FLEXIBLE EDDY CURRENT PROBE
First Claim
1. A flexible eddy current probe comprising:
- at least one substantially planar eddy current array capable of measuring an electromagnetic condition of a portion of a test object, wherein the at least one eddy current array is disposed on a flexible substrate, and wherein the flexible substrate is conformable to a portion of the test object;
at least one elongated electrical conductor capable of electrically connecting the at least one eddy current array to a test instrument; and
at least one finger or palm strap operable to removably attach the at least one flexible eddy current array to an operator'"'"'s hand.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A flexible eddy current probe and a method of use are provided. A flexible eddy current probe (300) includes at least one substantially planar eddy current array (304) capable of measuring an electromagnetic condition of a portion of a test object (202), wherein the at least one eddy current array (304) is disposed on a flexible substrate (316), and wherein the flexible substrate (316) is conformable to a portion of the test object (202). The flexible eddy current probe includes at least one elongated electrical conductor (312) capable of electrically connecting the at least one eddy current array (304) to a test instrument, and a glove (402) capable of being fitted to an operator'"'"'s hand and capable of carrying the eddy current array (304) and conforming the array in testing communication with the test object (202).
34 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A flexible eddy current probe comprising:
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at least one substantially planar eddy current array capable of measuring an electromagnetic condition of a portion of a test object, wherein the at least one eddy current array is disposed on a flexible substrate, and wherein the flexible substrate is conformable to a portion of the test object; at least one elongated electrical conductor capable of electrically connecting the at least one eddy current array to a test instrument; and at least one finger or palm strap operable to removably attach the at least one flexible eddy current array to an operator'"'"'s hand. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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2. A flexible eddy current probe comprising:
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at least one substantially planar eddy current array capable of measuring an electromagnetic condition of a portion of a test object, wherein the at least one eddy current array is disposed on a flexible substrate, and wherein the flexible substrate is conformable to a portion of the test object; at least one elongated electrical conductor capable of electrically connecting the at least one eddy current array to a test instrument; and a glove capable of being fitted to an operator'"'"'s hand, wherein the glove is capable of carrying the at least one flexible eddy current array and conforming the array in testing communication with the test object. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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15. A method of non-destructive testing, the method comprising:
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providing a flexible eddy current probe having at least one substantially planar eddy current array capable of measuring an electromagnetic condition of a portion of a test object, wherein the at least one eddy current array is disposed on a flexible substrate, and wherein the flexible substrate is conformable to a portion of the test object, at least one elongated electrical conductor capable of electrically connecting the eddy current array to a test instrument; and a glove capable of carrying the at least one flexible eddy current array; placing an operator'"'"'s hand in the glove; positioning the operator'"'"'s gloved hand such that the flexible eddy current probe is in operative contact with the test object; performing a test by applying manual pressure to the flexible eddy current probe so as to conform the eddy current array to a portion of the surface of the test object and inducing an eddy current in the test object; measuring an electromagnetic condition of a portion of the test object utilizing the test instrument by receiving at least one return signal; evaluating the at least one return signal to identify one or more defects in the test object. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification