Abstract: A device for non-destructive control of a component analyzes distribution of a leakage magnetic field emitted by the component when it is subjected to an exciting magnetic field, includes means for generating an exciting magnetic field inside the component to be tested, and means for detecting and measuring the distribution of the magnetic field. The set of means is integrated in a flexible housing to form a device in the form of a flexible coating for being fixed on a region of the surface of the component to be tested. The disclosed embodiments are useful for non-destructive testing of aircraft components, but may also be used in all industrial sectors where testing the integrity of components is important, such as the automotive, railway, marine or nuclear industry.

Abstract: A system and method of generating a magnetic field that is uniform in magnitude and direction may generally restrict the field from expanding away from a longitudinal axis. In some instances, such a magnetic field may be controllable in magnitude and direction. In accordance with some embodiments, a generated magnetic field may be selectively confined to a predetermined three-dimensional space.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for inspecting materials such as cylindrical and tubular members are disclosed. One apparatus includes a frame that supports a magnetic coil and a detector assembly, the detector assembly having one or more magnetic detectors adapted to be spaced a first distance from the material being inspected by one or more substantially frictionless members.

Abstract: Determination of at least one of physical, chemical and biological properties and parameters within an area of examination of an object of examination by introducing magnetic particles in at least a portion of the area of examination, generating a magnetic field with a spatial distribution of the magnetic field strength such that the area of examination includes a first sub-area with lower magnetic field strength and a second sub-area with a higher magnetic field strength, changing the spatial location of both sub-areas in the area of examination so that the magnetization of the particles changes locally, acquiring signals that depend on the magnetization in the area of examination influenced by the changing of the spatial location of both sub-areas, and evaluating the signals to obtain information about the anisotropy of the magnetic particles in the area of examination.

Abstract: The invention relates to an integrated measurement system to detect a quantity of magnetic particles in a sample. The measurement system includes a substrate. An electromagnetic (EM) structure disposed on the surface of the substrate is configured to receive a sample including the magnetic particles in proximity thereof. The integrated measurement system also includes an electrical current generator disposed on the surface of the substrate which is electro-magnetically coupled to the EM structure. The electrical current generator is configured to cause an electrical current to flow in the EM structure. The integrated measurement system also includes an effective inductance sensor disposed on the surface of the substrate which is configured to measure a selected one of an effective inductance and a change in effective inductance. The invention also relates to a method to determine the number of and/or the locations of the magnetic particles in a sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for evaluating the SOI wafer in a method for evaluating an SOI wafer in which a sheet resistance of a buried diffusion layer of an SOI wafer that has at least an SOI layer on an insulator layer and has a buried diffusion layer whose impurity concentration is higher than other region of the SOI layer in an interface area with the insulator layer of the SOI layer is evaluated, the method including the steps of measuring a sheet resistance of the whole SOI layer or the whole SOI wafer, and estimating the sheet resistance of the buried diffusion layer by assuming respective layers that compose the SOI wafer to be resistors connected in parallel and converting the measured result of the sheet resistance measurement. As a result of this, there is provided a method for evaluating the SOI wafer that can directly measure the SOI wafer itself to be the product to thereby evaluate the sheet resistance of the buried diffusion layer thereof, without fabricating a monitor wafer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic sensor device a first magnetic field generating means (21a, 21b) for attracting magnetic or magnetizable objects (22), e.g. magnetic particles, to a sensor surface (23) and a second magnetic field generating means (25) for, in combination with the first magnetic field, repelling magnetic or magnetizable objects (22), e.g. magnetic particles, from the sensor surface (23). The magnetic fields generated by the first and second magnetic field generating means have substantially anti-parallel directions. The present invention furthermore provides a method for attracting and repelling magnetic or magnetizable objects (22), e.g. magnetic particles, to and from a sensor surface (23).

Abstract: A locating device, in particular a hand-held locating device, for detecting objects enclosed in a medium, including an output unit for displaying at least one output variable correlated with a measuring signal of at least one sensor of the locating device, the output unit having a first dynamic range for displaying the output variable correlated with the measuring signal. At least one further dynamic range having a changed sensitivity compared to the first dynamic range is displayable via the display unit.

