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Magnetic flux leakage inspection apparatus with surface-responsive sensor mounting

  • US 5,614,825 A
  • Filed: 11/28/1994
  • Issued: 03/25/1997
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/28/1994
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. Magnetic flux leakage inspection apparatus for precision inspection of a magnetizable material for magnetic anomalies, said apparatus including magnetizing means disposed over a surface of said material for inducing magnetic flux in said material for inspection thereof, and a sensor assembly disposed in a predetermined inspection position for detecting magnetic flux leakage from said material indicative of magnetic anomalies in the material, wherein said magnetizing means, said sensor assembly, and said material are disposed for relative movement of said magnetizing means and said sensor assembly in said predetermined inspection position along said surface for inspection of said material, said apparatus being characterized in that said sensor assembly comprises:

  • a sensor block including a plurality of sensors rigidly held therein for detectingsaid magnetic flux leakage,said sensor block being disposed in said inspection position to ride substantially on said surface, andsaid sensor block being mounted for movement perpendicular to said surface in response to variations of said surface encountered in the course of inspection, wherein said sensor block is mounted to undergo said perpendicular movement through a distance of at least twice a characteristic size of said variations, and wherein said block is constrained to tilt at most 0.02 radians during said perpendicular movement;

    whereby said sensor block undergoes perpendicular movement in response to said variations without causing a significant contribution to be mixed in from a magnetic field component parallel to the surface under inspection.

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