Eddy current probe having sensing elements defined by first and second elongated coils and an associated inspection method

An eddy current probe for inspecting a structure comprising:

• a plurality of first coils oriented in a first direction;
• an alternating current source electrically connected to respective ones of the plurality of first coils;
• a plurality of second coils oriented in a second direction, different than the first direction, such that the plurality of second coils cross the plurality of first coils to define respective sensing elements;
• sense electronics for sensing current induced in respective ones of the plurality of second coils;
• and
• a plurality of magnetically permeable core elements at least partially encircled by respective pairs of said first and second coils
• wherein the current sensed in a respective second coil is representative of at least one characteristic of the structure proximate the corresponding sensing element.

An eddy current probe array for inspecting a structure comprising:

• a plurality of elongated first coils oriented in a first direction, wherein each first coil defines a first major axis extending in the first direction;
• and
• a plurality of elongated second coils oriented in a second direction, different than the first direction, such that the plurality of second coils cross the plurality of first coils to define respective sensing elements responsive to eddy currents induced in the structure, wherein each second coil defines a second major axis extending in the second direction,
• wherein said first and second coils comprise a plurality of turns of a conductive member, and
• wherein current sensed in a respective second coil is representative of at least one characteristic of the structure proximate the corresponding sensing element.

An eddy current probe array for inspecting a structure comprising:

• a plurality of elongated first coils oriented in a first direction;
• a plurality of elongated second coils oriented in a second direction, different than the first direction, such that the plurality of second coils cross the plurality of first coils to define respective sensing elements;
• and
• a plurality of magnetically permeable core elements at least partially encircled by respective pairs of said first and second coils,
• wherein current sensed in a respective second coil is representative of at least one characteristic of the structure proximate the corresponding sensing element.

An eddy current probe array for inspecting a structure comprising:

• a plurality of elongated first coils oriented in a first direction;
• a plurality of elongated second coils oriented in a second direction, different than the first direction, such that the plurality of second coils cross the plurality of first coils to define respective sensing elements;
• and
• a plurality of magnetically permeable core elements including:
• a plurality of medial core elements;
• and
• a plurality of peripheral core elements disposed about the medial core elements
• wherein current sensed in a respective second coil is representative of at least one characteristic of the structure proximate the corresponding sensing element.

A method of conducting an eddy current inspection of a structure, the method comprising;

• positioning an eddy current probe array proximate the structure to be inspected, wherein positioning the eddy current probe array comprises providing the eddy current probe array comprising a plurality of elongated first coils oriented in a first direction and defining a first major axis extending in the first direction and a plurality of elongated second coils oriented in a second direction, different than the first direction, such that the plurality of second coils cross the plurality of first coils to define respective sensing elements, wherein each second coil defines a second major axis extending in the second direction, and wherein said first and second coils comprise a plurality of turns of a conductive member;
• supplying alternating current to at least one of the plurality of first coils oriented in the first direction;
• and
• sensing current induced in at least one of the plurality of second coils that are oriented in the second direction,
• wherein the current sensed in a respective second coil is representative of at least one characteristic of the structure proximate the corresponding sensing element defined by the crossing of the respective second coil and the first coil to which current is supplied.