Automated inspection system and method for nondestructive inspection of a workpiece using induction thermography

An automated inspection system for nondestructive inspection and evaluation of an electrically-conductive workpiece based on induction thermography, the system comprising:

• a movable carriage configured to translate the workpiece in an inspection location;
• an induction coil disposed at the inspection location, wherein the induction coil comprises a first induction coil section arranged to induce a respective flow of electrical current in a first portion of the workpiece, wherein the induction coil further comprises a second induction coil section coupled to said first induction coil section, the second induction coil section arranged to induce a respective flow of electrical current in a second portion of the workpiece, wherein the first and second induction coil sections are positioned at an angle with respect to one another to inductively excite first and second portions of the workpiece angled relative to one another;
• a thermographic camera disposed at the inspection location, the thermographic camera arranged to capture data indicative of a thermal response resulting from the respective flows of electrical current in the first and second portions of the workpiece;
• a reflector arranged to reflect within a field of view of the thermographic camera at least some of the data indicative of the thermal response that otherwise would not be captured by the thermographic camera;
• and
• a computer system configured to process the data captured by the thermographic camera to generate an indication of a presence of a discontinuity in the workpiece, wherein the computer system comprises a controller configured to control a translation motion of the movable carriage, and further configured to coordinate control of the excitation current in the induction coil with respect to a sequential activation of the thermographic camera to capture the data indicative of the thermal response, as said at least one of the first and second portions of the workpiece, or a reflection of said at least one of the first and second portions passes within the field of view of the camera.

A method for nondestructive inspection and evaluation of an electrically-conductive workpiece based on induction thermography, the method comprising:

• controlling motion of a movable carriage so that the workpiece is translated in an inspection location;
• exciting an induction coil disposed at the inspection location to induce a flow of electrical current in a region of interest of the workpiece;
• acquiring with a thermographic camera data indicative of a thermal response resulting from the flow of electrical current;
• arranging a reflector to reflect within a field of view of the thermographic camera, data indicative of a thermal response from a portion of the workpiece that otherwise would not be captured by the thermographic camera;
• and
• processing the data from the thermographic camera to generate an indication of a presence of a discontinuity in the workpiece.