Rotating concave eddy current probe
US7352176B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 10, 2006 |
| Grant date | Apr 1, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 24, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01R33/12
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A rotating concave eddy current probe for detecting fatigue cracks hidden from view underneath the head of a raised head fastener, such as a buttonhead-type rivet, used to join together structural skins, such as aluminum aircraft skins. The probe has a recessed concave dimple in its bottom surface that closely conforms to the shape of the raised head. The concave dimple holds the probe in good alignment on top of the rivet while the probe is rotated around the rivet's centerline. One or more magnetic coils are rigidly embedded within the probe's cylindrical body, which is made of a non-conducting material. This design overcomes the inspection impediment associated with widely varying conductivity in fastened joints.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.