Abstract: A method for integrating a measurement device for use in measuring a machine component includes providing a coordinate measuring machine (CMM) and combining eddy current (EC) capabilities and CMM capabilities to form an inspection probe. The method further includes installing the inspection probe on the CMM so that the inspection probe measures external boundaries of the machine component with the CMM capabilities and substantially simultaneously measures at least one of internal boundaries, internal defects, surface defects, and material properties of the machine component with the EC capabilities, which are directly linked to actual component dimensional information provided by CMM. The inspection data can be simultaneously linked to and/or displayed with a CAD model to enable a direct comparison between the inspection data and the nominal requirements specified on the CAD model.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting scour. Some embodiments provide systems which include a sensor and a signal generator with a combined density equal to or greater than that of water. Optionally, the sensor can be a magnet, magnetic resonator, or accelerometer. In some embodiments, the sensor is adapted to be placed in regions potentially subject to scour and to sense a scour-related condition. The signal generator generates a wireless signal conveying data regarding the as-sensed scour-related. In some embodiments the sensor is the signal generator while a receiver of the wireless signal can include an antenna, a magnetometer, or an ultrasonic sensor. In some embodiments, the housing is conic and the magnetic object is offset from the center of gravity of the coupled sensor, signal generator and housing.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining magnetic properties of materials comprises a portable probe (1), an equipment trolley (2) holding cryogenics and electronics and connecting cables (3). The probe (1) comprises a drive coil (4) and a correction coil (5), the drive coil (4) being disposed symmetrically with respect to an inner second-order gradiometer sensor coil (8). Electrical connectors in the form of 2-meter long Belden (1192A) microphone cables (3) are used to connect the apparatus on the equipment trolley (2) to the drive coil (4), the correction coil (5) and the sensor coil (8). The drive coil (4) is driven so as to generate a sinusoidally varying magnetic field. The electronics comprise a flux-locked loop (9), a SQUID controller (10), a data acquisition module (11), which captures and processes the signals and a computer (12). A liquid-nitrogen dewar (13) is supported on the equipment trolley (2) and houses a sensitive SQUID detector (14) and a transfer coil (15) made from copper.

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: A sensor array comprising a series connection of parallel GMR sensor stripes provides a sensitive mechanism for detecting the presence of magnetized particles bonded to biological molecules that are affixed to a substrate. The adverse effect of hysteresis on the maintenance of a stable bias point for the magnetic moment of the sensor free layer is eliminated by a combination of biasing the sensor along its longitudinal direction rather than the usual transverse direction and by using the overcoat stress and magnetostriction of magnetic layers to create a compensatory transverse magnetic anisotropy. By making the spaces between the stripes narrower than the dimension of the magnetized particle and by making the width of the stripes equal to the dimension of the particle, the sensitivity of the sensor array is enhanced.

Abstract: An electromagnetic detection system comprising: a transmitter loop for generating a primary magnetic field, and a first pair of spaced apart receiver coils and second pair of spaced apart receiver coils for measuring a secondary magnetic field generated in response to the primary magnetic field. The transmitter loop drives the transmitter to generate the primary magnetic field.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for maintaining normalcy of a sensor with respect to a structure. The apparatus includes a driving member, a driven member, and a sensor. The driving member includes a first engaging element and a second engaging element. The driven member includes a third engaging element and a fourth engaging element. The third engaging element of the driven member is engaged with the first engaging element of the driving member. The fourth engaging element of the driven member is engaged with the second engaging element of the driving member. The sensor is coupled to the driven member, which is rotatably drivable by the driving member. Engagement between the first and third engaging elements facilitates three-dimensional adjustment of the driven member relative to the driving member. Engagement between the second and fourth engaging elements facilitates co-rotation of the driving member and the driven member.

