Material Flaw Testing Patents (Class 324/240)
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Patent number: 7410033Abstract: A device (30) for making electrically conductive contact with at least one tension member in an elevator belt (22) also provides a restraining feature to support loads on the belt. A connector portion (32) is secured to the belt. In one example, the connector portion (32) includes clamping members (40, 42) that are received on opposite sides of the belt. One of the clamping members supports a plurality of electrically conductive connector members (52) that establish electrical contact with selected tension members (24) within the belt (22). A plurality of load transferring members (66) are supported by the other clamping member in one example. A restraining portion (34) is adapted to be secured in a fixed position relative to a selected structure (36) within the elevator system.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2004Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: William A. Veronesi, Richard J. Ericson, Pankaj Kothari, Paul A. Stucky
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Publication number: 20080174307Abstract: A device and methods for using the device, that permit the rapid and accurate inspection of aircraft wing attachment fittings, including those wing to fuselage attachments modified according to a Structural Life Extension Program (SLEP). Such aircraft life extension programs often result in the placement of fitting stack-up components that tend to challenge the ability of standard inspection sensors and techniques to achieve accurate readings. A specially designed, contact compliant, Electric Current Perturbation (ECP) probe is used. The ECP probe positions a receive coil in conjunction with a drive coil (and its ferrite core) in a manner that minimizes steel interferences in the inspection area. The ECP probe works with conventional eddy current instrumentation with an index scanner to allow for flaw location within a particular stack-up layer and/or within the area around the attachment aperture.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2007Publication date: July 24, 2008Inventors: Clinton J. THWING, Gary L. BURKHARDT
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Patent number: 7397238Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2005Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Inventors: William T. Walters, Xiaowen Wu
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Patent number: 7388370Abstract: At least one time-varying signal is applied to a plurality of coil elements in cooperative relationship with and spanning different portions of a vehicle. The coil elements generate an associated plurality of magnetic field components that interact with the vehicle. At least one detection circuit generates a detected signal responsive to signal components from the coil elements so as to provide for detecting a change in a magnetic condition of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2006Date of Patent: June 17, 2008Assignee: Automotive Systems Laboratory Systems, Inc.Inventors: Leonard S. Cech, W. Todd Watson, Hiroshi Aoki, Dana A. Stonebrook
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Publication number: 20080106260Abstract: A system for detecting defects in a string being pulled from the well includes an AC exciter (14) to induce eddy currents in the string, and a plurality of magnetic flux leakage detectors (16) circumferentially spaced about the string, each for detecting magnetic flux leakage indicative of a defect. Magnetic flux leakage signals may be output to computer (32) at the well site, or may be transmitted to another computer (36) remote from the well site. Data may be displayed as a function of depth of the string in the well, and signals may be calibrated to enhance reliability.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2006Publication date: May 8, 2008Inventor: John P. Rogers
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Patent number: 7368907Abstract: An electric current perturbation probe includes at least one driver coil and at least one receiver. The at least one driver coil produces an omni-directional magnetic field. The at least one receiver is decoupled from the omni-directional magnetic field. In one example, the at least one driver coil includes a first driver coil that defines a first effective coil axis which is positioned orthogonally to a second effective coil axis of a second driver coil. The first driver coil is provided with a first electrical excitation signal which is phase shifted by 90 degrees from a second electrical excitation signal used to drive the second driver coil.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2006Date of Patent: May 6, 2008Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: David A. Raulerson, Kevin D. Smith
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Patent number: 7358721Abstract: An eddy current flaw detection sensor is provided which can detect a circumferential crack occurring at the deformed portion or peripheral portion thereof of a heat transfer tube with a high degree of sensitivity. Two excitation coils 1a, 1b cause eddy current B to flow in the axial direction of a tubular test object 31. A detection coil 2 disposed between the excitation coils 1a, 1b detects bypass eddy current D which flows in the circumferential direction of the test object 31 while bypassing a circumferential crack E. For this purpose, the coil axes of the excitation coils 1a, 1b are directed to the radial direction of the cylindrical protection member 3 and the coil axis of the detection coil 2 is directed to the axial direction of the protection member 3.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2007Date of Patent: April 15, 2008Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Soshi Narishige, Akira Nishimizu, Masahiro Koike, Yoshiharu Abe, Yuuichi Narumi, Hirofumi Ouchi
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Patent number: 7355395Abstract: A system for non-destructive non-contact quality inspection of dry electrode units of energy storage includes an eddy current-based inspection system having a conveyor belt, and a hollow dielectric shell. An outer surface of the shell has a plurality of spaced apart measuring transducers. Each of the transducers include a feed-through eddy current probe and at least two strap capacitors spatially linked therewith. In the related method, an electrode unit to be inspected is placed on the conveyor belt and enters and moves through the dielectric shell. The electrode unit is excited using a magnetic field from the eddy current probe as it passes by each of the plurality of transducers, where eddy currents at a plurality of frequencies are induced in the electrode unit. The modulation characteristics of impedance at a plurality of frequencies are measured by the probes, and from the impedance data it is determined whether the electrode unit is defective.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2005Date of Patent: April 8, 2008Assignee: Enerize CorporationInventors: Volodymyr Redko, Volodymyr Khandetskyy, Peter Novak, Elena Shembel, Satoshi Kohara
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Patent number: 7352176Abstract: A rotating concave eddy current probe for detecting fatigue cracks hidden from view underneath the head of a raised head fastener, such as a buttonhead-type rivet, used to join together structural skins, such as aluminum aircraft skins. The probe has a recessed concave dimple in its bottom surface that closely conforms to the shape of the raised head. The concave dimple holds the probe in good alignment on top of the rivet while the probe is rotated around the rivet's centerline. One or more magnetic coils are rigidly embedded within the probe's cylindrical body, which is made of a non-conducting material. This design overcomes the inspection impediment associated with widely varying conductivity in fastened joints.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2006Date of Patent: April 1, 2008Assignee: Sandia CorporationInventors: Dennis P. Roach, Phil Walkington, Kirk A. Rackow, Ed Hohman
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Patent number: 7348771Abstract: Sensor condition verification may be performed on electromagnetic sensors and sensor arrays mounted to a material surface. The sensors typically have a periodic winding or electrode structure that creates a periodic sensing field when driven by an electrical signal. The sensors can be thin and flexible so that they conform to the surface of the test material. Monitoring the conductivity changes of a test material, with changes in temperature, may provide a mechanism for testing the integrity of the sensor. Changes in the conductivity, due to changes in temperature, without significant lift-off changes may verify the calibration of the sensor and that the sensor elements themselves are intact.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2006Date of Patent: March 25, 2008Assignee: JENTEK Sensors, Inc.Inventors: Neil J. Goldfine, Darrell E. Schlicker, Karen E. Walrath, Andrew P. Washabaugh, Vladimir A. Zilberstein, Vladimir Tsukemik
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Patent number: 7312608Abstract: Systems and methods for inspecting electrical conductivity in composite materials having conductive structures are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system of inspecting electrical conductivity in an electrical bonding region includes a coil coupled to an alternating current source that is configured to induce a current in a conductive structure within the region. A processor is coupled to the coil that is operable to detect an impedance property value from the coil that results from the current induced in the conductive structure.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2005Date of Patent: December 25, 2007Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Gary E. Georgeson, Joseph L. Hafenrichter, Everett A. Westerman
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Patent number: 7301335Abstract: An RFEC excitation unit and sensor apparatus and method that facilitate detection of cracks or other anomalies within or under a surface and immediately next to an expected structure (such as a rivet) that would otherwise cause a signal change preventing detection of the cracks. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes actuators and control that move the apparatus and analyze sensed RFEC signals to determine the location of the rivet, and then to rotate (mechanically or electronically) the sensed signal and/or excitation signal to maintain a constant relationship to the edge of the rivet in order that signals from the rivet edge are suppressed and signals from the cracks are detected. In some embodiments, the excitation unit is maintained at the center of the rivet surface, and the sensor is moved around the rivet in a circle centered on the rivet.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2005Date of Patent: November 27, 2007Assignee: Innovative Materials Testing Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Yushi Sun, Tianhe Ouyang
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Patent number: 7295004Abstract: An eddy current probe includes a plurality of deformable substrates each having a pair of coils wound coaxially thereabout in spaced relation and a housing supporting said plurality of substrates adjacent to each other with each substrate compressed in a direction laterally to the axis of the pair of coils wound thereabout. Desirably, the axis of each pair of coils is positioned spaced from a longitudinal axis of the housing and parallel to a tangent to an exterior surface of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2006Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Inventor: Gary Kroner
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Patent number: 7295003Abstract: Techniques for detecting defects in the proximity of a hole of a laminate structure include inserting a generally cylindrical body portion into a hole such that a first coil of wire will reside in a plane substantially parallel to a first electrically conductive layer of the laminate material. A magnetic field produced by the first coil of wire will produce eddy-currents in the conductive layer in the plane of the first conductive layer, but damaged laminate materials will fail to produce similar eddy-currents. As the differences in eddy-currents between damages and undamaged laminate layers can be measured, damage to such laminate materials can be determined.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2004Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Clyde T. Uyehara, James C. Kennedy, Carl B. Gifford
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Patent number: 7292029Abstract: A method for detecting substructure includes the steps of: nondestructively scanning an assembly using a substructure scanning system including a precision motion carriage and a nondestructive scanning sensor, positioning the assembly under the substructure scanning system, positioning the scanning sensor on the outer skin, moving the scanning sensor over the outer skin with the precision motion carriage, locating the substructure through the outer skin, and controlling an assembly process using the location of the substructure. By using the method of the present invention substructure features may be located through an outer skin with sufficient accuracy to control assembly operations and to meet engineering tolerances. The method for precisely detecting substructure using precision eddy current scanning may be used for, but is not limited to, the location of substructure features, such as edges of flanges, machined steps, or tooling holes, covered by outer mold line skins of an aircraft airframe.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2004Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Edward E. Feikert, Nancy Wood, Eugene A. Myers
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Patent number: 7268541Abstract: A flexible elongate structure, such as a flexible riser (10), comprising at least one layer (20) of steel wires near the surface which extend at least partly along the length of the structure, can be monitored by inducing a small, alternating magnetic field in the steel wires using an electromagnetic coil, and monitoring the magnetic flux density near the surface of the structure so as to asses the stress and hence detect if any wires have broken. By using an array of stress-measuring electromagnetic probes (24) around the structure some spatial resolution can be provided as to the location of any break in the wires.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2004Date of Patent: September 11, 2007Assignee: ESR Technology LimitedInventors: David John Buttle, William Dalzell, Peter John Thayer, Stephen Frank Burch, Geoffrey Charles Eckold
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Patent number: 7256577Abstract: An eddy current detection system configured in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention employs a high frequency rotary eddy current probe that is capable of detecting very shallow surface imperfections, including imperfections originating at scribe lines located near lap joints on an aircraft fuselage. The rotary eddy current probe includes a differential sensing coil arrangement surrounded by a reflection coil, both of which are located within the probe tip housing of the rotary eddy current probe. The differential sensing coil arrangement and the reflection coil are positioned off-axis within the rotary eddy current probe. In addition, the rotary eddy current probe employs a partial electromagnetic shield that does not completely surround the differential sensing coil arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2005Date of Patent: August 14, 2007Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: John R. Linn, Joseph F. Floyd
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Patent number: 7230421Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2005Date of Patent: June 12, 2007Assignee: JENTEK Sensors, Inc.Inventors: Neil J. Goldfine, Darrell E. Schlicker, Karen E. Walrath, Volker Weiss, Andrew P. Washabaugh, Vladimir A. Zilberstein
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Patent number: 7218102Abstract: A apparatus for pipeline integrity monitoring comprising a magnetically permeable backing bar and at least three magnets comprising a relatively medium-strength magnet positioned at one end of the backing bar, a relatively low-strength magnet positioned at the other end of the backing bar, and a relative high-strength magnet positioned between the medium-strength and the low-strength magnet. The at least three magnets are adapted and positioned to induce a plurality of resultant fields within the pipeline wall comprising a first resultant field suitable for detecting a reduced metal-related anomaly and a second resultant field suitable for detecting a mechanically worked-related anomaly. Preferably, the first resultant field has a strength greater than 120 Oersted and the second resultant field has a strength between 40 and 80 Oersted.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2004Date of Patent: May 15, 2007Assignee: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: John B. Nestleroth, Richard J. Davis, III, Ronnie D. Gallliher, George N. Brand
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Patent number: 7215118Abstract: A method and an apparatus for structural diagnosis, which generates torsional waves upon a shaft, beam or pipe having arbitrary cross-sections, such as a circular cross-section, and senses existence or location of the cracks through analyzing reflected waves are disclosed. A magnetostrictive transducer comprises a plurality of ferromagnetic strips attached around a circumference of a member having a arbitrary cross-section with a fixed inclination; a first housing disposed to surround the ferromagnetic strips, the first housing being made of insulating material; and a coil would around the first housing. The magnetostrictive transducer can generate torsional waves upon a member when a current is supplied to the coil, and can measure reflected torsional waves.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2004Date of Patent: May 8, 2007Assignee: Seoul National University Industry FoundationInventors: Chan Il Park, Seung Hyun Cho, Soon Woo Han, Yoon Young Kim
