Eddy current device for inspecting a component having a flexible support with a plural sensor array

A device for inspecting a dovetail slot of a gas turbine engine component, comprising;

• an eddy current array circuit having respective pluralities of drive and sense elements disposed on at least one flexible substrate and having an active face for positioning on a surface of the dovetail slot during an inspection operation;
• a flexible backing layer disposed on a face of said eddy current array circuit opposite to said active face for applying a uniform pressure behind said array circuit to maintain the array circuit against the dovetail slot surface during the inspection operation;
• means for supporting and deploying said backing layer and said array circuit to conform to the surface of the dovetail slot and to cause each of said respective pluralities of drive and sense elements to each remain at a respective substantially constant distance from the dovetail slot surface during the inspection operation;
• and
• means for electrically connecting said eddy current array circuit to an eddy current instrument.

A device for inspecting a component, comprising:

• an eddy current array circuit having respective pluralities of drive and sense elements disposed on at least one substrate and having an active face for positioning on a surface of the component during an inspection operation;
• outer backing means disposed on a face of said eddy current array circuit opposite to said active face for supporting said eddy current array circuit, said outer backing means being premoldable to conform substantially to a near net shape of the surface to be inspected to cause said array circuit to conform to the near net shape of the inspection surface;
• inner backing means disposed on a face of said outer backing means opposite to said eddy current array circuit, said inner backing being a pliable, compressible material for providing uniform pressure behind said array circuit when in contact with the inspection surface;
• and
• means for supporting and deploying said inner and outer backing means and said array circuit against the inspection surface during the inspection operation;
• and
• means for electrically connecting said eddy current array circuit to an eddy current instrument.

A device for inspecting a component, comprising:

• an eddy current array circuit having respective pluralities of drive and sense elements and having an active face for positioning on a surface portion of the component during an inspection operation;
• backing means disposed on a face of said eddy current array circuit opposite to said active face for applying a uniform pressure behind said array circuit to maintain the array circuit against the surface portion during the inspection operation;
• and
• means for supporting and deploying said backing means and said array circuit to conform to the surface portion of the component and to cause each of said respective pluralities of drive and sense elements to remain at a respective substantially constant distance from the component surface portion during the inspection operation, said supporting and deploying means including a support member having an operating face and a groove formed in said operating face for receipt and retention of said backing means;
• and
• means for electrically connecting said eddy current array circuit to an eddy current instrument.