Enhanced wireless eddy current probe for a non-destructive inspection system
First Claim
1. An eddy current, nondestructive inspection system to inspect a test object, comprising:
- a probe unit including a probe transceiver and located in a position to carry out tests of the test object;
an NDI unit including an NDI transceiver and configured to operate the probe unit according to predetermined controlling commands including at least one excitation command via a remote communication path established between the probe transceiver and the NDI transceiver;
the probe unit further comprising;
at least one transducer element operable for inducing an eddy current in the test object according to the excitation command;
a receiver circuit for receiving a signal from the test object in response to the eddy current; and
a microcontroller for executing the controlling command and for transferring data from and to the NDI unit via the probe transceiver; and
,the NDI unit further comprising;
a signal processor configured to process the signal received from the probe unit; and
a user interface.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An enhanced wireless eddy current probe is disclosed which has means to wirelessly couple to a non-destructive inspection (NDI) system situated some distance away from an inspection point on a material under inspection. The disclosed enhanced wireless eddy current probe provides means for executing advanced functions necessary for a complex eddy current inspection operation. These functions include, but are not limited to, storing, loading, and executing a predetermined firing sequence on an array of coil elements, probe balancing, probe calibration, and providing bibliographic information specific to said probe to a wirelessly coupled NDI system.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. An eddy current, nondestructive inspection system to inspect a test object, comprising:
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a probe unit including a probe transceiver and located in a position to carry out tests of the test object; an NDI unit including an NDI transceiver and configured to operate the probe unit according to predetermined controlling commands including at least one excitation command via a remote communication path established between the probe transceiver and the NDI transceiver; the probe unit further comprising; at least one transducer element operable for inducing an eddy current in the test object according to the excitation command; a receiver circuit for receiving a signal from the test object in response to the eddy current; and a microcontroller for executing the controlling command and for transferring data from and to the NDI unit via the probe transceiver; and
,the NDI unit further comprising; a signal processor configured to process the signal received from the probe unit; and a user interface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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12. An eddy current nondestructive inspection probe comprising:
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at least one transducer element operable for inducing an eddy current in a test object according to at least one firing sequence command; a receiver circuit for measuring a signal from the test object in response to the eddy current; a probe transceiver configured for conducting communications remotely with an NDI unit;
wherein the NDI unit including an NDI transceiver, and a microcontroller for executing predetermined controlling commands from and sending the signal to the NDI unit via the probe transceiver and the NDI transceiver, wherein the controlling commands including the at least one firing sequence command for excitation of the eddy current. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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14. An eddy current nondestructive inspection probe comprising:
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at least one transducer element operable for inducing an eddy current in a test object a receiver circuit for measuring a signal from the test object; a probe transceiver configured for conducting communications remotely with an NDI unit; and a microcontroller for executing predetermined controlling commands from and sending the signal to the NDI unit via the probe transceiver wherein the controlling commands including at least a firing sequence command for excitation of the eddy current, wherein the at least one transducer element comprises a plurality of transducer elements. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An eddy current nondestructive inspection probe comprising:
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at least one transducer element operable for inducing an eddy current in a test object; a receiver circuit for measuring a signal from the test object a probe transceiver configured for conducting communications remotely with an NDI unit; and a microcontroller for executing predetermined controlling commands from and sending the signal to the NDI unit via the probe transceiver, wherein the controlling commands including at least a firing sequence command for excitation of the eddy current, wherein the probe further comprises a status indicator for indicating a status of the probe unit.
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21. An eddy current, nondestructive inspection system to inspect a test object, comprising:
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a probe unit including a probe transceiver and located in a position to carry out tests of the test object an NDI unit including an NDI transceiver and configured to operate the probe unit according to predetermined controlling commands including at least one excitation command via a remote communication path established between the probe transceiver and the NDI transceiver; the probe unit further comprising; at least one transducer element operable for inducing an eddy current in the test object according to the excitation command; a receiver circuit for receiving a signal from the test object in response to the eddy current; and a microcontroller for executing the controlling command and for transferring data from and to the NDI unit via the probe transceiver; and
,the NDI unit further comprising; a signal processor configured to process the signal received from the probe unit and a user interface further comprising a monitoring station, configured for communication with one or more of the probe unit and the NDI unit. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification