC SQUID BASED RF MAGNETOMETER - Non-destructive localization of open defects in electronic devices is performed with a DC SQUID based RF magnetometer capable of sensing coherent magnetic fields up to 200 MHz and higher. RF magnetic fields (or RF current) images are correlated to conductive paths layout of the electronic device, and the open defect is pinpointed at a location of RF current disappearance on the current image. The bandwidth limitations associated with transmission line delays between SQUID circuit and readout electronic, as well as with near-field coupling between different parts of the measurement scheme, are overcome by superimposing the RF flux emanating from device under study on the modulation flux to produce at the SQUID output a binary phase modulated RF voltage, which is processed to lock the static flux, and to control modulation regime by producing an AC bias for the RF flux. RF readout electronics is based on a double lock-in through sequential demodulation of the RF component of the output SQUID voltage at the modulation flux frequency ω | 09-11-2014 |
| 20140312888 | Flexible Magnetostrictive Probe Having Sensor Elements Without Permanent Magnets - A sensor for use in magnetostrictive testing of a structure. An array of sensor elements is attached to a flexible backing. Each sensor element has a thin strip made from magnetostrictive material, a first coil wrapped around the width of the strip and operable to provide a DC bias magnetic field, and a second coil wrapped around the width of the strip and operable for MsS generation and detection. Typically, the first coils of all strips are electrically connected to each other and the second coils of all strips are electrically connected to each other, to form two separate coil circuits. The probe may be wrapped around the circumference of a cylindrical structure, and used for magnetostrictive testing. | 10-23-2014 |
| 20140312889 | MAGNET EVALUATION DEVICE AND METHOD - A magnet evaluation device is provided for evaluating a magnet having at least two magnetic pieces bonded to an insulating material sandwiched between two adjacent ones of the magnetic pieces. The magnet evaluation device has an excitation coil and a detection coil. The excitation coil is configured to generate a magnetic field that has a size in a range that corresponds to a region including the insulating material. The detection coil has a coil diameter that is smaller than a length of one of the magnetic pieces in a direction in which the magnetic pieces are aligned. | 10-23-2014 |
| 20140312890 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MONITORING THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF A PIPELINE BY MEANS OF A SUPERCONDUCTING MAGNET - An inspection apparatus ( | 10-23-2014 |
| 20140347042 | MODULAR EXCITATION SYSTEM - An excitation device for high-energy tests of stator cores of electric generators or motors is disclosed. The excitation device includes one or more excitation modules. Each excitation module includes an excitation winding and a power supply configured to drive an excitation current through the excitation winding which contributes to the overall excitation of the stator core. The excitation module further includes a capacitor. The power supply of the excitation module acts as current source at its output. | 11-27-2014 |
| 20140354274 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EDDY-CURRENT FLAW DETECTION - An eddy-current flaw detection method includes a synchronization step (S | 12-04-2014 |
| 20140375309 | Apparatus and Method for Eddy Current Inspection of Structures - There is provided a probe apparatus. The probe apparatus has a first end configured to connect to a rotating scanner device. The probe apparatus further has a second end with two or more eddy current elements. The second end further has a positioning mechanism configured to position the two or more eddy current elements against cavity walls of an annular cavity of a structure to be inspected with the probe apparatus, when the probe apparatus is positioned within the annular cavity. The second end further has an aligning mechanism coupled to the positioning mechanism. The aligning mechanism is configured to align the two or more eddy current elements in a perpendicular position with respect to the cavity walls of the annular cavity, when the probe apparatus is positioned within the annular cavity. | 12-25-2014 |
| 20150035523 | NON DESTRUCTIVE EVALUATION SCANNING PROBE WITH SELF-CONTAINED MULTI-AXIS POSITION ENCODER - A scanning probe for an industrial nondestructive evaluation (NDE) ultrasound or eddy current scanning system. The scanning probe gathers reflected waveform data indicative of internal characteristics of the test object. The scanning probe also includes a self-contained multi-axis position encoder that correlates both multi-dimensional probe underside translation and rotation motion across the test sample surface with the multi-dimensional spatial location on the test object surface. The position encoder compensates for probe rotation that would otherwise negatively impact probe position determination accuracy. A data acquisition system combines sets of positional and waveform data for processing by an NDE analyzer. | 02-05-2015 |
| 20150042323 | FAULT DETECTION FOR PIPELINES - The invention concerns structural integrity assessment apparatus for determining stress concentration zones in a structure, such as a pipeline. The apparatus allows particularly to detect defects in buried pipelines using magnetometric surveying where anomalies in the magnetic field around the pipelines are detected. The apparatus has a plurality of triaxial magnetic field sensors, each sensor being arranged to measure magnetic field components in a plurality of directions. A support is provided to maintain said sensors in a predetermined relative spacing and orientation. The support is moveable relative to a structure under assessment in use and may be portable. Three or more magnetic field sensors are provided which may be arranged in a linear, two-dimensional or three-dimensional array. The apparatus may include position determining means, such as a global positioning system (GPS), so that stress concentration zones can be located on the structure. | 02-12-2015 |
| 20150130454 | DAMAGE DETECTING APPARATUS - A damage detecting apparatus comprises a magnetic-flux generating unit, a first magnetic-flux detecting element, a second magnetic-flux detecting element and a supporting unit. The magnetic-flux generating unit generates a magnetic flux in an object to be inspected. The first magnetic-flux detecting element is detects a magnetic flux leaking from a circumferential part of the object. The second magnetic-flux detecting element is arranged, opposing the first magnetic-flux detecting element across the object and detects a magnetic flux leaking from any other circumferential part of the object. The supporting unit supports the first and second magnetic-flux detecting elements, enabling the first and second magnetic-flux detecting elements to change in position relative to each other in a diameter direction of the object. | 05-14-2015 |
| 20150145510 | Durability Enhanced And Redundant Embedded Sensors - A substantially planar eddy-current sensor having durability enhancing pillars in an active region is provided. The pillars are distributed and sized so as to have limited effect on the sensor's performance. When the sensor is mounted on a component such that the sensor experiences forces on a top and bottom surface, the pillars bear the load reducing the load bore by the active elements (e.g., drive winding, sense elements). A sensor with redundant drive windings and/or redundant sense elements is disclosed. The redundant elements may be connected to separate electronics. Another aspect relates to providing a reference transformer for calibration of a sensor. The secondary windings of the reference transformer are connected in series with the sense elements of the sensor to be calibrated. Transimpedance measurements are made when the drive winding of the reference transformer is excited. The measurements are used to correct transimpedance measurements made when the drive winding of the sensor is excited. A system having an impedance analyzer and a plurality of multiplexing units is disclosed for monitoring a plurality of sensor. Each multiplexing units directs an excitation signal to the drive winding of a respective sensor and returns, serially, the sense element responses back to the impedance analyzer. The system coordinates the excitation of each sensor and return of the sensor response to share a serial network. The multiplexing units may have a reference transformer for calibration of their respective sensors. Optical communication may be used. | 05-28-2015 |
| 20150300990 | SURFACE SENSING METHOD FOR CORROSION SENSING VIA MAGNETIC MODULATION - A method includes pulsating a magnetic field at a first location associated with an external surface of a wall containing magnetic material. The method also includes measuring at least one characteristic of the pulsating magnetic field at a second location associated with the external surface of the wall. The at least one characteristic changes based on corrosion on an internal surface the wall between the first and second locations. The magnetic field could be pulsated by applying an AC signal to a conductive coil or by vibrating a magnet. The method could also include analyzing the at least one measured characteristic to identify an amount of the corrosion and/or a change in the amount of the corrosion. Use of the internal surface the wall could be modified based on the amount or change of the corrosion. Multiple magnetic fields can be generated at multiple first locations, and the at least one characteristic can be measured at multiple second locations. | 10-22-2015 |
| 20150323502 | EDDY CURRENT FLAW DETECTION PROBE AND EDDY CURRENT FLAW INSPECTION APPARATUS - The eddy current flaw detection probe ( | 11-12-2015 |
| 20150338377 | Eddy Current Inspection Probe - A device and method of eddy current based nondestructive testing of tubular structures made of electrically conductive materials is disclosed. The probe includes means for producing an electromagnetic field for inducing an eddy current in a device under test, means for sensing eddy current signals in the device under test, and an analog to digital converter, wherein the analog to digital converter is conditioned to receive the sensed eddy current signals and to transmit a digital signal related to the eddy current signals. | 11-26-2015 |
| 20150346153 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DETECTING NONUNIFORMITIES IN A MATERIAL, COMPONENT, OR STRUCTURE - Methods of detecting non-uniformities in a material are described. Such methods can comprise inducing changes in strain state or changing the magnetic moment of a material and measuring magnetic flux leakage that is synchronous with the changes in strain state or magnetic moment, while simultaneously applying an external magnetic field to control the relative magnitude of the magnetic flux leakage. | 12-03-2015 |
| 20160146758 | AUTONOMOUS PIPELINE INSPECTION USING MAGNETIC TOMOGRAPHY - The present invention discloses a device and system for magnetographic analysis of mechanical flaws and defects along structures located underwater for example, metallic pipelines, utilizing an autonomous magnetic tomography method (MTM) apparatus based on the inverse magnetostrictive effect for magnetographic identification, in the form of an array of flexible autonomous undersea vehicle (AUV) torpedo constructions of interconnected elements or pods. The array of AUV torpedo constructions are flexibly linked together so that the device can readily navigate within the contours of pipeline to be inspected using the flow media as propulsion means or alternatively by means of independent motive means without interfering with the system flow. The torpedo construction elements or pods each contain three MTM sensors situated 120 degrees apart on a non-perpendicular cross section arrangement, and perform a variety of independent functions. e.g., data storage data, sensor data memory unit, odometer distance measurements, GPS location, geomagnetic navigation capability. | 05-26-2016 |
| 20160146759 | CIRCUIT AND METHOD OF PROVIDING A STABLE DISPLAY FOR EDDY CURRENT INSTRUMENTS - A rotary bolt hole eddy current inspection scanner using a differential eddy current probe, the circuitry of the scanner is embodied with a filtering circuit with three filters: FIR (Finite Impulse Response), a low pass filter, and a phase control filter (by means of a Hilbert transform). The result from a scan of a bolt hole is an output signal on an impedance plane exhibiting a “backwards 6” shape of stable size when the scanner changes its rotating rate significantly. | 05-26-2016 |
| 20160178581 | SYSTEM FOR EVALUATING WELD QUALITY USING EDDY CURRENTS | 06-23-2016 |
