Eddy current array technology for assessing wheels and rims of off road vehicles

• US 10,502,662 B2
• Filed: 03/25/2015
• Issued: 12/10/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: OTR Rim Certification, Inc.
• Original Assignee: OTR Rim Certification, Inc.
• Inventors: Shumka, Thomas, Shumka, Jason
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Vincent Q
• Application Number:
  US15/129,373
• Publication Number:
  US 20170176294A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,721 Days
• Field of Search: 324229, 324240-243
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 17/013 Wheels
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/902 by moving the sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/9086 Calibrating of recording device

Abstract

A method of examining a wheel or rim on site is provided using an eddy current array probe in electronic communication with a computer, the computer having a processor and a memory, the memory to provide instructions to the processor. The method involves standardizing the eddy current array probe with a reference standard, adjusting the eddy current array probe with a lift off screw to provide a suitable distance between the probe and a surface of the wheel or rim, scanning the wheel or rim with an alternating current, sending a data set to the computer, the computer analyzing the data set, and the computer displaying a three-dimensional image of the data set on a user interface. This method is particularly developed for off road vehicles at mining sites or any off road vehicle wheels and rims.

Claims

1. A method of examining a steel wheel or steel rim on site, the method comprising:

selecting a system including an eddy current array probe in electronic communication with a computer, the eddy current array probe including a replaceable, resilient exterior surface overtop a sensor layer, the computer having a processor and a memory, the memory to provide instructions to the processor, the method comprising;

standardizing the eddy current array probe with a reference standard;

adjusting the eddy current array probe to provide a lift off;

scanning the wheel or rim with an alternating current;

sending a data set to the computer;

the computer analyzing the data set; and

the computer displaying a three-dimensional image of the data set on a user interface.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the computer archiving the data set.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the eddy current array probe is a flexible probe.

4. The method of 3, wherein the lift off is set at 2 mm to 3 mm, to provide a quantitative measurement or at one of 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 mm for data collection.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising passing or failing the wheel or rim based on the quantitative measurement.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the wheel or rim is inspected for one or more of a surface discontinuity and wear.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the replaceable, resilient exterior surface is a film selected from the group consisting of Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMW), High-density polyethylene (HDPE) and poly vinyl chloride.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the replaceable, resilient exterior surface is a removable UHMW adhesive-backed flexible plastic film.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein on site is a mine site.