Eddy current array inspection device for shaped holes
US5903147A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 18, 1997 |
| Grant date | May 11, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 18, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N27/9013
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An eddy current device for inspecting a component, such as a closed surface area of a gas turbine engine or the like, includes an eddy current array circuit having an active face for positioning on a surface portion of the component during an inspection operation and backing on a surface of the eddy current array circuit opposite to the active face. The eddy current array circuit and backing are disposed over the operating face and expandable sides of an extendible pin. The extendible pin has a slot formed therein with interior side edges which narrow toward the operating face of the pin at a predetermined slope. The expanding pin is positioned to cause the angled sides to mate while engaging the interior angled sides of the round or shaped hole to cause the exterior sides of the expandable pin to expand outwardly a greater distance as the pin is pushed deeper into the hole. This causes the eddy current circuit to conform with the shape of the surface to be inspected. The array sensor is so shaped that it can cover the closed surface in as little as one scan.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.