Abstract: A system includes a magnetostrictive strip configured to be wrapped at least partially around an outer surface of a structure. A plurality of coil circuits are disposed on at least one flexible PCB that is configured to be disposed adjacent to the magnetostrictive strip. Each coil circuit is individually controllable by a plurality of channels to at least one of excite or detect guided waves in the structure. A plurality of magnets are configured to induce a magnetic field in the magnetostrictive strip. A connector is configured electrically connect at least one of the plurality of coil circuits and at least one the plurality of channels. A body constructed from a flexible material is sized and configured to at least partially encapsulate at least one other component of the system.

Abstract: Non-destructive inspection systems (10) and methods for inspecting structural flaws that may be in a structure (15) based on guided wave thermography. The method may include sweeping a frequency-phase space to maximize ultrasonic energy distribution across the structure while minimizing input energy, e.g., via a plurality of actuators. The system may include transducer elements (12, 14, 16, 17) configured to predominantly generate shear horizontal-type guided waves in the structure to maximize thermal response from any flaws.

Abstract: A sensor includes a flexible cable arranged to provide a plurality of independent electrical coils and a connector. Each of the plurality of independent electrical coils extend from a first end to a second end and is configured to be wrapped at least partially around a surface of a structure to be tested. The connector is electrically coupled to the first end of at least one of the plurality of independent electrical coils. The plurality of independent electrical coils is configured such that current will flow in a common direction between the first ends and the second ends within each said independent coil. Systems and methods also are disclosed.

Abstract: A system includes a scanner body, a sensor package, a magnet, an actuator mechanism, and a retention mechanism. The sensor package includes a ferromagnetic strip and a flexible coil configured to at least one of transmit and detect a guided wave. The magnet is for applying a biasing magnetic field to the ferromagnetic strip. The actuator mechanism is configured to provide a mechanical pressure coupling between the magnetostrictive strip and a structure, and the retention mechanism is configured to counteract a force applied by the actuator mechanism. A processor is in communication with the sensor package and is configured to record guided wave signals detected by the flexible sensor coil, record scanner body location data provided by a position encoder, and generate two-dimensional image data of an anomaly in the structure based on the guided wave signals and location data. Methods of use and operation also are disclosed.

Abstract: A system for non-destructive inspection of a structure includes a magnetostrictive strip, a plurality of coil circuits, a jacket assembly, and a tensioner. The magnetostrictive strip is configured to be induced with a bias magnetic field and wrapped at least partially around an outer surface of a structure. The plurality of coil circuits disposed on a flexible circuit board having at least two layers of conductive signal traces. The jacket assembly includes an inner jacket component, an outer jacket component, and a mid-layer component configured to be disposed adjacent to the plurality of coil circuits. The tensioner is configured to provide a mechanical pressure coupling between the magnetostrictive strip and the structure. Each coil circuit is individually controllable by a plurality of channels to at least one of excite or detect guided waves in the structure.

Abstract: A sensor includes a flexible cable arranged to provide a plurality of independent electrical coils and a connector. Each of the plurality of independent electrical coils extend from a first end to a second end and is configured to be wrapped at least partially around a surface of a structure to be tested. The connector is electrically coupled to the first end of at least one of the plurality of independent electrical coils. The plurality of independent electrical coils is configured such that current will flow in a common direction between the first ends and the second ends within each said independent coil. Systems and methods also are disclosed.

Abstract: A system includes a scanner body, a sensor package, a magnet, an actuator mechanism, and a retention mechanism. The sensor package includes a ferromagnetic strip and a flexible coil configured to at least one of transmit and detect a guided wave. The magnet is for applying a biasing magnetic field to the ferromagnetic strip. The actuator mechanism is configured to provide a mechanical pressure coupling between the magnetostrictive strip and a structure, and the retention mechanism is configured to counteract a force applied by the actuator mechanism. A processor is in communication with the sensor package and is configured to record guided wave signals detected by the flexible sensor coil, record scanner body location data provided by a position encoder, and generate two-dimensional image data of an anomaly in the structure based on the guided wave signals and location data. Methods of use and operation also are disclosed.

