Abstract: A tube inspection unit (10) includes an eddy current probe (14). The probe (14) has a plurality of inductors and a plurality of receivers. The receivers are magnetoresistances having a substantially linear functional zone. The inductors of the probe (14) are linked to a controller (26). The controller (26) is programmed to inject, into the inductors, a voltage with a sinusoidal component and a nonzero direct-current component, such that the receivers have a polarization center situated inside the substantially linear functional zone.

Abstract: An assembly for detecting and measuring the fouling rate by deposits containing at least one ferromagnetic material, including a probe which can be continuously moved inside a tube and which has a body carrying on its outer surface at least one magnetized source for self-orientation of the body of the probe, at least three magnetic field emitters and at least three magnetic field detectors each positioned between two contiguous emitters.

Abstract: An assembly for detecting and measuring the fouling rate by deposits containing at least one ferromagnetic material, including a probe which can be continuously moved inside a tube and which has a body carrying on its outer surface at least one magnetized source for self-orientation of the body of the, at least three magnetic field emitters and at least three magnetic field detectors each positioned between two contiguous emitters.

Abstract: The inventive photothermal test camera (16) is provided with a laser beam (4) shaping system (22) comprising a device (40) for extending the laser beam section in such a way that a heating area (2) extended in a direction (D) is formed on the surface of a testable piece (1), an array (8) of infrared sensors (10) for detecting a infrared radiation transmitted by a detection area (3) on the surface (1a) of the piece (1) with respect to the heating area (2) and a unit (46) for processing signals transmitted by the infrared sensors (10) in such a way that a thermographic image of the piece (1) surface (1a) is produced by scanning said surface (1a) with the aid of the heating area (2). An extending device (40) is embodied in the form of an optical device. Said invention can be used for non-destructive testing.

Abstract: This photothermal examination camera (16) comprises: a system (22) for shaping a laser beam (4), which includes a device (40) for elongating the cross section of the beam in order to form, on a surface of a part (1) to be examined, an elongate heating zone along a direction; a matrix (8) of infrared detectors for detecting infrared radiation emitted by a detection zone on the surface (1a) of the part (1) relative to the heating zone; and a signal processing unit (46) for processing the signals delivered by the infrared detectors in order to construct a thermographic image of the surface (1a) of the part (1) by scanning the surface (1a) with the heating zone. The camera includes a system for mechanically adjusting an offset between the elongate heating zone and the detection zone. Application to the non-destructive inspection of parts.

Abstract: An eddy current probe for the nondestructive testing of electrically conductive material parts comprises four identical active elements (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d), at lease in pairs, whose centers are arranged in accordance with a square or a quadrilateral, whose diagonals intersect at right angles and have an intersection point located in the center of one of them. The major axes (18a, 18b, 18c, 18d) of said elements are oriented perpendicular to the plane of the square or intersect at the same point on the normal to the center of the square. The active elements are generally windings. Preferably, opposite windings (10a, 10c and 10b, 10d) of the square are connected pairwise in series, so as to produce magnetic fields, which are summated according to the diagonals of the square and the two pairs are connected to one another according to a differential arrangement or circuit.

Abstract: For the nondestructive testing of an electrically conductive part (T), an eddy current sensor (22a) is proposed having two transmitter windings (26) and one receiver winding (28). These three windings are arranged symmetrically with respect to a reference plane (P1) oriented perpendicular to the surface of the part (T). The receiver winding (28) is placed between the active portions (26a) of the emitter windings (26) and perpendicular to the plane (P1), whereas the transmitter windings (26) are substantially parallel to said plane. The coils and connections of the transmitter windings are such that the receiver winding is not traversed by any current in the absence of a fault. A tool for testing a tube (T), such as a steam generator tube, has two sensors oriented at right angles to one another.