# US 2019/0317048 A1 · Systems and methods to remotely manage non-destructive testing systems > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0317048 A1 - Document ID: US20190317048A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/385,561 - Filed: 2019-04-16 - Published: 2019-10-17 - Earliest claimed: 2018-04-17 - Assignees: Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Applicants: Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Inventors: Sakif B. Ferdous; Wyatt M. Burns; Justin J. Stewart - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190317048A1 ## CPC - G01N 27/82: for investigating the presence of flaws - G01N 27/84: by applying magnetic powder or magnetic ink - G01N 15/0806: {Details, e.g. sample holders, mounting samples for testing} - G01N 15/082: {Investigating permeability by forcing a fluid through a sample} - G01N 27/72: by investigating magnetic variables - G06F 3/0483: Interaction with page-structured environments, e.g. book metaphor - G06F 3/04847: Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials - G09B 19/003: {Repetitive work cycles; Sequence of movements} - G01N 27/90: using eddy currents - 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) - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - G09B: EDUCATIONAL OR DEMONSTRATION APPLIANCES; APPLIANCES FOR TEACHING, OR COMMUNICATING WITH, THE BLIND, DEAF OR MUTE; MODELS; PLANETARIA; GLOBES; MAPS; DIAGRAMS (devices for psychotechnics or for testing reaction times A61B5/16; games, sports, amusements A63; projectors, projector screens G03B) ## Abstract Systems and methods to remotely manage non-destructive testing systems are disclosed. An example NDT system includes: a test process manager configured to: receive a configuration of a magnetic particle test procedure or a penetrant test procedure corresponding to a part type; and store the magnetic particle test procedure or the penetrant test procedure; and a magnetic particle inspection device or penetrant testing device, including: a communications device configured to receive the magnetic particle test procedure or the penetrant test procedure from the test process manager via a communications network; a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor and storing machine readable instructions to: in response to identification of the part type as a part under test, access the magnetic particle test procedure or the penetrant test procedure based on the identification; and control a testing process based on the magnetic particle test procedure or the penetrant test procedure. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A non-destructive testing (NDT) system, comprising: a test process manager configured to: receive a configuration of a magnetic particle test procedure or a penetrant test procedure corresponding to a part type; and store the magnetic particle test procedure or the penetrant test procedure; and a magnetic particle inspection device or penetrant testing device, comprising: a communications device configured to receive the magnetic particle test procedure or the penetrant test procedure from the test process manager via a communications network; a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor and storing machine readable instructions which, when executed, cause the processor to: in response to identification of the part type as a part under test, access the magnetic particle test procedure or the penetrant test procedure based on the identification; and control a testing process based on the magnetic particle test procedure or the penetrant test procedure. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The NDT system as defined in claim 1, wherein the test process manager is configured to receive the configuration from a user interface device communicatively coupled to the test process manager. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The NDT system as defined in claim 1, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the processor to determine that an update to the magnetic particle test procedure or the penetrant test procedure is available from the test process manager and, in response to the determination, request an updated magnetic particle test procedure or an updated penetrant test procedure from the test process manager. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The NDT system as defined in claim 1, wherein the test process manager is configured to receive a selection of the magnetic particle inspection device or the penetrant testing device for receipt of the magnetic particle test procedure or the penetrant test procedure. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The NDT system as defined in claim 1, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the processor to receive an identification of the part type and, in response to the identification of the part type, request the magnetic particle test procedure or the penetrant test procedure from the test process manager via the communications device based on the part type. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The NDT system as defined in claim 1, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the processor to collect test data during the magnetic particle test procedure or the penetrant test procedure. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The NDT system as defined in claim 6, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the processor to transmit the test data to the test process manager. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The NDT system as defined in claim 7, wherein the test process manager is configured to store the test data in a database in association with at least one of an identifier of the part under test, an identifier of an operator who performed the test, an identifier of an owner of the part under test, a test customer identifier, an identifier of the magnetic particle inspection device or the penetrant testing device, an identifier of one or more pieces of equipment used to perform calibrations or quality checks on the magnetic particle inspection device or the penetrant testing device, a result of at least one of the calibrations or quality checks, or an identifier of a consumable product used to conduct the magnetic particle test procedure or the penetrant test procedure. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The NDT system as defined in claim 7, wherein the test process manager is configured to, in response to a request for the test data, transmit the test data to a requesting device via a network. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The NDT system as defined in claim 7, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the processor to transmit the test data at least one of: at a conclusion of a test; at a plurality of intervals; or in response to one or more events. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The NDT system as defined in claim 7, wherein the test data comprises test results comprising at least one of an alphanumeric result or an indication of acceptability or unacceptability. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The NDT system as defined in claim 1, wherein the test process manager is configured to: transmit a test process interface to a computing device via a network; and receive the configuration of the magnetic particle test procedure or the penetrant test procedure from the computing device based on the test process interface. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The NDT system as defined in claim 12, wherein the test process interface comprises executable instructions to generate the magnetic particle test procedure including at least one of: a number of magnetization shots, a magnetization shot time, a double magnetization, an extended demagnetization, a magnetization field type, current type, a magnetization amperage, a demagnetization amperage, a conductor length, a conductor size, a number of times a conductor is wrapped around the part under test, a wrap diameter of the conductor around the part under test, or a proximity of the conductor to an inspection location. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The NDT system as defined in claim 12, wherein the test process interface comprises executable instructions to generate the penetrant test procedure including at least one of: a penetrant application technique, a penetrant dwell time, a rinse time, a rinse pressure, an emulsifier time, a drying time, a drying temperature, a developer application time, a developer coverage, or a developer dwell time. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The NDT system as defined in claim 1, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the processor to send a request to the test process manager for an update to the magnetic particle test procedure or the penetrant test procedure, the request including an identifier of the magnetic particle inspection device, or the penetrant testing device. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The NDT system as defined in claim 1, wherein the test process manager is configured to: receive a definition of a quality verification procedure associated at least one of the magnetic particle test procedure, the penetrant test procedure, the magnetic particle inspection device, or the penetrant testing device; and transmit the quality verification procedure to the communications device. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The NDT system as defined in claim 16, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the processor to: implement the quality verification procedure; and control at least one aspect of the magnetic particle test procedure, the penetrant test procedure, the magnetic particle inspection device, or the penetrant testing device based on a result of the quality verification procedure. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The NDT system as defined in claim 16, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the processor to enable or disable operation of one or more components of the magnetic particle inspection device or the penetrant testing device in response to a result of the quality verification procedure. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The NDT system as defined in claim 16, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the processor to store a result of the quality verification procedure in association a result of the testing process. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The NDT system as defined in claim 16, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the test process manager to: provide an interface to enable input of the definition of the quality verification procedure; and determine the definition of the quality verification procedure based on the input to the interface.