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Patent number: 7176678Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for measuring a thickness of a nonconductive coating disposed over portions of first and second conductive surfaces that intersect at an intersection angle. The apparatus is a thickness measurement gauge having an eddy current sensor. The thickness measurement gauge includes an eddy current sensor and electronic analyzer. The thickness gauge may be provided with a pressure enclosure. A method of calibrating a thickness measurement gauge and a calibration stand are also provided. The calibration stand has third and fourth conductive surfaces intersecting at the intersection angle. The conductivities of the third and fourth surfaces correspond to the conductivities of the first and second surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2005Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Edward G. Sergoyan, Ronald A. Bradley
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Patent number: 7171314Abstract: Systems and methods for analyzing structural test data are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes applying a sequence of loads to a test article, receiving raw test data indicative of the applied loads from at least one sensor operatively associated with the test article, receiving predicted test data indicative of the predicted loads on the test article, filtering out invalid test data, cycle counting to pair loads in the test data, performing a first fatigue damage computation based on the raw test data, performing a second fatigue damage computation based on the predicted test data, and comparing the first and second fatigue damage computations. The filtering, cycle counting, and performing of the first and second fatigue damage computations, and the comparison of the first and second fatigue damage computations, may be performed simultaneously using a spreadsheet program.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2004Date of Patent: January 30, 2007Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Eric S. Meyer, Scott S. Fields, Kenneth L. Knopp, Jeffrey S. Sermersheim
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Patent number: 7161351Abstract: Quasistatic sensor responses may be converted into multiple model parameters to characterize hidden properties of a material. Methods of conversion use databases of responses and, in some cases, databases that include derivatives of the responses, to estimate at least three unknown model parameters, such as the electrical conductivity, magnetic permeability, dielectric permittivity, thermal conductivity, and/or layer thickness. These parameter responses are then used to obtain a quantitative estimate of a property of a hidden feature, such as corrosion loss layer thicknesses, inclusion size and depth, or stress variation. The sensors can be single element sensors or sensor arrays and impose an interrogation electric, magnetic, or thermal field.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2004Date of Patent: January 9, 2007Assignee: Jentek Sensors, Inc.Inventors: Neil J. Goldfine, Vladimir A. Zilberstein, Darrell E. Schlicker, David C. Grundy, Ian C. Shay, Robert J. Lyons, Andrew P. Washabaugh
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Patent number: 7161350Abstract: Material condition monitoring may be performed by electromagnetic sensors and sensor arrays mounted to the material surface. The sensors typically have a periodic winding or electrode structure that creates a periodic sensing field when driven by an electrical signal. The sensors can be thin and flexible so that they conform to the surface of the test material. They can also be mounted such that they do not significantly modify the environmental exposure conditions for the test material, such as by creating stand-off gaps between the sensor and material surface or by perforating the sensor substrate.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2003Date of Patent: January 9, 2007Assignee: Jentek Sensors, Inc.Inventors: Neil J. Goldfine, Darrell E. Schlicker, David C. Clark, Karen E. Walrath, Volker Weiss, William M. Chepolis, Andrew P. Washabaugh, Vladimir A. Zilberstein, Vladimir Tsukernik
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Patent number: 7145329Abstract: The present invention relates to a manually operated working tool such as an internal combustion operated setting tool for driving in fastening elements such as nails, bolts, pins into a magnetizable substrate, having an inductive metal detector assembly (20) with at least one excitation coil arrangement (21) and evaluation means. A means for generating an alternating current for the excitation coil arrangement (21) having at least two consecutive frequencies fn from a start frequency f0 to an end frequency fmax is provided on the inductive metal detector assembly (20).Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2004Date of Patent: December 5, 2006Assignee: Hilti AktiengesellschaftInventor: Bernard Favre-Bulle
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Patent number: 7109702Abstract: A non-destructive inspection includes: magnetizing a target by a first magnetostatic field (S2); shutting off the magnetostatic field (S3); measuring, at measurement points, the transient change of a differential magnetic flux density of a first residual magnetic field of the target (S4); obtaining a first time constant by the main time constant of the transient change at each measurement point (S5); magnetizing the target by a second magnetostatic field (S2); shutting off the second field (S3); measuring, at the measurement points, the transient change of a differential magnetic flux density of a second residual magnetic field of the target (S4); obtaining a second time constant by the main time constant of the transient change for each measurement point (S5); and obtaining information about the internal structure of the target by the distribution differences between the first and the second time constants at the measurement points (S7).Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2002Date of Patent: September 19, 2006Assignees: Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd., Magnegraph Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazunobu Imamoto, Takashi Kimura
