Abstract: A flex circuit for creating artificial defects uses a thin conductive layer with rectangular slots therein representing defects. A thin insulating over-layer is used to protect the conductive layer as well as an eddy current probe. The flexible circuit is then temporarily attached to the surface of the part or material to be inspected. A feature of the described system is that it is directly scalable to an electric discharge machined (EDM) notch. In an embodiment, a thin conductive layer is used which is scalable to a thicker lower conductive layer like a conventional EDM notch. In this way, a thin conductive artificial defect can electromagnetically represent a thicker albeit less conductive EDM notch. The flexible circuit makes it easier to place multiple notches in complex part geometries, and allows for more accurate relative positioning between slots, e.g., for array and wide coverage probes.

Abstract: A method includes the steps of producing a first digital x-ray image of a part utilizing a full energy spectrum, producing a second digital x-ray image of the part with a hardened beam correlating to a higher energy portion of the full energy spectrum, subtracting the second x-ray image from the first x-ray image, and using a remainder of the subtracting step to locate the matter.

Abstract: A thermal imager has a sensor, a controller, and a flash source. The flash source is an array of IR LEDs. The thermal imager generates a thermal image of a work piece by generating an IR pulse, and sensing the IR radiation from the part.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A height adjustable stilt comprises a base and an extensible leg having a lower end secured to the base and an upper end. A foot support extends laterally from the extensible leg and is supported by the extensible leg. The foot support is height adjustable relative to the base as the extensible leg is extended or retracted. A height adjuster is configured to selectively extend the foot support relative to the base and configured to selectively fix the position of the foot support relative to the base.

Abstract: A height adjustable stilt comprises a base and an extensible leg having a lower end secured to the base and an upper end. A foot support extends laterally from the extensible leg and is supported by the extensible leg. The foot support is height adjustable relative to the base as the extensible leg is extended or retracted. A height adjuster is configured to selectively extend the foot support relative to the base and configured to selectively fix the position of the foot support relative to the base.

Abstract: A method of identifying a flaw in a part is provided that includes vibrating a part to induce heat. The heat originates in any flaws in the part. A thermal image is obtained using, for example, an infrared camera. A mathematical representation of the thermophysics, such as the heat conduction or thermal energy equations using the boundary element method or finite element method is used to identify a source and an intensity of the heat identified with the thermal image. Using the source and intensity of the heat, flaw characteristics for the part can be determined. The method is employed using an inspection system that includes a vibration device for vibrating the part. An imaging device, such as an infrared camera, measures temperature on the surface of the part. An assumption is made or additional measurements are taken to obtain values for surface flux or surface heat transfer coefficients. A processor communicates with the imaging device for receiving the surface temperature.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus includes a light source positioned to direct light to a first surface of a workpiece. An infrared detector is positioned to receive radiation from the first surface. A data acquisition and processing computer is coupled to the light source and the infrared detector. The computer triggers the light source to emit the light a number of instances. The computer acquires thermal data from the infrared detector for a number of times after each of the instances. The computer is configured to process the data using a theoretical solution to analyze the thermal data based upon an average of the thermal data for a number of each of corresponding ones of the times from different ones of the instances.

Abstract: An electric current perturbation probe includes at least one driver coil and at least one receiver. The at least one driver coil produces an omni-directional magnetic field. The at least one receiver is decoupled from the omni-directional magnetic field. In one example, the at least one driver coil includes a first driver coil that defines a first effective coil axis which is positioned orthogonally to a second effective coil axis of a second driver coil. The first driver coil is provided with a first electrical excitation signal which is phase shifted by 90 degrees from a second electrical excitation signal used to drive the second driver coil.

Abstract: A method of identifying a flaw in a part is provided that includes vibrating a part to induce heat. The heat originates in any flaws in the part. A thermal image is obtained using, for example, an infrared camera. A mathematical representation of the thermophysics, such as the heat conduction or thermal energy equations using the boundary element method or finite element method is used to identify a source and an intensity of the heat identified with the thermal image. Using the source and intensity of the heat, flaw characteristics for the part can be determined. The method is employed using an inspection system that includes a vibration device for vibrating the part. An imaging device, such as an infrared camera, measures temperature on the surface of the part. An assumption is made or additional measurements are taken to obtain values for surface flux or surface heat transfer coefficients. A processor communicates with the imaging device for receiving the surface temperature.

Abstract: A method of detecting defects in structures, comprising the steps of inducing mechanical energy in a structure via the emission of a broad-band acoustic signal, and capturing over a time interval a plurality of images of the structure each of the plurality of images comprised of a plurality of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and columns each indicative of an intensity of infrared energy emitted by a portion of the structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the velocity of ultrasonic surface skimming longitudinal waves on various materials are described herein. In embodiments, a surface skimming longitudinal wave is generated at a first location on a material, at least a portion of that wave is detected at a second location on the material, the time-of-flight of that wave between the first and second locations is determined, and then the velocity of that wave is determined. One or more crystallographic orientations of the material may then be determined based upon that velocity.

Abstract: A method of detecting defects in structures, comprising the steps of inducing mechanical energy in a structure via the emission of a broad-band acoustic signal, and capturing over a time interval a plurality of images of the structure each of the plurality of images comprised of a plurality of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and columns each indicative of an intensity of infrared energy emitted by a portion of the structure.

Abstract: A plurality of different structural members for reinforcing a plate-like structure, such as a bushing tip plate for intended use in forming fibers from a fluid material supplied to a bushing assembly, are disclosed. Each reinforcing member includes a body having a first portion for attachment to the structure and a second portion having a profile with a variable height including at least one apex. The body may be integrally formed of a single piece of material, or two or formed from more separate pieces of material bonded or secured together. The body may be T-shaped, L-shaped, or F-shaped in cross-section. The second portion of the body may have an inverted V-shaped profile, an inverted W-shaped profile, or an arcuate profile. The at least one apex may be located at the midpoint or elsewhere along the length of the body.

Abstract: A method of detecting defects in structures, comprising the steps of inducing mechanical energy in a structure via the emission of a broad-band acoustic signal, and capturing over a time interval a plurality of images of the structure each of the plurality of images comprised of a plurality of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and columns each indicative of an intensity of infrared energy emitted by a portion of the structure.

Abstract: A method for repairing a turbine blade (10) wherein the tip (16) of the blade is removed (41,43) and a replacement cap is attached by welding (49). The cap may consist of a plate (48) attached by welding and a squealer (54) formed by depositing weld material (52), as illustrated in FIG. 3. The plate and/or squealer may be formed from a material different from the material of the airfoil portion (42) of the blade in order to optimize the performance of the blade.

Abstract: An eddy current probe for use in inspecting an object, includes a driver having a coil with an effective coil axis, and further includes a receiver having a coil with a coil axis oriented substantially perpendicular to the driver coil effective coil axis, the receiver having a length, and a width, the length being the dimension in the direction parallel to the scanning path, and the width having a dimension magnitude substantially greater than that of the length. A method for inspecting an object uses such an eddy current probe. An eddy current probe for use in inspecting an object, includes a driver having a coil with an effective coil axis, the driver having a length and a width, the length being the dimension in a direction substantially parallel to a scanning path, and further includes a receiver having a coil with a coil axis oriented substantially perpendicular to the driver coil effective coil axis, where the magnitude of a distance between the receiver and at least one of the edges is less than 0.

Abstract: The current invention concerns a combustor having a coupling for a cross-flame tube. The coupling has inner and outer sleeves that form an annular passage therebetween. Holes in the outer sleeve place the annular passage in flow communication with cooling air in the combustion system chamber, thereby causing the cooling air to flow over the proximal end of the outer sleeve. A baffle is formed on the inner sleeve and has a pattern of raised and depressed areas. The raised areas form lands that are attached to the combustor wall. The depressed areas form passages with the wall that direct the cooling air from the annular passage so that it flows over the surface of the combustor inner wall, thereby preventing over heating of the wall.

Abstract: The relative orientation of a probe and a surface is maintained by positioning a proximity sensor off-axis on the probe, rotating the probe, and using the signal from the probe to adjust the relative orientation in a feedback loop.