Hybrid wound/etched winding constructs for scanning and monitoring

US7518360B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• JENTEK Sensors, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Neil J. Goldfine · Newton, US
• Darrell E. Schlicker · Watertown, US
• Andrew P. Washabaugh · Chula Vista, US
• Ian C. Shav · Cambridge, US
• Mark Windoloski · Chelmsford, US
• Christopher Root · Somerville, US
• Vladimir A. Zilberstein · Sharon, US
• David C. Grundy · Reading, US
• Vladimir Tsukernik · Dedham, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 1, 2007
• Grant date: Apr 14, 2009
• Expiry date: Oct 10, 2027

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N27/82
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Combined wound and micro-fabricated winding constructs are described for the inspection of materials and the detection and characterization of hidden features or flaws. These constructs can be configured as sensors or sensor arrays that are surface mounted or scanned over conducting and/or magnetizable test materials. The well-defined geometry obtained micro-fabricated windings and from carefully wound coils with known winding positions permits the use of model based inversions of sensed responses into material properties. In a preferred embodiment, the primary winding is a wound coil and the sense elements are etched or printed. The drive or sense windings can also be mounted under fasteners to improve sensitivity to hidden flaws. Ferrites and other means may be used to guide the magnetic flux and enhance the magnetic field in the test material.