摘要:
Both a system and a method are provided which allows an eddy current probe to accurately determine both the proximity and dimensions of non-conductive structures which are normally invisible to such probes. The system includes a portable target medium that is movable into a known position with respect to the non-conductive structure, and that includes a conductive material that couples strongly with a fluctuating magnetic field, and a movable eddy current probe that emanates a fluctuating magnetic field and which generates a signal indicative of the magnitude of the interaction between the field and the portable target medium from which the distance between the two may be computed. The system may be used to determine the proximity of non-conductive structures such as plastic pipes that have been buried under ground, as well as the dimensions of such non conductive structures.
摘要:
A device and method for guided testing of an object, and in particular, an internal structural component in an object, using non-destructive ultrasonic techniques is provided. A housing containing at least one ultrasonic transducer probe is adapted to be placed directly on the surface of the object to be tested. Eddy current probes are provided in the housing to guide the ultrasonic probe such that the ultrasonic energy will be directed at the appropriate internal structural design component of the object to be inspected. A microcomputer is then used to record the data obtained using ultrasonic signals and the position on the object using the information designed from the eddy current probes.
摘要:
Both a system and a method are provided which allows an eddy current probe to accurately determine both the proximity and dimensions of non-conductive structures which are normally invisible to such probes. The system comprises a portable target medium that is movable into a known position with respect to the non-conductive structure, and that includes a conductive material that couples strongly with a fluctuating magnetic field, and a movable eddy current probe that emanates a fluctuating magnetic field and which generates a signal indicative of the magnitude of the interaction between the field and the portable target medium from which the distance between the two may be computed. The system may be used to determine the proximity of non-conductive structures such as plastic pipes that have been buried under ground, as well as the dimensions of such non-conductive structures. When the system is applied to measure the dimensions of such a structure, the portable target medium assumes a form that is flexibly conformable to one of the walls of the structure and which is placed in abutting relationship thereto. The eddy current probe is then scanned against an opposing wall of the structure, whereby the width of the structure may be computed by measuring the strength of the interaction between the probe and the medium. In addition to measuring the dimensions of non-conductive structures, the system may be used to measure the dimensions of non-magnetic structures when the target medium includes a strongly magnetic material.
摘要:
A diagnostic filter device for monitoring electrically conductive and semiconductive particles entrained by a fluid, composed of:a filter element (4) disposed to receive the fluid and to permit passage of the fluid while retaining particles entrained in the fluid;a component (8) disposed for producing an alternating electromagnetic field which extends across at least one region of the filter element (4); andan eddy current detecting instrument (12) connected to the electromagnetic field producing component (8) for detecting the influence on the field of particles in the filter element region.
摘要:
Both an apparatus and a method for simultaneously inspecting the walls of a tube with both ultrasonic and eddy current probes is disclosed herein. The apparatus generally comprises a cylindrical housing assembly insertable within the tube to be inspected, and a probe carrier rotatably mounted within and helically movable with respect to the housing. The probe carrier holds three ultrasonic probes for transmitting ultrasonic beams which are directly oriented radially, chordally, and axially with resepect to the longitudinal axis of the tube, as well as an eddy current probe for simultaneously inspecting the walls of the tube with electromagnetic lines of flux. The apparatus further includes a helical drive train formed from a lead screw assembly having a motor means, a drive shaft, and a drive sleeve for imparting a helical scanning motion to the probe carrier with respect to the housing. The interior of the drive sleeve is slidably engaged to the shaft which is in turn coupled to the output of the motor, while the outside of the drive sleeve is threadedly engaged to the interior of the housing. The probe carrier is in turn coupled to the drive sleeve. In the method of the invention, the data generated by the three eddy current probes is correlated with the data generated by the eddy current probe for each specific section of the tube, and displayed simultaneously to the system operator. The resulting complementary display of both ultrasonic and eddy current probe information allows the system operator to accurately determine the size, shape and nature of any flaws which may be present in the walls of the tube.