Abstract: This invention relates to microfluidic apparatus for reading, writing and sorting magnetic tags attached to chemical and biological molecules and other entities. We describe apparatus for separating chemical or biological molecules or moieties each individually attached to a MBM tag miniature multi-bit magnetic tag capable of adopting a plurality of remanent magnetic configurations corresponding to binary information, the apparatus comprising: at least one input for said tagged molecules or moieties; at least two outputs for said tagged molecules or moieties; a microfluidic flow channel incorporating: magnetic readers to read said binary information; magnetic writers to write said binary information; and a switch to direct said tagged molecules or moieties to a selected said output responsive to said binary information. The invention also relates to planar multibit magnetic tags suitable for use with such apparatus.

Abstract: A real time electronic metal detector including a magnetic transmitter (1) and a receiver (3), wherein the receiver includes approximate sine-wave weighted synchronous demodulation and a switched voltage signal is applied to the magnetic transmitter and the said receiver approximate sine-wave weighted synchronous demodulation is selected to receive synchronously with the switched voltage signal, such that the switched voltage signal and the receiver approximate sine-wave weighted synchronous demodulation may be altered by means of operator selection.

Abstract: A probe is pulled along a cooling slot of a turbine wheel to detect defects along the slot surfaces. The cooling slot extends radially inwardly of the bases of both the dovetails and dovetail slots. A housing assembly is releasably coupled to the rim of the turbine wheel and a motor draws the probe along the cooling slot at constant speed. A guide and brushes on the probe serve to bias the probe radially outwardly against the surfaces to be inspected as the probe is drawn along the cooling slot.

Abstract: A test device for testing of tubular specimens has a plurality of individual, radially movable, finger-shaped test probes which are placed from all sides on the outside of the specimen to be tested. In this way, the test specimen is surrounded by test probes and can be pushed under them. Each test probe has a first test coil with a surface which faces essentially parallel to the lengthwise axis of the specimen and a second test coil which is oriented essentially perpendicular to the lengthwise axis of the specimen. The test probes can be elastically deflectable, pivotably movable, or movable by a screw mechanism.

Abstract: The system (10) and the method are used for forecasting the electrical conductivity of an anode (12) for aluminum production before the anode (12) is baked. In the system (10), at least one receiving coil (20,22) is coupled to an electromagnetic field emitting unit (14,18). A sensing device (30) is connected to the receiving coil (20,22), the sensing device (30) outputting a signal indicative of a variation of the electromagnetic field received by the receiving coil (20,22) as the crude anode (12), or a portion thereof, passes inside the receiving coil (20,22). A value indicative of the electrical conductivity of the anode (12) is then calculated using the signal from the sensing device (30) and signals previously obtained using reference anodes (12). This way, the electrical conductivity of the anodes (12) can be forecasted before the crude anodes (12) are baked.

Abstract: A magnetic field position sensing device for sensing the position, on a front surface of a wall, of a magnet of known magnetic field intensity secured to a rear surface of the wall. The sensing device has a magnetic field transducer which produces signals proportional to the strength of the magnetic field detected. These signals are treated in a microcontroller and compared to a reference signal value representative of the magnetic field intensity of the magnet, when not obstructed, whereby to generate signals to a display device which displays a numerical value indicative of the thickness of the wall. Audible/visual signaling devices are also provided whereby to direct the movement of the sensing device by a user person to locate same on the front surface of the wall substantially adjacent the magnet and this is accomplished by displacing the sensing device in a diminishing spiral path.

Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetic sensor device comprising an excitation wire for the generation of an alternating magnetic excitation field (Bi) and a GMR sensor (12) for sensing reaction fields (B2) generated by magnetized particles (2) in reaction to the excitation fields. Moreover, it comprises a compensator (15) for the generation of a magnetic compensation field (B3) that adaptively cancels predetermined spectral components of all magnetic fields (B2, B3) which lie in the sensitive direction of the magnetic sensor element (12). Measurements of the GMR sensor (12) are thus made robust against gain variations of the sensor.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for re-enabling transport by means of a magnetic field gradient transport mechanism of magnetic beads comprising a ligand in a solution on top of a surface comprising a receptor bound with said ligand, comprising the step of changing the properties of said solution such that dissociation occurs between said ligand and said receptor, and such that a sufficient repulsive interaction is created between said surface and said bead to allow transport of said bead.

Abstract: Provided is an object detecting device, which can detect the shape of or the distance from an object made of an electrically conductive or magnetic material, and which can detect the position indicated by an object made of an electrically-non-conductive/non-magnetic material, such as a finger. The object detecting device detects the shape of or the distance from an object to be measured, which is placed on a detection surface and made of an electrically conductive or magnetic material, by using an electromagnetic induction. The object detecting device includes a first loop wire group of a plurality of first loop wires (1) arranged in parallel on the same plane, a second loop wire group of a plurality of second loop wires (2) arranged in parallel on the same plane, and a spacer (3) for keeping the distance between them at a constant. The plurality of the second loop wires (2) are individually arranged in a direction perpendicular to the plurality of the first loop wires (1).

