# US 10,502,662 B2 · Eddy current array technology for assessing wheels and rims of off road vehicles

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- Number: US 10,502,662 B2
- Document ID: US10502662B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/129,373
- Filed: 2015-03-25
- Published: 2017-06-22
- Granted: 2019-12-10
- Earliest claimed: 2014-03-25
- Assignees: Otr Rim Certificaton, Inc.
- Applicants: Thomas Shumka; Jason Shumka
- Inventors: Thomas Shumka; Jason Shumka
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10502662B2

## CPC

- G01M 17/013: Wheels
- G01N 27/902: {by moving the sensors}
- G01N 27/9086: {Calibrating of recording device}
- G01M: TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)

## Abstract

A method of examining a wheel or rim on site is provided using an eddy current array probe in electronic communication with a computer, the computer having a processor and a memory, the memory to provide instructions to the processor. The method involves standardizing the eddy current array probe with a reference standard, adjusting the eddy current array probe with a lift off screw to provide a suitable distance between the probe and a surface of the wheel or rim, scanning the wheel or rim with an alternating current, sending a data set to the computer, the computer analyzing the data set, and the computer displaying a three-dimensional image of the data set on a user interface. This method is particularly developed for off road vehicles at mining sites or any off road vehicle wheels and rims.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of examining a steel wheel or steel rim on site, the method comprising: selecting a system including an eddy current array probe in electronic communication with a computer, the eddy current array probe including a replaceable, resilient exterior surface overtop a sensor layer, the computer having a processor and a memory, the memory to provide instructions to the processor, the method comprising: standardizing the eddy current array probe with a reference standard; adjusting the eddy current array probe to provide a lift off; scanning the wheel or rim with an alternating current; sending a data set to the computer; the computer analyzing the data set; and the computer displaying a three-dimensional image of the data set on a user interface.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 further comprising the computer archiving the data set.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein the eddy current array probe is a flexible probe.

### Claim 4

The method of 3, wherein the lift off is set at 2 mm to 3 mm, to provide a quantitative measurement or at one of 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 mm for data collection.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, further comprising passing or failing the wheel or rim based on the quantitative measurement.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5, wherein the wheel or rim is inspected for one or more of a surface discontinuity and wear.

### Claim 7 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, wherein the replaceable, resilient exterior surface is a film selected from the group consisting of Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMW), High-density polyethylene (HDPE) and poly vinyl chloride.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein the replaceable, resilient exterior surface is a removable UHMW adhesive-backed flexible plastic film.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein on site is a mine site.