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Patent number: 7106055Abstract: Fabrication of samples having material conditions or damage representative of actual components inspected by nondestructive testing involves sensors placed near or mounted on the material surface, such as flexible eddy current sensors or sensor arrays, to monitor the material condition while the sample is being processed. These sample typically have real cracks in or around holes, on curved surfaces, in and under coatings, and on shot peened or otherwise preconditioned surfaces. Processing, such as mechanical or thermal loading to introduce fatigue damage, is stopped once the material condition reaches a predetermined level.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2004Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Assignee: Jentek Sensors, Inc.Inventors: Neil J. Goldfine, Vladimir A. Zilberstein, David C. Grundy, Volker Weiss, Andrew P. Washabaugh
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Patent number: 7098655Abstract: An eddy-current sensor for nondestructive testing according to the present invention includes a planar exciting coil having a pair of current lines in parallel with each other through which exciting currents flow in opposite directions to each other during the testing, for generating an alternative magnetic field applied to a subject to be nondestructively tested by the exciting currents, and at least one MR element positioned on a central axis between the pair of current lines and on the opposite side to the subject in relation to the exciting coil, for detecting a magnetic field generated newly from the subject by an eddy-current induced by the alternative magnetic field.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2004Date of Patent: August 29, 2006Assignees: Kanazawa University, TDK CorporationInventors: Sotoshi Yamada, Shigeru Shoji
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Patent number: 7084623Abstract: A non-destructive inspection device (X1) includes an exciting pole (10) having a magnetic flux exciting surface (11) for exciting a magnetic flux to form a magnetic field in an inspection target, a recovering pole (30) having a magnetic flux recovering surface (31) for recovering the magnetic flux excited from the magnetic flux exciting surface (11), and a coil array (50) having a plurality of loop coils though which the magnetic flux excited from the magnetic flux exciting surface (11) passes prior to reaching the inspection target, the coil array being offset toward the recovering pole (30) with respect to the magnetic flux exciting surface (11).Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2002Date of Patent: August 1, 2006Assignees: Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd., Magnegraph Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazunobu Imamoto, Takashi Kimura
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Patent number: 7078895Abstract: An eddy-current probe according to the present invention comprises: a substrate having a first surface facing to a subject to be tested and a second surface opposite to said first surface; an exciting coil formed on the second surface, having a pair of current lines in parallel with each other through which exciting currents flow in opposite directions to each other during testing, for generating an alternate magnetic field applied to the subject by the exciting currents; and at least one eddy-current sensor positioned on a central axis between the pair of current lines on the second surface of the substrate, for detecting a magnetic field generated newly from the subject by an eddy-current induced by the alternate magnetic field.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2005Date of Patent: July 18, 2006Assignee: TDK CorporationInventor: Shigeru Shoji
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Patent number: 7071685Abstract: A planar induction sensor for sensing of security features of documents having changing magnetic and (or) conducting properties is of a multilayer printed circuit board design. The sensor comprises a planar current transformer with a spiral-type primary coils and one or several turns of secondary coil in an adjacent layer of the printed circuit board. The secondary coil of the current transformer is connected to an operating coil, which is situated at a sensing edge of the sensor. The operating coil can be formed by external wires or can be incorporated in the circuit board of the current transformer. When a security element, made from the magnetic or conductive material moves past the sensing edge of the sensor, a change in inductance of the induction sensor occurs. In a preferred embodiment, two induction sensors with individual associated electronic circuits were located on opposite sides of validator channel.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2003Date of Patent: July 4, 2006Assignee: CashCode Company Inc.Inventors: Leon Saltsov, Volodymyr Barchuk, Sergiy Androsyuk, Dmitro Baydin, Vitaliy Grzhibovskyy, Yevgeniy Yavorskyy, Gennadiy Gaponyuk
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Patent number: 7068029Abstract: An eddy current inspection probe provides multiple interchangeable configurations for enabling an inspector to reach most or all portions of most or all turbine blades within a combustion turbine by inserting the probe through an inspection port, without disassembling the turbine. The probe shaft contains the electronic signal wire for the inspection tip and a port for a video probe, thereby facilitating use of the video probe and protecting these components. The inspection tip connector at the end of the main shaft is pivotally secured to the shaft, and may be set at any desired angle by using a semirigid or rigid member passing through the shaft, and connected to lever within the handle. Any one of a plurality of probe tips and shaft extensions may be selected to configure the inspection probe to reach a desired location within the turbine.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2005Date of Patent: June 27, 2006Assignee: Siemens Power Generation, Inc.Inventors: Clifford Hatcher, Robert Echols
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Patent number: 7049810Abstract: An apparatus for indicating the wall thickness of a cored welding wire traveling in a given path to determine the percentage of volume of fill. This apparatus comprises a first induction coil surrounding the path; a source of AC current connected across the coil; a second reference coil connected to the AC source where the second reference coil surrounds a fixed section of cored welding wire with a desired wall thickness, and an output device indicating deviation of the wall thickness of the traveling wire from the wall thickness of the fixed section of wire by detecting the inductive reactance of the first coil compared to the second coil.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2003Date of Patent: May 23, 2006Assignee: Lincoln Global, Inc.Inventor: Elliott K. Stava
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Patent number: 7038446Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for inspecting contours formed along a predetermined region of a surface on a workpiece formed of an electrically conductive material using eddy current. A probe includes a longitudinal axis and is moveable along a path of travel to a static testing position stationary with respect to the predetermined region to be inspected on a workpiece. At least two coils are spaced longitudinally from one another and supported by the probe to be electrically excited with a predetermined frequency and amplitude while at the static testing position with the stationary probe. Sensors are provided for measuring the excitation voltage of each coil as eddy currents are induced in the electrically conductive material of the workpiece by the coils supported on the probe stationary at the static testing position with respect to the workpiece.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2003Date of Patent: May 2, 2006Assignee: Quantech, Inc.Inventor: William Keely
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Patent number: 7038445Abstract: A device and method is taught for detection of flaws and localized wall loss in pipes made of ferromagnetic-based material. The device utilizes a magnetic field generator to create a horizontal magnetic field of flux. A pipe is passed through the magnetic field where a magnetic fluctuation detector, for example multiple groups of hall units, identifies fluctuations in the magnetic field.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2002Date of Patent: May 2, 2006Assignee: Scan Systems, Corp.Inventors: William T. Walters, Danny J. Uselton, Robert W. Speiser
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Patent number: 7023205Abstract: An eddy current sensor that can be mounted on the outside of a casing for a turbine or other rotating machinery to measure characteristics of nearby, moving, electrically conductive objects through the casing. Monodirectional and omnidirectional sensors are provided. High-strength uniaxial permanent magnets generate static magnetic fields. A signal voltage is produced on a wound coil in response to a variable magnetic field caused by eddy currents in the conductive object as the conductive object passes through the stationary magnetic field. The present invention sensors are also directed to measuring characteristics of turbine blades through jet engine casings.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2001Date of Patent: April 4, 2006Assignee: General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, Inc.Inventor: Roy S. Krupp
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Patent number: 7019521Abstract: Circuit flaws in microelectronic circuitry present regions of high resistance in which a current distribution deviates from that of a defect-free circuit. The altered current distribution emits a correspondingly altered magnetic field in accordance with Ampere's Law. When compared with the magnetic field of a defect-free circuit, the anomaly in the magnetic field of the defective device is detected and the location of the circuit flaw may be determined therefrom. As the anomaly in the magnetic field is very small in magnitude, a sensitive magnetic microscope is utilized to obtain images of the magnetic fields of a defect-free reference device and a device-under-test. The distance between the magnetic sensor and the devices being scanned is precisely controlled to minimize influences of scanning distance on the difference in measured magnetic field strength. Comparative image analysis reveals the location of the circuit flaw.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2004Date of Patent: March 28, 2006Assignee: Neocera, Inc.Inventors: Antonio Orozco, Elena Talanova, Alfred B. Cawthorne, Lee Knauss, Thirumalai Venkatesan