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor assembly has at least one magnetic field sensor integrated into a semiconductor chip and has at least one magnetic field source. The semiconductor chip and the at least one magnetic field source are arranged in an encapsulation material in a predetermined position relative to each other in such a way that a magnetic field generated by the magnetic field source is detectable with the aid of at least one magnetic field sensor. The magnetic field source is arranged in the semiconductor chip and/or in the plane of extension of the semiconductor chip laterally adjacent to said chip.

Abstract: In a method for determining geometrical characteristics (d) of an anomaly (12) which changes the electrical conductivity in the region near the surface of an electrically conducting, in particular a metallic test object (10), a considerable simplification is achieved in that, in the region of the anomaly (12) in the test object (10), eddy currents (13, 14) of different frequencies are excited, and the magnetic field (By,0), which is produced by the excited eddy currents, is scanned in the vicinity of the anomaly (12) and the geometric characteristics of the anomaly are exclusively deduced from the distribution of the magnetic field (By,0).

Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetic sensor device (10) comprising magnetic field generators (11, 13) for generating a magnetic excitation field (B) in an investigation region and a magnetic sensor element (12) for measuring magnetic reactions fields (B?) generated by magnetized particles (2) that are bound to binding sites (3) in the investigation region. Both the magnetic field generators (11, 13) and the magnetic sensor element (12) are driven with electrical power, wherein the ratio of the power that is dissipated in said components is kept in a predetermined interval. The magnetic field generators may preferably be realized by excitation wires (11, 13) and the sensor element (12) by a magneto-resistive element, for example a GMR element. In this case, it is preferred that about equal amounts of power are dissipated in the excitation wires (11, 13) and the GMR element (12).

Abstract: A probe for a magnetic remanence measurement method, in particular for detecting foreign material deposits and inclusions in hollow spaces, the hollow spaces being formed in a non-ferromagnetic material and the foreign material deposits and inclusions being made of a ferromagnetic material, wherein the probe includes at least one magnetic field sensor, at least one first and one second magnet, the magnets being configured before the at least one magnetic field sensor in a direction of introduction into the hollow space, and being situated relative to one another in such a way that their pole axes run non-parallel to one another.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the nondestructive testing of a component, in which corrosion regions close to the surface, composed of oxidized carbides or sulfided base material close to the surface, are determined by means of an eddy current measurement. This allows the blades or vanes to be ground down and/or separated out in particular prior to a complex process of cleaning and coating the gas turbine blade or vane.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, the present technique provides a testing apparatus for testing material integrity in an object. The testing apparatus includes an electrical conductor and a sensing device. In the exemplary testing device, the electrical conductor extends in a generally linear direction and is configured to route current in a direction generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of the object being tested. Routing of current through the electrical conductor creates remote field eddy current effect, which, in turn, affects a magnetic field around the test object. The testing apparatus also includes a sensing device located at a distance from the electrical conductor and configured to detect magnetic fields generated in response to current routed through the electrical conductor.

Abstract: A time-varying signal is applied to at least one coil in magnetic communication with at least a portion of a vehicle susceptible to deformation responsive to a crash. A sense resistor in series with the at least one coil provides for detecting a current therethrough responsive to a voltage thereacross. The current is responsive to a magnetic condition affecting the magnetic field generated by the at least one coil, responsive to the reluctance of a magnetic circuit with which the at least one coil is in magnetic communication, and responsive to associated eddy currents in proximal conductive elements, responsive to the magnetic field generated by the at least one coil.

Abstract: A sensor for sensing a parameter such as position, comprises: (i) an excitation winding for example coils (7, 9) in quadrature; (ii) a signal generator (41, 42, 43) operable to generate an excitation signals and arranged to apply the generated excitation signal to the excitation winding; (iii) a sense coil (11) that can be electromagnetically coupled to the excitation winding such that, in response to the excitation signal being applied to the excitation winding by the signal generator, a periodic electric signal is generated in the sense coil that is indicative of the value of the parameter to be measured by the sensor; and (iv) a signal processor (108) operable to process the periodic electric signal generated in the sensor winding to determine a value representative of the parameter being measured.