Abstract: A system for non-destructive inspection of a structure includes a magnetostrictive strip, a plurality of coil circuits, a jacket assembly, and a tensioner. The magnetostrictive strip is configured to be induced with a bias magnetic field and wrapped at least partially around an outer surface of a structure. The plurality of coil circuits disposed on a flexible circuit board having at least two layers of conductive signal traces. The jacket assembly includes an inner jacket component, an outer jacket component, and a mid-layer component configured to be disposed adjacent to the plurality of coil circuits. The tensioner is configured to provide a mechanical pressure coupling between the magnetostrictive strip and the structure. Each coil circuit is individually controllable by a plurality of channels to at least one of excite or detect guided waves in the structure.

Abstract: A system includes a magnetostrictive strip configured to be wrapped at least partially around an outer surface of a structure. A plurality of coil circuits are disposed on at least one flexible PCB that is configured to be disposed adjacent to the magnetostrictive strip. Each coil circuit is individually controllable by a plurality of channels to at least one of excite or detect guided waves in the structure. A plurality of magnets are configured to induce a magnetic field in the magnetostrictive strip. A connector is configured electrically connect at least one of the plurality of coil circuits and at least one the plurality of channels. A body constructed from a flexible material is sized and configured to at least partially encapsulate at least one other component of the system.

Abstract: Non-destructive inspection systems (10) and methods for inspecting structural flaws that may be in a structure (15) based on guided wave thermography. The method may include sweeping a frequency-phase space to maximize ultrasonic energy distribution across the structure while minimizing input energy, e.g., via a plurality of actuators. The system may include transducer elements (12, 14, 16, 17) configured to predominantly generate shear horizontal-type guided waves in the structure to maximize thermal response from any flaws.

Abstract: A system includes at least one optical fiber having at least one FBG and a detection system. The optical fiber is configured to be coupled to a structure in at least one location. The location at which the optical fiber is to be coupled to the structure is different from a location at which the FBG is disposed. The detection system includes a light source configured to inject light into the optical fiber, a photodetector configured to detect a shift in a wavelength spectrum of light reflected by the FBG as a result of a time-varying strain induced at the at least one FBG, and a processor configured to detect a shear-horizontal guided stress wave propagating in said structure based on the shift in the wavelength spectrum detected by the photodetector induced by a longitudinal-type guided stress wave that is propagated along the optical fiber.

Abstract: A system for non-destructive inspection of a structure includes at least one magnetostrictive strip, a plurality of coil circuits, a jacket having at least one component layer, and a tensioner. The at least one magnetostrictive strip is configured to be induced with a bias magnetic field and be wrapped at least partially around an outer surface of the structure. The plurality of coil circuits are configured to be disposed adjacent to the at least one magnetostrictive strip, and the jacket is configured to be disposed adjacent to at least one of the plurality of coil circuits. The tensioner is configured to provide a mechanical pressure coupling between said at least one magnetostrictive strip and said structure. At least one of the plurality of coil circuits is individually controllable by a number of channels to at least one of excite or detect guided waves in said structure.

Abstract: A system includes at least one optical fiber having at least one FBG and a detection system. The optical fiber is configured to be coupled to a structure in at least one location. The location at which the optical fiber is to be coupled to the structure is different from a location at which the FBG is disposed. The detection system includes a light source configured to inject light into the optical fiber, a photodetector configured to detect a shift in a wavelength spectrum of light reflected by the FBG as a result of a time-varying strain induced at the at least one FBG, and a processor configured to detect a shear-horizontal guided stress wave propagating in said structure based on the shift in the wavelength spectrum detected by the photodetector induced by a longitudinal-type guided stress wave that is propagated along the optical fiber.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive transducer assembly for generating a longitudinal elastic guided wave of a selected frequency and mode and for guiding the wave into an open end of a heat exchanger tube for testing the tube. The transducer assembly comprises a current-carrying coil of wire, a magnetostrictive material wrapped around the coil of wire, a mechanism for pressing the magnetostrictive material against an inner surface of the tube, and one or more biasing magnets placed in the vicinity of the current-carrying coil of wire and the magnetostrictive material.