Abstract: A method for determining and evaluating eddy-current displays, in particular cracks, in a test object made from an electrically conductive material is provided. The method uses the following steps, applying an alternating electromagnetic field of a predetermined constant or variable frequency to the test object, detecting the eddy currents induced in the test object along predetermined parallel measuring tracks, providing eddy-current signals each eddy-current signal is assigned to a measuring track, conditioning the eddy-current signals and providing conditioned measured variables, interpreting the conditioned measured variables using a predetermined evaluation algorithm, and providing synthetic crack signals.

Abstract: A method for determining a case depth of a hardened layer in a surface of a metal object includes: (a) placing an eddy current probe at a location adjacent the surface; (b) using the eddy current probe, generating a time-varying eddy current in the object; (c) using the eddy current probe, outputting a measured eddy current and providing a signal representative of the measured eddy current to a computer; (d) using the computer, comparing the time-varying measured eddy current to a correlation of measured eddy currents to known case depths; and (e) determining the case depth at the location of the probe based on the correlation.

Abstract: A sensor package and a method for manufacturing a sensor package are disclosed. An embodiment comprises a sensor and a conductive line, wherein the sensor is arranged proximate to the conductive line. The sensor and the conductive line are isolated and at least partially encapsulated. A soft magnet is arranged in, on and/or around the encapsulation, wherein the soft magnet comprises a composition of an insulating material and a material having soft magnetic properties.

Abstract: A cast piece surface temperature measuring device includes: a magnetic field exciting device which applies an AC magnetic field substantially perpendicular to a surface of a cast piece; a magnetic field detecting device which detects the AC magnetic field to detect a magnetic flux varied in response to a surface temperature of the cast piece; and a surface temperature deriving device which derives the surface temperature of the cast piece based on an induced electromotive force obtained by detecting the AC magnetic field by the magnetic field detecting device and a predetermined relation data.

Abstract: A carburization sensing method according to the present invention includes: a first procedure of attaching a magnetic material to a reference material which has equivalent electromagnetic properties to those of a test material and is not carburized, a second procedure of measuring magnetic strength of each magnetic material and to acquire an electromagnetic test output value for each magnetic material, a third procedure of calculating a correlation between the measured magnetic strength value and the electromagnetic test output value, a fourth procedure of measuring magnetic strengths on a plurality of carburized materials, a fifth procedure of calculating a correlation between a carburized depth and the measured magnetic strength value, a sixth procedure of determining a threshold value Th2 of the measured magnetic strength value corresponding to a threshold value Th1 of the carburized depth to be sensed, a seventh procedure of determining a threshold value Th3 of an electromagnetic test output value corresp

Abstract: A highly flexible real-time metal detector platform which has a detection capability for different targets and applications, where the operator is able to alter synchronous demodulation multiplication functions to select different types or mixtures of different types to be applied to different synchronous demodulators, and also different waveforms of the said synchronous demodulation multiplication functions; examples of the different types being time-domain, square-wave, sine-wave or receive signal weighted synchronous demodulation multiplication functions. The operator can alter the fundamental frequency of the repeating switched rectangular-wave voltage sequence, and an operator may alter the waveform of the repeating switched rectangular-wave voltage sequence and corresponding synchronous demodulation multiplication functions.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an eddy current probe and an eddy current inspection device including the eddy current probe for inspection of surface defect of a rotor wheel including a dovetail coupling part in which a hook is formed. The eddy current probe in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: a main body, a contact part coupled to the main body and having a convex part and a concave part formed thereon corresponding to the hook, and an eddy current sensor being coupled to an end part of the convex part of the contact part. Accordingly, the detectability of a defect and the permeation depth can be enhanced, and the inspection procedures can be simplified.

Abstract: An electromagnetic field sensor assembly for blade tip clearance measurement in a gas turbine engine is disclosed that includes a ceramic sensor body, a multi-layered wire coil wound about a distal end portion of the sensor body for producing an electromagnetic field, a ceramic well enclosing the sensor body and the coil, and a metallic housing surrounding the well and having an open distal end.

Abstract: A magnetic impedance tomography system comprises an excitation system with several excitation coils to generate an excitation magnetic field to induce eddy currents in an examination volume. For example, a solenoid configuration or parallel coils, e.g. in a Helmholtz configuration are employed, Further, a measurement system is provided with several measurement coils to measure the fields generated by the induced eddy currents. The measurement coils are arranged in a volumetric (3D) geometrical arrangement. The individual measurement coils being orientated substantially transverse to the field line of the excitation magnetic field of the excitation coils. A reconstructor receives measurement data from the measurement system and reconstruct an age of an object in the volume of interest from the measurement data.

Abstract: A device for non-destructive testing of an electrically conductive part including: an induction portion, a receiving portion, and a processor. The induction portion includes an inductor dissociated into n layers supplied at different frequencies f1, f2, . . . , fn, wherein the receiving portion includes plural magnetic receivers supplied at different frequencies f1?, f2?, . . . , fn? connected to one another in at least one column, each magnetic receiver being positioned under a layer, the indices n and m being integers >2, and wherein the processor makes it possible to know the magnetic field in each of the magnetic receivers of a column.

Abstract: A metal detector (40) used for identifying contaminants in products (23) introduced into the metal detector by a conveyor. The detector (40) includes coils (1), a search head (2) and an analog to digital converter (3) that generates a reactive signal (13) in response to the presence of a contaminant in the region of the coils. A calculation processor (32) receives the reactive signal (13) along with the value of the conveyor speed (9) to determine a calibration ratio R that is unique to each individual metal detector (40). The optimum frequency F for metal detector operation is equal to the conveyor speed (9) divided by the ratio R. The ratio R simplifies the selection of filter parameters (4, 8) for a speed filter (30) which correlates the conveyor speed (9) with the frequency F so as to deliver an optimized signal to the detection algorithm (10) used to determine the presence of a contaminant based on the signal (13) derived from the coils (1).

Abstract: The invention herein disclosed provides a 2D coil and a method of using the 2D wound EC sensor for reproducing the Eddy Current Testing (ECT) response of a prior art 3D orthogonal sensor. The 3D orthogonal sensor is conventionally wound onto a 3D core, with at least some of the surfaces being un-parallel to the surface be inspected. Using the herein disclosed 2D configuration allows the use of printed circuit board technologies for the manufacturing of these EC sensors. The herein disclosed method and the associated 2D EC sensors are particularly useful for reproducing the EC effect of conventional orthogonal probe arrays.

Abstract: A system for measuring the concentration of magnetic ballast in a moving slurry including a detection conduit surrounded by a set of coaxial detection coils configured to receive the moving slurry, a reference conduit surrounded by a set of coaxial coils, an AC power source for establishing a magnetic field in one of the detection coils and one of the reference coils, and a measurement subsystem for measuring the differential induced voltage between one of the set of coaxial detection coils and one of the set of coaxial reference coils to determine the concentration of the magnetic ballast in the moving slurry.

Abstract: An electrodynamic machine shaft slow roll measurement testing and remediation method that can be performed on a partially machined shaft. Upon completion of slow roll tests on a partially machined shaft the manufacturer may complete machining of shafts that successfully meet the test specification. If a partially machined shaft fails the test specification, the manufacturer at its option may attempt to remediate the shaft, so that it successfully meets slow roll specification upon re-testing. Exemplary remediation steps may include further concentricity machining to reduce mechanical runout or shaft treatment, such as by heating and/or quenching to reduce electrical runout. Partially machined shafts that fail slow roll test specifications (with or without remediation efforts) may be scrapped or otherwise recycled without, completing final machining operations.

Abstract: An eddy current sensor includes: an excitation coil that applies a predetermined alternating-current excitation signal to a measurement target component; and a detection coil that detects a detection signal, generated by eddy current, from the measurement target component to which the alternating-current excitation signal is applied. The excitation coil has a plurality of solenoid coils. The detection coil is arranged at least on one of two sides of the excitation coil in a direction of a central axis of each solenoid coil. Then, the plurality of solenoid coils are arranged in parallel with one another so that winding directions of the adjacent solenoid coils are opposite to each other.

Abstract: Magnetic field current sensing devices, systems and methods are disclosed. In an embodiment, a current sensor includes a semiconductor die; an isolation layer disposed on the semiconductor die; at least one anchor pad disposed on the isolation layer; a current input and a current output galvanically isolated from the semiconductor die; at least one bond wire coupled to the current input and the current output, a longitudinal portion of the at least one bond wire disposed between the current input and the current output being stitched to the at least one anchor pad; and at least one sensor element arranged to sense a magnetic field induced by a current flowing in the at least one bond wire.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the nondestructive testing of pipes made of ferromagnetic steel for flaws by means of stray flux, wherein the pipe is magnetized by a constant field and the discontinuities present in the near-surface region of the outer or inner surface of the pipe cause magnetic stray fluxes, which exit the pipe surface and are detected by probes of a test unit each for longitudinal and/or transversal flaw testing, wherein the association of the detected amplitude signals is performed on the basis of the amplitude height and/or the frequency spectrum with respect to an external or internal flaw via defined flaw thresholds respectively.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a magnet assembly to produce a static magnetic field and a set of high-Tc flux transformers to detect a flux change from an item when the item is subjected to the static magnetic field produced by the magnet assembly and to produce a current based on the flux change. Additionally, the apparatus comprises a set of magnetoresistive sensors to detect a field produced by a current produced in the set of high-Tc flux transformers and a scanning mechanism to produce cyclic relative motion between the apparatus and the item. Furthermore, the apparatus comprises a magnetic shield to shield the magnetoresistive sensors, where the shield is an open ended cylinder made from mu-metal, where mu-metal is a very high magnetic permeability iron-nickel alloy. The apparatus additionally comprises a water interface mechanism to fill a gap between the apparatus and the item with water.

Abstract: A DC/AC inverter substrate includes a voltage abnormality detector circuit. All of a high voltage side detection sensor, a low voltage side detection sensor, and a high-voltage and low-voltage detection sensor in the voltage abnormality detector circuit are disposed without being electrically connected to a secondary side of a transformer or to a connection point. Those detection sensors are not damaged since overvoltage is not applied to the voltage abnormality detector circuit when abnormal discharge occurs because the detection sensors are not electrically connected.

Abstract: A bearing residual life prediction method, a bearing residual life diagnostic apparatus and a bearing diagnostic system can be provided. The bearing diagnostic system 20 includes: an eddy current tester 11 that measures the impedance X of a certain portion of a bearing 24 before and after the use of the bearing; a bearing information transmitter 30 that transmits bearing information s1 containing the impedance X; and a bearing information receiver 31 that receives the information; a diagnostic section 12 that obtains the residual life information s2 of the bearing 24 based on the received impedance X; and a life information transmitter 36 that transmits the residual life information s2; and a life information receiver 40 that receives the information. Hence, the bearing used by the user can be inspected nondestructively, and the residual life of the bearing can be predicted.

Abstract: A metal detector includes means for reducing the induction of eddy currents in conductive elements of a sensor head. The aim of this invention is to remove the effect of small pieces of conductive material, located within or close to the sensor head, being seen as sought targets as the sensor head is moved over magnetic matrix. The means is to surround the conductive material with material with high magnetic permeability and low losses in a time-varying magnetic field, say low-loss ferrite. This will prevent the reflected field from illuminating the conductive material so eddy currents are not generated.

Abstract: A substantially planar eddy-current sensor having durability enhancing pillars in an active region is provided. The pillars are distributed and sized so as to have limited effect on the sensor's performance. When the sensor is mounted on a component such that the sensor experiences forces on a top and bottom surface, the pillars bear the load reducing the load bore by the active elements (e.g., drive winding, sense elements). A sensor with redundant drive windings and/or redundant sense elements is disclosed. The redundant elements may be connected to separate electronics. Another aspect relates to providing a reference transformer for calibration of a sensor. The secondary windings of the reference transformer are connected in series with the sense elements of the sensor to be calibrated. Transimpedance measurements are made when the drive winding of the reference transformer is excited. The measurements are used to correct transimpedance measurements made when the drive winding of the sensor is excited.