Abstract: The present invention nondestructively analyzes the position or corrosion state of a magnetic material present in the interior of a non-magnetic material structure. The magnetic material is magnetized from the outside of the structure, and magnetic flux density of the thus-magnetized magnetic material is measured at the outside of the structure, to thereby specify the position of the magnetic material or to analyze the corrosion state of the magnetic material. The magnetic material is magnetized in two stages. After the position of the magnetic material magnetized through first-stage magnetization is specified through measurement of magnetic flux density of the magnetic material, the magnetic material is demagnetized through application of an alternating magnetic field.

Abstract: A first sensor element outputs a first output signal in correspondence to a direction of the magnetic flux lines acting from the outside. A second sensor element outputs a second output signal associated with the first output signal in correspondence to a direction of the magnetic flux lines acting from the outside. A first conversion processing section converts the first output signal output from the first sensor element and the second output signal output from the second sensor element into the second physical quantity. A second conversion processing section converts the first output signal output from the first sensor element and the second output signal output from the second sensor element into a signal representing the rotation angle of the motor.

Abstract: A current measurement system includes a magnetic core having an inside area through which a conductor carrying current to be measured extends. A measurement winding is wound on the magnetic core. A voltage source couples to the measurement winding to generate current through the measurement winding. A gap of low permeability material is disposed in the magnetic core. A sensing device is positioned in the gap, wherein the sensing device generates a control signal having one of a first state and a second state based on a strength and a direction of a magnetic field in the gap.

Abstract: A human-portable utility locator system for locating and tracing a buried utility line characterized by an electromagnetic field emission. The locator may include a horizontal spaced sensor pair for detecting the horizontal field asymmetry of the emitted field in one or more independent frequency bands, which is employed to assist in determining an accurate “virtual depth” measurement for producing detection events. An event detector may be disposed to detect events corresponding to extremum in the B-field gradient with respect to time and a user interface (UI) coupled to the event detector signals the detected event to a user. In a preferred embodiment, one pair of spaced-apart 3D magnetic sensor arrays is disposed substantially orthogonal to another intermediate spaced-apart pair of sensors.

Abstract: A magnet is contained in a display housing and is supported by a slidable operating member. A control housing contains a magnetoresistance effect element. Slidable shifting of the operating member causes an external magnetic field in a positive (+) direction and an external magnetic field in a negative (?) direction to enter the magnetoresistance effect element from the magnet at different timings, thereby changing the electric resistance of the magnetoresistance effect element. Accordingly, when the operating member is slidably shifted, a switching operation between predetermined modes is performed on the basis of a change in the resistance of the magnetoresistance effect element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of detecting surface defects on a continuously-cast crude metallic product, such as a steel slab (4). According to the invention, a sensor (10) is used to detect surface defects by means of eddy currents, said sensor consisting of a matrix comprising at least two rows (22, 24) of at least three adjoining measuring cells (21) which can be controlled by a multiplexing control unit (12). Moreover, each cell can generate eddy currents at the surface of the slab and, alternately, detect eddy currents in said surface. The inventive method comprises a step consisting in controlling a first transmitting cell and a second receiving cell from the same row, but which are separated from one another by at least one inactive cell.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for nondestructive inspection of interwoven wire fabric components. The apparatus comprises a probe, a power source, and a display system. The probe is capable of creating a magnetic field for a plurality of wires in an interwoven wire fabric component such that disturbances of the magnetic field caused by the plurality of wires can be detected. The power is a source connected to the probe and is capable of sending an alternating current through the probe to generate the magnetic field for the wire. The display system is connected to the probe and is capable of displaying results from detecting the magnetic field and disturbances of the magnetic field.

Abstract: The present invention allows a target substance to be detected easily without applying an external magnetic field to a magnetic marker. The present invention provides a target substance detection kit including: a target substance detection board which contains a magnetic sensor and a first target substance capture molecule; and a magnetic marker which contains a magnetic structure and a second target substance capture molecule, wherein the first target substance capture molecule exists on a surface of the target substance detection board, and the magnetic structure generates a magnetic stray field under polarized light.

Abstract: An electronic metal detector having transmit electronics includes switching electronics arranged and adapted to generate a transmit signal. The transmit electronics includes at least two power sources, and is connected to a transmit coil arranged and adapted to transmit an alternating magnetic field. The switching electronics are adapted and arranged to switch a first voltage of one power source to the transmit coil for at least a first period and also a third period, and to switch a second voltage of the other power source to the transmit coil for at least a second period. Receive electronics are arranged to receive and process a receive magnetic field during at least some of the second period and fourth period to produce an indicator output, at least indicating the presence and a characteristic of some metal targets under the influence of the magnetic field.

