Metallic Flaw Detection System and Method
AssigneeSpscanco, LLC
InventorEnio OLIVEROS
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Abstract
Apparatus and methods for detecting flaws in objects comprised of ferromagnetic materials are disclosed. A wireless energizing unit is disclosed that includes an array of permanent magnets is used to induce a magnetic field into the objects and transducers are configured to detect a magnetic flux property in the presence of a flaw in the object. Embodiments that are configured to be clamped over the object are also disclosed. In addition, methods for retrofitting EMI detection systems with a wireless energizing unit are disclosed.
Claims28
A magnetic inspection system, comprising:
- a sensor unit comprising:
- at least one wireless energizing unit configured to produce a magnetic field in a part of interest comprising:
- a ring having an inside diameter and an outside diameter and a bore defined by the inside diameter;
- and
- a plurality of permanent magnets each having a magnetic field circumferentially spaced around the ring between the inside diameter and the outside diameter wherein each of the plurality of permanent magnets is oriented such that the magnetic field of each of the permanent magnets is directed in a predetermined direction to produce a plurality of magnetic fields in a single magnetic field direction within the bore and traversing across the bore in the plane of the ring;
- wherein the part of interest includes a centerline and is at least in part comprised of a ferromagnetic material;
- wherein each of the at least one wireless energizing unit is positioned at a predetermined angle relative to the centerline of the part of interest;
- at least one transducer configured to detect a magnetic parameter in the part of interest a magnetic parameter signal;
- and
- a processing unit configured to process the magnetic parameter signal and to output information related to the magnetic parameter.
An energizing unit for use with an inspection unit comprising:
- a wireless energizing unit configured to produce a planar magnetic field in a part of interest wherein the part of interest is at least in part comprised of a ferromagnetic material, the wireless energizing unit comprising:
- a ring having an inside diameter and an outside diameter and a bore defined by the inside diameter;
- and
- a plurality of permanent magnets each having a magnetic field circumferentially spaced around the ring between the inside diameter and the outside diameter wherein each of the plurality of permanent magnets is oriented such that the magnetic field of each of the permanent magnets is directed in a predetermined direction to produce a plurality of magnetic fields in a single magnetic field direction within the bore and traversing across the bore in the plane of the ring.
A method of inspecting a ferromagnetic part of interest, comprising:
- producing a plurality of magnetic fields in a single magnetic field direction in the part of interest using a wireless energizing unit;
- and
- detecting a magnetic parameter using at least one transducer;
- producing a magnetic parameter signal;
- and
- outputting information related to the magnetic parameter using a processing unit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.