Patent · US Expired

Magnetic inspection head suited for contoured or irregular surfaces

US5479099A · kind A · utility

9Cited by
29References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 18, 1993
Grant dateDec 26, 1995
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 18, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01N27/82
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A magnetic inspection head adapted for use with samples having non-planar surfaces. A magnetically permeable core has a pair of poles joined by a magnetically permeable bridge to form a closed magnetic circuit between the pole legs, bridge and the test material. Each pole has magnetically permeable support means terminating in a magnetically permeable deformable surface for engaging the sample. The support means is yieldable such that when the inspection head is placed in contact with the irregular surface of the sample, the deformable surface is deformed to accommodate the shape of the sample with minimal air gaps therebetween. Preferably, the deformable surface is provided by a plurality of pins slidably engaged in a pole structure and urged outwardly for contact with and conformance with a non-planar sample surface.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.