Abstract: A system for detecting and quantifying changes in the stress-strain state of a ferrous structure includes an exciter coil system positioned to generate an AC magnetic field that couples into the ferrous structure. A detector apparatus is positioned relative to the exciter to detect an eddy current magnetic field resulting from the AC magnetic field generated by the exciter coil system. An analyzer compares the eddy current magnetic field parameters detected by the detector apparatus with the direct AC magnetic field transmitted by the exciter coil system and correlates changes in the parameters of the eddy current magnetic field with the stress-strain on the ferrous structure.

Abstract: A probe 100 includes exciter units 102 arranged in an array and detector units 104 and 106, also arranged in arrays, with the arrays positioned proximal to and in the shape of the exterior circumference of an individual boiler tube 108. The detector units 104 are “absolute” coil detectors which are used to detect and quantify general wall loss, for example, resulting from steam impingement erosion. The detectors 106 are differential, axial pairs which are used for detecting pits in the boiler tubers. The exciter units and detector units are mounted in a stainless steel housing 110 of the probe. The housing 110 is shaped to closely match the contour of the boiler tube 108. The probe can be moved along the boiler tubes by hand to inspect the flame side of boiler tubes, one at a time. Wheels 112 are provided to roll the probe along the boiler tubes.

Abstract: A probe including a plurality of links connected together in series, wherein the plurality of links create a flexible compartment containing at least a first and second exciter means and at least one pair of detector means, wherein the exciter means are driven by an alternating current to produce an alternating magnetic field, and the detector means are configured to detect the magnetic field of an induced eddy current caused by the exciter means magnetic field.

Abstract: A probe 100 includes exciter units 102 arranged in an array and detector units 104 and 106, also arranged in arrays, with the arrays positioned proximal to and in the shape of the exterior circumference of an individual boiler tube 108. The detector units 104 are “absolute” coil detectors which are used to detect and quantify general wall loss, for example, resulting from steam impingement erosion. The detectors 106 are differential, axial pairs which are used for detecting pits in the boiler tubers. The exciter units and detector units are mounted in a stainless steel housing 110 of the probe. The housing 110 is shaped to closely match the contour of the boiler tube 108. The probe can be moved along the boiler tubes by hand to inspect the flame side of boiler tubes, one at a time. Wheels 112 are provided to roll the probe along the boiler tubes.

Abstract: A probe including a plurality of links connected together in series, wherein the plurality of links create a flexible compartment containing at least a first and second exciter means and at least one pair of detector means, wherein the exciter means are driven by an alternating current to produce an alternating magnetic field, and the detector means are configured to detect the magnetic field of an induced eddy current caused by the exciter means magnetic field.

Abstract: A system for detecting and quantifying changes in the stress-strain state of a ferrous structure includes an exciter coil system is positioned to generate an AC magnetic field that couples into the ferrous structure. A detector apparatus is positioned relative to the excited to detect an eddy current magnetic field resulting from the AC magnetic field generated by the exciter coil system. An analyzer compares the eddy current magnetic field parameters detected by the detector apparatus with the direct AC magnetic field transmitted by the exciter coil system and correlates changes in the parameters of the eddy current magnetic field with the stress-strain on the ferrous structure.

Abstract: A blanket probe for detecting the thickness of a wall having a non-planar surface has a probe portion comprising a planar substrate that is flexible in one or two dimensions, an array of detectors mounted on the substrate and at least one interface for communicating signals to and from each detector.

Abstract: A method of determining optimal repair options for cast iron and ductile iron water or wastewater pipe sections having a number of pipe-lengths is provided. The method includes the computer-implemented steps of inputting measured pipe-length wall dimensional data, determining pipe failure rates for current and future times based on the input data, defining one or more repair scenarios for the pipe, and determining the pipe failure rates for the defined repair scenarios. The pipe failure rate determinations are provided to the user as an output. The calculation of failure rates includes determining probability of pipe-length failure due to corrosion and determining probability of pipe-length failure due to transverse bending.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a method is provided for analyzing RFT data from a data file. The method includes parsing the data file into pipe lengths, calculating a phase profile for the data points within each pipe length, locating potential defects in the pipe length using the phase profiles, determining for each defect a total equivalent phase shift as a combination of a circumferential equivalent phase shift and a non-circumferential equivalent phase shift, and using the total equivalent phase shift to analyze the defect.