摘要:
Both an apparatus and a method for simultaneously inspecting the walls of a tube with both ultrasonic and eddy current probes is disclosed herein. The apparatus generally comprises a cylindrical housing assembly insertable within the tube to be inspected, and a probe carrier rotatably mounted within and helically movable with respect to the housing. The probe carrier holds three ultrasonic probes for transmitting ultrasonic beams which are directly oriented radially, chordally, an axially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tube, as well as an eddy current probe for simultaneously inspecting the walls of the tube with electromagnetic lines of flux. The apparatus further includes a helical drive train formed from a lead screw assembly having a motor means, a drive shaft, and a drive sleeve for imparting a helical scanning motion to the probe carrier with respect to the housing. The interior of the drive sleeve is slidably engaged to the shaft which is in turn coupled to the output of the motor, while the outside of the drive sleeve is threadedly engaged to the interior of the housing. The probe carrier is in turn coupled to the drive sleeve. In the method of the invention, the data generated by the three eddy current probes is correlated with the data generated by the eddy current probe for each specific section of the tube, and displayed simultaneously to the system operator. The resulting complementary display of both ultrasonic and eddy current probe information allows the system operator to accurately determine the size, shape and nature of any flaws which may be present in the walls of the tube.
摘要:
An improved eddy current probe system and method for simultaneously detecting different types of flaws at different depths within a metallic wall, such as a section of Inconel tubing, is disclosed herein. The system comprises a current generator for generating alternating currents of substantially different frequencies, a probe head including first, second and third concentrically arranged coils in separate communication with the current generator, shielding material disposed between the coils for preventing cross talk between each coil and the pulsating magnetic field of the coils adjacent to it, and a detector circuit which may include an inductive bridge for providing an electrical output representative of the impedance changes in the respective coils. In operation, each of the coils conduct currents having substantially different frequencies, the highest frequency being conducted by the smallest-diametered coil and the lowest frequency being conducted by the largest-diametered coil. The different levels of magnetic field penetration provided by the coils as it is helically moved around the inside surface of a section on Inconel tubing not only allows the probe system to detect diverse kinds of flaws such as cracks, pits, or regions of thinning, but also flaws located at different depths throughout the tube wall. In the method of the invention, a computer is used to adjust the frequencies of the alternating currents conducted through the coils during the scanning operation in order to maximize the impedance changes in each coil, thereby maximizing the resolution of the probe system.
摘要:
Rapid nondestructive testing of a ferromagnetic workpiece for creep damage is carried out by placing an eddy current coil adjacent to the workpiece, passing an alternating current through the coil, measuring the eddy current response as influenced by the workpiece, and comparing the current measurement to a current calibrated to known creep damage for the given ferromagnetic material. Correlations of the eddy current response to creep rate and time to failure are generated from creep rupture tests performed on specimens of the given material subjected to varying conditions of time, temperature and stress. Qualitative tests can also be performed to identify the point of greatest creep damage by passing the eddy current coil over the workpiece to find the location of the lowest eddy current response. Conventional creep damage tests can then be performed at that location if desired.
摘要:
A phased array ultrasonic testing system for examining discontinuities in turbine or generator rotor bores formed within turbine or generator rotors of a turbine or generator rotor assembly. The system includes a phased array ultrasonic transducer structured to be coupled to a surface of the rotor bore at a first location in order to emit an ultrasonic beam toward a second location of the rotor bore which is to be examined. The system further includes a control system with a computer and a controller for programming, emitting, and steering the ultrasonic beam via at least one, two-dimensional phased array transducer, thereby precisely and accurately inspecting the area of interest. Computer control of the beam permits the number of inspection locations and the number of different transducer wedges to be reduced providing for an efficient, timely inspection.
摘要:
A system for determining the cross sectional profile of an object (24) having two opposed surfaces (26,28), includes:an ultrasonic transducer (16) having a reference surface (20) and arranged to emit and receive ultrasonic energy via the reference surface (20);a thickness determining unit (60) connected to the transducer (16) for causing the transducer (16) to emit ultrasonic energy via the reference surface (20) and for detecting reflected ultrasonic energy received by the transducer (16) via the reference surface (20) in order to derive indications of the distance between the reference surface (20) and an ultrasonic energy reflecting surface facing the reference surface (20);a carriage (2) supporting the transducer (16);a guide member (4) defining a linear travel path having a reference point and supporting the carriage (2) for movement along the travel path;a position determining unit (12,44,62) operatively associated with the carriage (2) for deriving an indication of the location of the carriage (2) along the travel path relative to the reference point;elements (32,34) for securing the guide member (4) to the object (24) so that the linear travel path extends along one of the two opposed surfaces (26); anda signal processing device (64) coupled to the thickness determining unit (60) and the position determining unit (12,44,62) for producing representations of the distance between the opposed surfaces (26,28) of the object (24) correlated with the location of the carriage (2) relative to the reference point when the reference surface (20) is in contact with one of the two opposed surfaces (26,28).