Abstract: A method for locating a device, which produces a field, with a probe assembly affected by the field. The method may involve: placing a device on a first side of a work piece; producing a field with the device through the work piece; using a robot to hold and to place a probe assembly adjacent a second side of the work piece; providing information from the probe assembly to the robot that is used by the robot to move the probe assembly to substantially determine a position of the device; determining a location of a center field axis of the field with the probe assembly; and providing a physical confirmation of the center field axis to a user.

Abstract: Sensor assemblies and methods are described that facilitate the use of a long-range torsional guided-wave inspection system for inspecting pipes, tubes, or other longitudinal cylindrical structures, with a partial excitation and detection around the pipe circumference. The sensor assemblies comprise a plate-type magnetostrictive sensor probe positioned beneath a compressible/expandable bladder and an inverted U-shaped frame that retain and position the sensor probe against the external wall of the pipe under inspection. Preferably, a magnetostrictive strip is positioned in direct contact with the pipe wall over which the plate magnetostrictive sensor probe is positioned. The probe is preferably curved to match the curvature of the external surface of the pipe. A pad may be positioned between the probe and the magnetostrictive strip to improve compliance with irregular pipe surfaces.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor device is disclosed for the detection or determination of a magnetic field, such as for example, but not limited to, the presence of magnetic particles (15). In particular it relates to an integrated or on-chip magnetic sensor element (11) for the detection of magnetic nano-particles functioning as a label to biological molecules. The device of the present invention offers reduced cross-talk between the magnetic sensor element (11) and a magnetic field generator (12) by compensating capacitive and/or magnetic coupling for instance by using an electrostatic shield and/or modulation and demodulation techniques. The device may be used for magnetic detection of binding of biological molecules on a micro-array or biochip.

Abstract: Methods are described for assessing material condition. These methods include the use of multiple source fields for interrogating and loading of a multicomponent test material. Source fields include electric, magnetic, thermal, and acoustic fields. The loading field preferentially changes the material properties of a component of the test material, which allows the properties of the component materials to be separated. Methods are also described for monitoring changes in material state using separate drive and sense electrodes with some of the electrodes positioned on a hidden or even embedded material surface. Statistical characterization of the material condition is performed with sensor arrays that provide multiple responses for the material condition during loading. The responses can be combined into a statistical population that permits tracking with respect to loading history.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for analyzing the composition of the contents of a receiver comprising: means (40) for emitting/receiving an electromagnetic field at a variable frequency over a determined frequency range, means (22) for supporting a container (R), the contents of which should be analyzed, adapted in order to provide relative accurate positioning between the emitting/receiving means (40) and the container (R), means (50) capable of measuring the complex impedance of the emitting/receiving means influenced by the load formed by the container (R) and its contents, representative of the complex dielectric characteristics of the container and of its contents, and means (50) capable or providing a piece of information related to the measured complex impedance and consequently to the nature of the contents of said container.

Abstract: By subdividing the free layer of a GMR/TMR device into multiple sub-elements that share common top and bottom electrodes, a magnetic detector is produced that is domain stable in the presence of large stray fields, thereby eliminating the need for longitudinal bias magnets. Said detector may be used to measure electric currents without being affected by local temperature fluctuations and/or stray fields.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and arrangement for the contactless determination of conductivity-influencing properties and their spatial distribution over the entire cross section of an electrically conductive substance moving in a primary magnetic field (B). The substance may be a liquid or a solid. A simultaneous measurement of a number of mechanical state parameters of the magnetic system is performed (three-dimensional components of the force and the torque), said parameters being variable by the effect of a secondary field on the magnetic system, the secondary field being produced on the basis of eddy currents induced in the substance by the primary field (B). To determine the spatial distribution of the property that is sought, the primary field is changed in intensity or form a number of times and a measurement of the state parameters is carried out for each change.

Abstract: The present invention aims at providing a magnetic substance detection sensor: which permits a high sensitivity magnetic field detection element to be effectively operative even in the vicinity of a magnet; which permits quantitative detection without depending upon the magnetic characteristic of a medium, e.g., soft magnetic material, etc.; which is compact and permits realization of reduced space; and which has high productivity. In addition, the present invention aims at providing a compact and high performance magnetic substance detecting apparatus.