Abstract: An inspection system includes a magnetostrictive scanner probe, a ferromagnetic strip, at least one magnet, and a processor. The magnetostrictive scanner probe includes a probe body for supporting at least one flexible sensor coil and a position encoder. The ferromagnetic strip is configured to be coupled to a structure, and the at least one magnet is configured to apply a biasing magnetization to the ferromagnetic strip. The processor is configured to cause a time-varying current to be generated in the at least one flexible sensor coil to induce a time-varying magnetization in said ferromagnetic strip perpendicular to said biasing magnetization to generate shear horizontal-type guided wave energy into said structure, and process reflected shear horizontal-type guided wave energy received by the at least one flexible sensor coil as the probe is moved relative to said structure to generate at least one two-dimensional image of a region of said structure.

Abstract: A system for detecting ice accretion includes a probe body, at least one magnetostrictive guided wave sensor for generating and receiving shear horizontal-type guided waves supported by said probe body, and a controller. The magnetostrictive guided wave sensor includes a ferromagnetic strip, at least one sensor coil disposed adjacent to said ferromagnetic strip, and at least one biasing magnet configured to induce a biasing magnetic field in said ferromagnetic strip. The controller includes a processor in signal communication with the at least one magnetostrictive guided wave sensor. The processor configured to cause the at least one magnetostrictive guided wave sensor to generate guided waves in the body, extract at least one signal feature from a guided wave signal received by the at least one magnetostrictive guided wave sensor, and determine at least one characteristic of ice accreted on an outer surface of said probe body.

Abstract: A system for non-destructive inspection of a structure includes at least one magnetostrictive strip, a plurality of coil circuits, a jacket having at least one component layer, and a tensioner. The at least one magnetostrictive strip is configured to be induced with a bias magnetic field and be wrapped at least partially around an outer surface of the structure. The plurality of coil circuits are configured to be disposed adjacent to the at least one magnetostrictive strip, and the jacket is configured to be disposed adjacent to at least one of the plurality of coil circuits. The tensioner is configured to provide a mechanical pressure coupling between said at least one magnetostrictive strip and said structure. At least one of the plurality of coil circuits is individually controllable by a number of channels to at least one of excite or detect guided waves in said structure.

Abstract: A system for non-destructive inspection of a structure includes a magnetostrictive pulser coil and a ferromagnetic strip. The ferromagnetic strip is coupled to the structure adjacent to the pulser coil. A scanner receiver probe is located adjacent to the ferromagnetic strip. The probe includes a probe body, a position encoder, and a magnetostrictive partial loading receiver coil. A magnet applies a biasing magnetic field to the ferromagnetic strip. A pulser system generates a time-varying current in the pulser coil to induce a time-varying magnetization in the ferromagnetic strip to generate guided wave energy in the structure. The probe detects reflected guided wave energy as the probe is moved around the circumference of the structure. A processor controls the pulser system, records guided wave reflections, and process the guided wave and probe position data to generate a one-dimensional image or a two-dimensional image of anomalies in said structure.

Abstract: An ultrasonic guided wave system for defect detection in a plate-like structure, includes at least one first circumferentially-polarized piezoelectric d15 shear ring element configured to be coupled to a structure. The controller includes a machine readable storage medium and a processor in signal communication with the machine readable storage medium. The processor is configured to cause a pulse generator to pulse the at least first circumferentially-polarized piezoelectric d15 shear ring element such that shear horizontal-type guided wave energy is transmitted in all directions in the plate-like structure, process at least one guided wave signal to identify the presence and location of at least one possible defect in the plate-like structure, and store the guided wave signal and defect detection data in the machine readable storage medium.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive transducer assembly for generating a longitudinal elastic guided wave of a selected frequency and mode and for guiding the wave into an open end of a heat exchanger tube for testing the tube. The transducer assembly comprises a current-carrying coil of wire, a magnetostrictive material wrapped around the coil of wire, a mechanism for pressing the magnetostrictive material against an inner surface of the tube, and one or more biasing magnets placed in the vicinity of the current-carrying coil of wire and the magnetostrictive material.