Abstract: There is provided an inspection device for the detection of flaws in a component. The inspection device comprises a magnetic field generator, a first array of magnetoresistive sensors and a second array of magnetoresistive sensors, in which the second array is substantially orthogonal to the first array. The signals generated by the first and second arrays are utilized by a processing element to determine a curl of the magnetic field signals effected by the eddy currents including the eddy currents encountering a flaw in the component. The curl of the magnetic field signals is then used to better illustrate the existence of the flaw and various parameters of the flaw. The magnetic field generator comprises a coil or linear arrays of conductors. The inspection device is preferably contained (1) within a hand-held housing or (2) mounted on any automated inspection platform, and advantageously comprises a display for illustration of the detected flaw.

Abstract: A non-destructive testing device has an excitation coil with a plurality of conductor ribbons attached to a flexible membrane. A frame supports the membrane and incorporates wheels for translation across a surface to be inspected and resilient suspension for maintaining the membrane with the excitation coil and wheels in intimate contact with the surface, the membrane flexing to maintain contact with a smoothly curved surface as found in aircraft structures. A magnetoresistive (MR) array is supported within the frame inserted in the membrane to be in close proximity to the surface.

Abstract: A hand held non-destructive testing device has a frame which supports an NDI sensor and incorporates means for translation across a surface to be inspected with position registration and resilient means for maintaining the sensor and the translation means in intimate contact with the surface. An ergonomic handle is mounted to the frame for manually controlled translation of the frame incorporates a plurality of control means for control of the sensor in scanning of the surface under inspection.

Abstract: There is provided an inspection device for the detection of flaws in a component. The inspection device comprises a first linear array of conductors and a second linear array of conductors that is generally parallel and orthogonal to the first linear array of conductors. The electric currents flowing through the first and second arrays create a magnetic field directed into the component that induces unidirectional eddy currents in the component. The unidirectional eddy currents may be rotated through 360 degrees by varying the amplitude and offsetting the phase of the electric currents flowing through the first and second arrays of conductors. When the unidirectional eddy currents encounter a flaw in the component, magnetic field signals in a Z vector are generated. The inspection device comprises a pickup sensor that detects the magnetic field signals to provide an output signal that is processed to determine parameters of the detected flaw.