Dual-sensitivity eddy current test probe
First Claim
1. A dual sensitivity eddy current test probe for inspecting a tubular member to detect and localize defects in the tubular member, the tubular member being composed of an electrically conducting material, comprising:
- a probe body moving about a surface of the tubular member;
a first test coil assembly detecting and localizing defects within the tubular member;
a first support arrangement supporting the first test coil assembly, the first support arrangement being mounted on the probe body and holding the first test coil assembly at a first predetermined distance from the surface of the tubular member while the probe body moves about the surface of the tubular member;
a second test coil assembly acquiring historical data regarding defects in the tubular member;
a second support arrangement supporting the second test coil assembly, the second support arrangement being mounted on the probe body and holding the second test coil assembly at a second predetermined distance from the surface of the tubular member while the probe body moves about the surface of the tubular member; and
an arrangement eliminating a magnetic coupling interference between the first and second test coil assemblies.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to a dual sensitivity eddy current test probe for inspecting a tubular member made of electrically conducting material in order to detect and localize defects in the tubular member, comprising a probe body for movement about a surface of the tubular member, a first test coil assembly for detecting and localizing defects within the tubular member, a first support for the first test coil assembly, a second test coil assembly for acquiring historical data about defects in the tubular member, a second support for the second test coil assembly, and a magnetic coupling interference eliminating system interposed between the first and second test coil assemblies. The first support is mounted on the probe body for holding the first test coil assembly at a first predetermined distance from the surface of the tubular member while the probe body moves about this surface of the tubular member. In the same manner, the second support is mounted on the probe body for holding the second test coil assembly at a second predetermined distance from the surface of the tubular member while the probe body moves about that surface of the tubular member.
62 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A dual sensitivity eddy current test probe for inspecting a tubular member to detect and localize defects in the tubular member, the tubular member being composed of an electrically conducting material, comprising:
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a probe body moving about a surface of the tubular member;
a first test coil assembly detecting and localizing defects within the tubular member;
a first support arrangement supporting the first test coil assembly, the first support arrangement being mounted on the probe body and holding the first test coil assembly at a first predetermined distance from the surface of the tubular member while the probe body moves about the surface of the tubular member;
a second test coil assembly acquiring historical data regarding defects in the tubular member;
a second support arrangement supporting the second test coil assembly, the second support arrangement being mounted on the probe body and holding the second test coil assembly at a second predetermined distance from the surface of the tubular member while the probe body moves about the surface of the tubular member; and
an arrangement eliminating a magnetic coupling interference between the first and second test coil assemblies.
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2. A dual sensitivity eddy current test probe for inspecting a tubular member to detect and localize defects in the tubular member, the tubular member being composed of an electrically conducting material, comprising:
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a probe body moving about a surface of the tubular member;
a first test coil assembly detecting and localizing defects within the tubular member;
a first support arrangement supporting the first test coil assembly, the first support arrangement being mounted on the probe body and holding the first test coil assembly at a first predetermined distance from the surface of the tubular member while the probe body moves about the surface of the tubular member;
a second test coil assembly acquiring historical data regarding defects in the tubular member;
a second support arrangement supporting the second test coil assembly, the second support arrangement being mounted on the probe body and holding the second test coil assembly at a second predetermined distance from the surface of the tubular member while the probe body moves about the surface of the tubular member; and
a magnetic coupling interference eliminating arrangement being interposed between the first and second test coil assemblies. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for eliminating a magnetic coupling interference in a dual sensitivity eddy current test probe and inspecting a tubular member to detect and localize defects in the tubular member, the tubular member being composed of an electrically conducting material, the method comprising the steps of:
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supplying a first test coil assembly of the test probe with a first signal at a first frequency; and
supplying a second test coil assembly of the test probe with a second signal at a second frequency sufficiently remote from the first frequency to prevent magnetic coupling interference between the first and second test coil assemblies, wherein the test probe further includes a probe body moving about a surface of the tubular member, a first support arrangement supporting the first test coil assembly and a second support arrangement supporting the second test coil assembly, the first test coil assembly being utilized for detecting and localizing defects within the tubular member, the second test coil assembly being utilized for acquiring historical data regarding defects in the tubular member, the first support arrangement being mounted on the probe body and holding the first test coil assembly at a first predetermined distance from the surface of the tubular member while the probe body moves about the surface of the tubular member, the second support arrangement being mounted on the probe body and holding the second test coil assembly at a second predetermined distance from the surface of the tubular member while the probe body moves about the surface of the tubular member. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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15. A method for eliminating a magnetic coupling interference in a dual sensitivity eddy current test probe and inspecting a tubular member to detect and localize defects in the tubular member, the tubular member being composed of an electrically conducting material, comprising the steps of:
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supplying a first signal to a first test coil assembly of the test probe during a first time slot; and
supplying a second signal to a second test coil of the test probe during a second time slot, wherein the test probe further includes a probe body moving about a surface of the tubular member, a first support arrangement and a second support arrangement, the first test coil assembly detecting and localizing defects within the tubular member, the first support being mounted on the probe body and supporting the first test coil assembly at a first predetermined distance from the surface of the tubular member while the probe body moves regarding the surface of the tubular member, the second test coil assembly being utilized for acquiring historical data about defects in the tubular member, the second support being mounted on the probe body and supporting the second test coil assembly at a second predetermined distance from the surface of the tubular member while the probe body moves about the surface of the tubular member.
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Specification