Abstract: This invention describes a sample collection method that could release and collect residues of explosives and other chemicals from a surface; the described method is implemented into a compact detection system that can be used as a “wand” for screening chemicals residues on a subject. The wand configuration includes multi-function for sampling and detecting multiple threads. The invention further describes a method of inspecting a subject using an interrogating apparatus in a sweeping motion; the near range closed loop particle sampling arrangement allows effective collection of particle and vapor residues from a targeted surface. The invention also describes a sampling and detecting apparatus for on-the-fly threat detection using compact ion mobility based detectors.

Abstract: An eddy current monitoring system may include an elongated core. One or more coils may be coupled with the elongated core for producing an oscillating magnetic field that may couple with one or more conductive regions on a wafer. The core may be translated relative to the wafer to provide improved resolution while maintaining sufficient signal strength. An eddy current monitoring system may include a DC-coupled marginal oscillator for producing an oscillating magnetic field at a resonant frequency, where the resonant frequency may change as a result of changes to one or more conductive regions. Eddy current monitoring systems may be used to enable real-time profile control.

Abstract: Reference standards or articles having prescribed levels of damage are fabricated by monitoring an electrical property of the article material, mechanically loading the article, and removing the load when a change in electrical properties indicates a prescribed level of damage. The electrical property is measured with an electromagnetic sensor, such as a flexible eddy current sensor, attached to a material surface, which may be between layers of the article material. The damage may be in the form of a fatigue crack or a change in the mechanical stress underneath the sensor. The shape of the article material may be adjusted to concentrate the stress so that the damage initiates under the sensor. Examples adjustments to the article shape include the use of dogbone geometries with thin center sections, reinforcement ribs on the edges of the article, and radius cut-outs in the vicinity of the thin section.

Abstract: An integrated inductor includes a plurality of coils. Each of the plurality of coils is electromagnetically coupled together to form an inductor between a first inductor terminal and a second inductor terminal. At least one of the plurality of coils is disposed in a layer on an integrated structure and at least another of one of the plurality of coils disposed in a layer of the integrated structure. One of the plurality of coils is spaced with respect to another of the plurality of coils to cause a substantially uniform magnetic field strength across a surface of the integrated inductor. An integrated magnetic particle sensor system, an integrated inductor having a section having a different width than another section, an integrated inductor having at least one gradual transition section, and an integrated inductor having at least one floating metal structure are also described.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and an eddy current system for non-contact determination of the resistance between the current lead stripe and the coating during continuous fabrication of chemical power sources such as batteries, supercapacitors, photovoltaic modules and the like. Both the method and the non-destructive test system for practicing the method are described. The method includes placing of an integrated measuring transducer containing two strap-type eddy current probes above the surface of the coating applied to the metallic current lead stripe in the region of the shaft guiding the stripe movement, so that all the points of the operating surface of the transducer being at an equal distance from the stripe surface coating so that the two probes would take measurements on the same area of the coating.

Abstract: Described are methods for monitoring of stresses and other material properties. These methods use measurements of effective electrical properties, such as magnetic permeability and electrical conductivity, to infer the state of the test material, such as the stress, temperature, or overload condition. The sensors, which can be single element sensors or sensor arrays, can be used to periodically inspect selected locations, mounted to the test material, or scanned over the test material to generate two-dimensional images of the material properties. Magnetic field or eddy current based inductive and giant magnetoresistive sensors may be used on magnetizable and/or conducting materials, while capacitive sensors can be used for dielectric materials. Methods are also described for the use of state-sensitive layers to determine the state of materials of interest. These methods allow the weight of articles, such as aircraft, to be determined.

