Rivet rotating eddy current probe

DWPI Title: Eddy current probe for detecting cracks in e.g. aircraft outer skin's metal sheets, has support unit adapted to carry eddy current coil system and orient coil centerline at selected angular displacement from fastener centerline
Use: Used in the field of non-destructive evaluation for detecting cracks in metal sheets of an aircraft or a helicopter outer skin.
Advantage: The probe can detect cracks in metal sheets having closely located raised-head fasteners or raised-head fasteners in a closely located staggered pattern. The probe can detect cracks located in metal sheets directly below the head of a raised-head fastener. The probe can detect cracks in the head of a raised-head fastener. The probe can detect cracks which would otherwise go undetected by typical sliding probes due to crack signature cancellation and/or edge effects.
Novelty: An eddy current probe has an eddy current coil system comprising a disc-shaped coil (31) with a coil centerline (33), and a support unit (15). The support unit is adapted to carry the coil system and orient the centerline at a selected angular displacement from a fastener centerline (37) of each of several raised head fasteners (35). The support unit has a tubular member (39) comprising an inner wall (43) with a diameter selected to match the diameter of the head of the fasteners.
Filed: 12/19/2007
Application Number: US2007664665A
Tech ID: SD 7855.2
This invention was made with Government support under Contract No. DE-NA0003525 awarded by the United States Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration. The Government has certain rights in the invention.
Data from Derwent World Patents Index, provided by Clarivate
All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Clarivate content, including by framing or similar means, is prohibited without the prior written consent of Clarivate. Clarivate and its logo, as well as all other trademarks used herein are trademarks of their respective owners and used under license.