Electromagnetic acoustic transducer
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsManoj Kumar Koyithitta Meethal, David Martin Paige
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) for inspecting an object is provided. The EMAT includes a magnet configured to generate a magnetic field in an object and a radio frequency coil configured to induce eddy currents on a surface of the object. The EMAT further includes a laminated wear plate disposed over the magnet and the radio frequency coil and configured to shield the magnet and the radio frequency coil from damage.
Claims20
An electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) for inspecting an object, comprising:
- a magnet configured to generate a magnetic field in an object;
- a radio frequency coil configured to induce eddy currents on a surface of the object;
- and
- a laminated wear plate disposed over the magnet and the radio frequency coil and configured to shield the magnet and the radio frequency coil from damage, wherein the laminated wear plate comprises a plurality of ferromagnetic layers.
An electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) for inspecting an object comprising:
- a magnet configured to generate a magnetic field;
- a radio frequency coil configured to induce eddy currents on a surface of the object;
- a laminated wear plate disposed over the magnet and the radio frequency coil and configured to shield the magnet and the RF coil from damage, the laminated wear plate comprising:
- a plurality of ferromagnetic layers,
- an electrically conductive coating coated on an outer surface of the laminated wear plate.
An ultrasonic inspection system for inspecting an object;
- the system comprising:
- an electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) comprising:
- a magnet configured to generate a static magnetic field;
- a radio frequency coil configured to induce eddy currents on a surface of the object;
- a laminated wear plate coupled to the magnet and configured to shield the magnet and the RF coil from damage comprising:
- a plurality of ferromagnetic layers;
- and
- an electrically conductive coating coated on an outer surface of the laminated wear plate;
- and
- an ultrasound receiver system coupled to the EMAT and configured to convert acoustic signals received from the object to corresponding electrical signals.
A ultrasonic method for inspecting an object, the method comprising
- aligning lines of magnetic flux in a direction generally perpendicular to the object;
- wherein the aligning is achieved using a laminated wear plate coupled to an electromagnetic acoustic transducer;
- inducing eddy currents in a direction generally parallel to the object;
- and
- processing acoustic signals received from the object to generate information representative of a condition of the object.
A kit for shielding an electromagnetic assembly, the kit comprising:
- a laminated wear plate comprising a plurality of ferromagnetic layers;
- and wherein the laminated wear plate is coated with an electrically conductive material and coupled to the electromagnetic assembly via an adhesive.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.