Abstract: An eddy current probe testing apparatus structured to operate concurrently in a driver pick-up mode and said impedance mode is provided. The eddy current probe has two coils. The eddy current probe testing apparatus also includes a signal producing device, an output device, and a switch assembly. The switch assembly is structured to switch how an input signal from the signal producing device is provided to the two coils.

Abstract: The surface length of a metal subject to be inspected is evaluated by detecting an eddy current without using a combination of a scale and visual or liquid penetrant inspection. An exciting coil and a detecting coil are scanned above the subject in a length direction. An eddy current detector measures an output voltage corresponding to scanning positions based on an output from the detecting coil. Based on an output voltage distribution curve indicating a distribution of output voltages corresponding to the scanning positions, position information is extracted corresponding to values which are within a differential voltage range and lower by 12 dB than a maximum value of the output voltages on the left and right sides of the distribution. A distance between the positions included in the extracted information is calculated to evaluate the length of a slit which is a defect present on the subject surface.

Abstract: A method includes generating an electrical signal representing a magnetic field using a magnetic field sensor having alternating layers of magneto-strictive material and piezo-electric material. The method also includes performing up-conversion or down-conversion so that the electrical signal representing the magnetic field has a higher or lower frequency than a frequency of the magnetic field. The up-conversion or down-conversion is performed before the magnetic field is converted into the electrical signal. The up-conversion or down-conversion could be performed by repeatedly sensitizing and desensitizing the magnetic field sensor. This could be done using a permanent magnet and an electromagnet, an electromagnet without a permanent magnet, or a movable permanent magnet. The up-conversion or down-conversion could also be performed by chopping the magnetic field.

Abstract: A magnetism measuring method includes magnetizing a magnetic material with a direct current to a rotational magnetization region, performing an alternate current excitation in a direction having a component orthogonal to a direction of the direct current magnetization, and measuring a component of an alternate current magnetic field generated by an interaction with the magnetic material in a direction orthogonal to the direction of the direct current magnetization.

Abstract: A system and method for locating magnetic material. In one embodiment the system includes a magnetic probe; a power module in electrical communication with the magnetic probe to supply current to the magnetic probe; a sense module in electrical communication with the magnetic probe to receive signals from the magnetic probe; and a computer in electrical communication with the power module and the sense module. The computer generates a waveform that controls the supply of current from the power module and receives a signal from the sense module that indicates the presence of magnetic material. The magnetic probe is constructed from a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion of substantially 10?6/° C. or less and a Young's modulus of substantially 50 GPa or greater. In one embodiment magnetic nanoparticles are injected into a breast and the lymph nodes collecting the particles are detected with the probe and deemed sentinel nodes.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and device for magnetic induction tomography. The device comprises a transmitting coil arrangement for generating a primary magnetic field, the primary magnetic field inducing an eddy current in an object of interest, and a measurement coil arrangement for measuring a secondary magnetic field generated by the eddy current to generate a set of measurement data used for image reconstruction of the object of interest, wherein the transmitting coil arrangement at least comprises a pair of transmitting coils intended for carrying substantially electrical currents flowing in the same direction and positioned symmetrically along a common axis and the measurement coil arrangement at least comprises a pair of measurement coils connected and positioned symmetrically along the axis. In an embodiment, the pair of transmitting coils and the pair of measurement coils are respectively Helmholtz coils.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for inspecting a section of piping are disclosed. In one example embodiment, an apparatus includes first and second excitation coils, a plurality of magnetometers, and a data acquisition system. The first excitation coils are disposed at a first axial location and are energized and the second excitation coils are disposed at a second axial location and are energized at an opposite polarity from the first excitation coil. The plurality of magnetometers are disposed at an axial location between the first and second axial locations and are positioned to detect magnetic fields generated by eddy currents induced in the section of piping by the first and second excitation coils. The data acquisition system is operatively connected to receive output data from the plurality of magnetometers.

Abstract: A method of assembling an eddy current probe for use in nondestructive testing of a sample is described. The method includes positioning at least one substantially planar spiral drive coil within the eddy current probe, such that the drive coil is at least one of adjacent to and at least partially within a flexible material. The method further includes coupling at least one unpackaged solid-state magnetic field sensor to the at least one drive coil.