Abstract: According to at least one embodiment of the invention, at least two excitation fields with frequencies capable of being differently prescribed act on the object in the examination space, with the gradient field approximately vanishing in the examination space. In another embodiment, an arrangement includes a Maxwell coil pair for generating an inhomogeneous magnetic field with a prescribable magnetic field gradient, at least one device for exciting two auxiliary fields with different frequencies and a detection coil for recording the response signal.

Abstract: A memory (33) is provided for storing in advance data of signals supplied from a detector unit (26) when a plurality of metallic foreign matter samples differing in magnitude passes an alternating field, and data representing the magnitude of each foreign matter sample. A setting device (32) causes an indicator 36 to display the magnitude of metal detectable by a determination device (31) on the basis of those data on the foreign matter samples. Further, a contained metal displaying device (34), when the determination device (31) has determined that metallic foreign matter is contained in the object of inspection, displays the magnitude of that metal content on the indicator (36). The user can intuitively grasp the detectable magnitude of metal and the magnitude of the metal contained in the object of inspection.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for quantitatively determining the width of a soft zone area of a partially hardened metallic workpiece, which has at least one hardened and one unhardened area, by means of at least one multifrequency eddy current sensor. A single workpiece being individually is moved relative to the multifrequency eddy current sensor in such a manner that a spatially delimited eddy current field generated by the multifrequency eddy current interacts with the workpiece contactlessly, generates eddy currents therein which, in turn, generate a measuring signal in the multifrequency eddy current sensor, in which the spatially delimited eddy current field has a greatest extension oriented in longitudinal direction to the surface of the workpiece which extension is greater than the maximum extension of the soft zone area in longitudinal direction of the surface of the workpiece.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining a spatial distribution of magnetic particles in an examination zone, in which method a first magnetic field is generated, which forms in the examination zone a first sub-zone having a relatively low magnetic field strength and a second sub-zone having a relatively high magnetic field strength. The position in space of the two sub-zones is then changed by a second magnetic field, whereby the magnetization in the examination zone is changed. Signals dependent on the change in magnetization are acquired and evaluated to extract information concerning the spatial distribution of the magnetic particles. The second magnetic field is generated so that the time derivative of the second magnetic field is substantially identical for each spatial component.

Abstract: The method for detecting stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of pipelines, comprising the steps of: identifying pipeline locations and pipeline conditions that are amenable to inspection by a magnetic flux inline tool and by a TFI tool; performing two inspections on the pipeline, one inspection performed using the magnetic flux inline (MFL) tool and an other inspection performed using the TFI tool; aligning signal features resulting from the two inspections; identifying TFI signals occurring above a specified threshold; identifying MFL signals for a section of pipeline corresponding to the identified TFI signals; for the identified TFI signals, determining whether the MFL signals are below a second threshold level; designating the sections of the pipeline corresponding to identified TFI signals above the threshold and below the second threshold as a potential corrosion feature; identifying TFI signals that exceed a defined metal loss percentage; measuring a width and length of the signal features, and if the widt

Abstract: A detection apparatus for detecting the presence of a sample, the detection apparatus comprising a chamber, ports for introducing a sample within the chamber, an actuation unit for establishing a controllable electromagnetic field in the chamber; and a sensing unit for sensing changes in the electromagnetic field due to the presence of the sample within the chamber. The sensing unit comprises a sensor device comprising a source and a drain embedded in a FET a gate for the FET, in which the gate is formed of a material whose conductivity is related to the electromagnetic field established in a nonconductive medium in contact with the gate.

Abstract: A method to determine deposits in a steam generator having the steps of creating a calibration standard having at least two rings of deposit material, subjecting the calibration standard to an eddy current signal, wherein an amplitude of the signal reflected from the calibration standard is used to obtain a polynomial equation fit of the reflected eddy current signals to actual thickness of the rings, obtaining a steam generator with tubes, initiating an eddy current signal into the tubes of the steam generator, detecting and recording reflections of the eddy current signal initiated into the tubes of the steam generator, and determining a thickness of the deposits in the steam generator from the recorded reflections of the eddy current signal and the polynomial equation.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for inspecting materials such as cylindrical and tubular members are disclosed. One apparatus includes a frame that supports a magnetic coil and a detector assembly, the detector assembly having one or more magnetic detectors adapted to be spaced a first distance from the material being inspected by one or more substantially frictionless members. This abstract allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure. It will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.