Apparatus for inspecting a tube and method of inspecting a tube using the apparatus

An apparatus for inspecting a tube, the apparatus comprising:

• a first probe holder configured to hold a first portion of the tube, the tube having a diameter between 6 mm and 12 mm, the first probe holder including,
• a first holding block,
• a plurality of first holding rollers rotatably connected to an inner surface of the first holding block with respect to the axial direction of the tube, the plurality of first holding rollers configured to support the first portion of the tube, and
• a receiving groove, the receiving groove perpendicular to the axial direction of the tube, the receiving groove including an opening between the inner surface of the first holding block and an outer surface of the first holding block opposite the inner surface;
• a second probe holder configured to hold a second portion of the tube;
• an eddy current sensor on the receiving groove of the first probe holder, the eddy current sensor configured to inspect at least one welding portion of the tube using at least one eddy current, the tube held by the first and second probe holders, the receiving groove being between a pair of first holding rollers among the plurality of the first holding rollers, and the eddy current sensor being exposed to the tube via the opening of the receiving groove;
• and
• a hinge connector connected to the second probe holder and the first probe holder, the hinge connector configured to rotate with respect to an axial direction of the tube.

A method of inspecting a tube, the method comprising:

• arranging the tube between a first probe holder and a second probe holder, the first probe holder and the second probe holder rotatably connected to each other, the first probe holder including,
• a first holding block,
• a plurality of first holding rollers rotatably connected to an inner surface of the first holding block with respect to the axial direction of the tube, and
• a receiving groove, the receiving groove perpendicular to the axial direction of the tube, the receiving groove including an opening between the inner surface of the first holding block and an outer surface of the first holding block opposite the inner surface;
• rotating the second probe holder toward the tube, the rotating the second probe holder causing the second probe holder and the first probe holder to hold the tube;
• and
• inspecting at least one welding portion of the tube using an eddy current sensor, the inspecting including inducing at least one eddy current within the tube using the eddy current sensor, the eddy current sensor on the receiving groove of the first probe holder, the receiving groove being between a pair of first holding rollers among the plurality of the first holding rollers, and the eddy current sensor being exposed to the tube via the opening of the receiving groove.