Abstract: An eddy current sensor is used for detecting a metal film (or conductive film) formed on a surface of a substrate such as a semiconductor wafer. The eddy current sensor includes a sensor coil disposed near a metal film or a conductive film formed on a substrate, and the sensor coil includes a detection coil operable to detect an eddy current produced in the metal film or the conductive film. The detection coil includes a coil formed by winding a wire by a single row and plural layers, the row being defined as a direction perpendicular to the substrate and the layer being defined as a direction parallel to the substrate.

Abstract: Omnidirectional eddy current array probes for detecting flaws in a conductive test object generally includes semi-circular wave shaped continuous drive lines in two rows disposed in two layers that are multiplexed for omnidirectional inspection without blind spots. The semicircular wave shaped continuous drive lines are superimposed to form pseudo-circular drive lines, wherein each row of drive lines is offset laterally by a distance preferably equal to a quarter wavelength of the wave pattern. For only parallel and perpendicular flaws, the drive multiplexing is not needed and each row will have only one set of drive lines. In alternate embodiments, there can be square-shaped, oval shaped, rectangular-shaped or other shaped wave patterns as well. Also disclosed are methods for sensing surface flaws and compensating their response.

Abstract: A facility for generating a detection signal upon the presence of metallic-conducting parts in a conveyed flow that is at least largely nonconductive, in which an alternating electromagnetic field is established in a section of the conveyed flow to be monitored by means of an alternating current generator via a transmitter coil system, whereby a variation of the signal of said field that is triggered by passage of a part is detected by a receiver coil system and serves, in conjunction with a downstream digital-type analytical circuit, for derivation of a detection signal which then triggers an information and/or elimination of said part. The receiver coil system has an analog-to-digital converter assigned to it and the transmission of the received signal to the analytical circuit proceeds in digital form.

Abstract: A locating device, in particular a hand-held locating device, for detecting objects enclosed in a medium, having a housing and at least one sensor system provided in a housing, as well as an opening penetrating the device. The opening in the measuring device and penetrating the device is illuminable by at least one light source provided in the measuring device.

Abstract: A vibration and condition monitoring system and the parts thereof with a true digital signal processing based design, with very limited analog based general signal conditioning. Specifically a method of driving and a driver of eddy current probes that have a simple highly accurate analog part and a unit and a method of enabling efficient vibration monitoring in hazardous areas. This is achieved by an eddy current probe oscillator unit having independent control of an amplitude gain and control of an impedance measurement sensitivity, i.e. amplitude gain linearity in relation to probe impedance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the detection of electrically conducting objects with: a first and a second coil, which can produce simultaneously magnetic fields with opposite polarity and a third coil which is arranged in the region of the opposing magnetic fields, and an electronic means, which during and/or after the supply of the first and second coils with a current pulse acquires an induction voltage in the third coil, or which, during the supply of the third coil with a current pulse, acquires an induction voltage in the first and second coils, so that an electrically conducting object produces a detectable signal in the acquired induction voltage when present in the range of one of the magnetic fields, wherein the current pulse comprises a step-shaped rise and/or a step-shaped fall, such as for example in the shape of a rectangular pulse.

Abstract: A remote, noncontact temperature determination method and apparatus is provided, which is operable to determine the temperature of a conducting member forming a part of or in operative thermal communication with an object of interest. The method comprises the steps of first inducing a closed vortex eddy current (28) in a conducting member (16, 38, 44) by subjecting the member (16, 38, 44) to a magnetic field, such that the corresponding eddy current magnitude changes exponentially over time. A characteristic time constant of the exponential current magnitude changes is then determined, and this is used to calculate the temperature of the object. The apparatus (24) includes a field transmitting coil (14) coupled with a waveform generator (12) for inducing the eddy current (28), and a field receiving coil assembly (18) which detects the corresponding magnetic field induced by the eddy current (28).