Non-destructive testing couplant providing apparatus and method

A device for non-destructive testing on a surface comprising:

• a frame having a first side plate, a front side plate, a back side plate, a second side plate, a top side plate, and a bottom side plate, the top side plate and the bottom side plate each connected to the first side plate, the front side plate, the back side plate and the second side plate;
• a resilient rolling seal assembly between the first side plate and the second side plate and between the front side plate and the back side plate, below the top side plate and adjacent the bottom side plate of the frame adapted to form a seal relative to the surface during non-destructive testing of the surface, the resilient rolling seal assembly comprising:
• a first axle having a first end and a second end;
• a second axle having a first end and second end, parallel to the first axle;
• a first pair of sprockets mounted to the first end and the second end of the first axle;
• a second pair of sprockets mounted to the first end and the second end of the second axle;
• a first roller track adjacent the first side plate rotatably connecting the first pair of sprockets to the second pair of sprockets together on a first side;
• a second roller track adjacent the second side plate rotatably connecting the first pair of sprockets to the second pair of sprockets together on a second side;
• a plurality of rolling elements configured into a shape such that the plurality of rolling elements defines a sealed area with the bottom side plate, the front side plate, and the back side plate and relative to the surface;
• a motor assembly coupled to at least one of the first pair of sprockets or the second pair of sprockets to actively drive either the first axle or the second axle;
• a fluid reservoir defining a chamber having fluid couplant defined by the sealed area or the resilient rolling seal assembly, the first side plate, the second side plate, the bottom side plate and the top side plate of the frame;
• a non-destructive testing sensor received within the sealed area and a chamber adapted to remain immersed within the fluid couplant and in contact with the surface as the resilient seal assembly of the non-destructive testing device protatably moves across the surface during non-destructive testing of the surface.

A method of non-destructive testing on a surface with a device, the device comprising:

• a frame having a first side plate, a front side plate, a back side plate, a second side plate, a top side plate, and a bottom side plate, the top side plate and the bottom side plate each connected to the first side plate, the front side plate, the back side plate and the second side plate;
• a resilient rolling seal assembly between the first side plate and the second side plate and the front side plate and the back side plate, below the top side plate, and adjacent the bottom side plate of the frame adapted to form a resilient rolling seal relative to the surface during non-destructive testing of the surface;
• a fluid reservoir defining a chamber having fluid couplant defined by at least the resilient rolling seal assembly, the first side plate, the second side plate, the bottom side plate, the front side plate, the back side plate, and the top side plate of the frame;
• a non-destructive testing sensor received within the fluid reservoir and adapted to remain immersed within the fluid couplant and in contact with the surface as the resilient seal assembly of the non-destructive testing device rotatably moves across the surface during non-destructive testing of the surface, the method comprising:
• affixing a sensor within the chamber;
• filling the chamber with fluid;
• placing the resilient seal assembly of the device adjacent the surface;
• and
• applying pressure on the device relative to the surface, such that a resilient rolling seal is formed between the surface and the device.