Dry-coupled magnetostrictive guided wave scanning system and method

A system for non-destructive inspection of a structure, comprising:

• at least one scanner body for supporting a position encoder and at least one wheel, the position encoder configured to provide data on the location of the scanner body, wherein the at least one wheel is configured to be disposed on a surface of a structure and move the at least one scanner body relative to the structure;
• a sensor package comprising at least one ferromagnetic strip and at least one flexible coil, the at least one ferromagnetic strip configured to be disposed adjacent to at least one surface of the structure to be inspected, the at least one flexible sensor coil configured to at least one of transmit and detect a guided wave;
• at least one biasing magnet for applying a biasing magnetic field to said at least one ferromagnetic strip;
• an actuator mechanism configured to provide a mechanical pressure coupling between said at least one magnetostrictive strip and the structure;
• a retention mechanism configured to counteract a force applied by said actuator mechanism;
• and
• a processor in signal communication with the sensor package, the processor configured to:
• record guided wave signals detected by said at least one flexible sensor coil,
• record scanner body location data provided by said position encoder, and
• generate two-dimensional image data of an anomaly in the structure based on the guided wave signals detected by the at least one flexible sensor coil reflections and location data.