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Patent number: 7015690Abstract: An omnidirectional eddy current (EC) probe includes at least one EC channel having a first and a second sense coil that are offset in a first (x) and a second (y) direction and overlap in at least one of the directions (x,y). At least one drive coil is configured to generate a probing field for the EC channel in a vicinity of the sense coils. An omnidirectional EC inspection system includes an omnidirectional EC array probe (ECAP) that includes a number of EC channels and drive coils. Each EC channel includes first and second sense coils with opposite polarities. The drive coils have alternating polarities. Electrical connections perform differential sensing for respective EC channels. Corrective drive coils are disposed at respective ends of the EC channels and generate probing fields. An eddy current instrument is connected to the omnidirectional ECAP and receives differential sensing signals from the EC channels.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2004Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Changting Wang, Yuri Alexeyevich Plotnikov, Shridhar Champaknath Nath, William Stewart McKnight, Gigi Olive Gambrell
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Patent number: 7012425Abstract: An eddy-current probe according to the present invention comprises: a substrate having a first surface facing to a subject to be tested and a second surface opposite to said first surface; an exciting coil formed on the second surface, having a pair of current lines in parallel with each other through which exciting currents flow in opposite directions to each other during testing, for generating an alternate magnetic field applied to the subject by the exciting currents; and at least one eddy-current sensor positioned on a central axis between the pair of current lines on the second surface of the substrate, for detecting a magnetic field generated newly from the subject by an eddy-current induced by the alternate magnetic field.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2005Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Assignee: TDK CorporationInventor: Shigeru Shoji
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Patent number: 7002340Abstract: A method for detecting breaks in a prestressed wire, rod or bar in prestressed concrete pressure pipe (PCCP), embedded in concrete and/or mortar is described. A remote field eddy current exciter/transformer coupling probe is traversed axially internally through the PCPP so as to create an energy flow path within and external to the wall of the PCPP and to induce a transformer coupling from the prestressing winding thus generating a signal in a detector spaced from and usually approximately coplanar with the exciter. As the exciter traverses a break in the wire, rod or bar, a small signal change is generated in the detector, nearly regardless but not independent of the radial position of the detector relative to the break.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2003Date of Patent: February 21, 2006Inventor: David L. Atherton
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Patent number: 6995557Abstract: A sensor that characterizes welds in materials. The sensor includes a meandering drive winding with at least three extended portions and at least one sensing element placed between an adjacent pair of extended portions. A time varying electric current is passed through the extended portions to form a magnetic field. The sensor is placed in proximity to the test material and translated over the weld region. An electrical property of the weld region is measured for each sensing element location. The weld quality is determined using a feature of the electrical property measurement and location.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2004Date of Patent: February 7, 2006Assignee: JENTEK Sensors, Inc.Inventors: Neil J. Goldfine, Vladimir A. Zilberstein, Darrell E. Schlicker, David C. Grundy, Ian Shay, Andrew P. Washabaugh
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Patent number: 6992482Abstract: Magnetic field sensor probes are disclosed which comprise primary or drive windings having a plurality of current carrying segments. The relative magnitude and direction of current in each segment are adjusted so that the resulting interrogating magnetic field follows a desired spatial distribution. By changing the current in each segment, more than one spatial distribution for the magnetic field can be imposed within the same sensor footprint. Example envelopes for the current distributions approximate a sinusoid in Cartesian coordinates or a first-order Bessel function in polar coordinates. One or more sensing elements are used to determine the response of a test material to the magnetic field. These sense elements can be configured into linear or circumferential arrays.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2001Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Jentek Sensors, Inc.Inventors: Ian Shay, Neil J. Goldfine, Andrew P. Washabaugh, Darrell E. Schlicker
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Patent number: 6967478Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus and a method for detecting the condition of the material of a pipeline wall. The apparatus includes means for inducing and detecting magnetic flux at a location on the pipeline and, at said location, sensing means detect whether any change in material condition is on or near the external wall of the pipeline. By analysing the two sets of monitored values a change in condition, such as corrosion, can be detected, located and determined to be at or near the external or internal surfaces of the pipeline wall.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2002Date of Patent: November 22, 2005Assignee: Advanced Engineering Solutions, Ltd.Inventors: Malcolm Wayman, Dudley Dickson
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Patent number: 6954065Abstract: An eddy-current probe according to the present invention comprises: a substrate having a first surface facing to a subject to be tested and a second surface opposite to said first surface; an exciting coil formed on the second surface, having a pair of current lines in parallel with each other through which exciting currents flow in opposite directions to each other during testing, for generating an alternate magnetic field applied to the subject by the exciting currents; and at least one eddy-current sensor positioned on a central axis between the pair of current lines on the second surface of the substrate, for detecting a magnetic field generated newly from the subject by an eddy-current induced by the alternate magnetic field.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2004Date of Patent: October 11, 2005Assignee: TDK CorporationInventor: Shigeru Shoji
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Patent number: 6954064Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for measuring a thickness of a nonconductive coating disposed over portions of first and second conductive surfaces that intersect at an intersection angle. The apparatus is a thickness measurement gauge having an eddy current sensor. The thickness measurement gauge includes an eddy current sensor and electronic analyzer. The thickness gauge may be provided with a pressure enclosure. A method of calibrating a thickness measurement gauge and a calibration stand are also provided. The calibration stand has third and fourth conductive surfaces intersecting at the intersection angle. The conductivities of the third and fourth surfaces correspond to the conductivities of the first and second surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2002Date of Patent: October 11, 2005Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Edward G. Sergoyan, Ronald A. Bradley
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Patent number: 6952095Abstract: Inductive sensors measure the near surface properties of conducting and magnetic material. A sensor may have primary windings with parallel extended winding segments to impose a spatially periodic magnetic field in a test material. Those extended portions may be formed by adjacent portions of individual drive coils. Sensing elements provided every other half wavelength may be connected together in series while the sensing elements in adjacent half wavelengths are spatially offset. Certain sensors include circular segments which create a circularly symmetric magnetic field that is periodic in the radial direction. Such sensors are particularly adapted to surround fasteners to detect cracks and can be mounted beneath a fastener head. In another sensor, sensing windings are offset along the length of parallel winding segments to provide material measurements over different locations when the circuit is scanned over the test material.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2000Date of Patent: October 4, 2005Assignee: JENTEK Sensors, Inc.Inventors: Neil J. Goldfine, Darrell E. Schlicker, Andrew P. Washabaugh, Vladimir A. Zilberstein, Vladimir Tsukernik
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Patent number: 6946833Abstract: An improved polar coordinates sensor comprising a pot-core half having a concentric winding window surrounded by a washer-like high conductive Lenz lens. A toroidal core stack concentrically disposed at the base end of the pot-core half, the pot-core half, Lenz lens and the toroidal core stack being disposed coaxially with aligned winding windows. X-y coordinates excitation winding distributions being shuttled through the coaxial aligned windows to encircle the cross-section of pot-core half, Lenz lens and toroidal core stack forming a series circuit. X-y excitation currents being connected to the excitation distributions to induce a hemispherical driving field. The inductive reactance of the series coupled toroidal core stack allows an increased degree of differential redistribution of driving flux in response to probe tilt. A rotating/non-rotating excitation method, of which a source of the x-y signals may include electromechanical resolver type waveforms.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2003Date of Patent: September 20, 2005Inventors: Delmar Leon Logue, Stephen John Logue
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Patent number: 6935160Abstract: The present invention discloses water leakage detecting system for liquid pipe and method thereof. The present invention provides the present status for all liquid pipes by installing more than one liquid pipes, by laying under the ground, to which more than one conducting wires are inserted or fixed, transmitting pulse signal to each conducting wire using pulse transmitter, checking whether each liquid pipe is damaged or not and grasp the damaged points by inspecting the received signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2002Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: Wacon Co., Ltd.Inventors: In Sik Hong, Seung Soo Ha
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Patent number: 6933718Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the direct measurement and quantification of the material volume loss on and beneath a first surface of a substrate and thus provides an accurate depiction of the profile of the substrate. The method of the invention comprises inducing multiple eddy currents in a test substrate to determine volume loss.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2002Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Michael R. Collingwood, Steven G. Keener
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Patent number: RE40166Abstract: A magnetic non-destructive method and an apparatus for measurement of cross sectional area of elongated ferrous objects such as steel wire ropes and for detecting local flaws is disclosed. A section of a wire rope is magnetized by longitudinally spaced magnetic poles. A magnetic field parameter, e.g. magnetic flux density, is measured in, by at least, one pair of points between the poles of magnetizing device (in an inter-pole area) at the object under test surface. The pair of points is formed by two sensors placed in the inter-pole area along a direct line parallel to the rope axis. The rope cross sectional area corresponds to a sum of the sensor pair signals. Local flaws, such as broken wires and pitting corrosion in the rope, is detected by a first differences of signals of the sensor pair.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2003Date of Patent: March 25, 2008Assignee: Intron Plus, Ltd.Inventors: Vasily Vasilievich Sukhorukov, Serguei Borisovich Belitsky