Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
702038000 | Electromagnetic (e.g., eddy current) | 39 |
20080215257 | Method for Reducing Digital Data in an Emat Pig - The invention relates to a method for reducing digital data which can be obtained with an electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) pig. Said method increases the fidelity of reproduction compared to traditional methods, without increasing and/or without significantly increasing the amount of data which is to be memorised. Said method enables, after the testing step, the ultrasonic envelopes to be reconstructed without a significant loss of information, from the data which is recorded in a reduced manner. Said method evaluates the size of the enveloping by method groups in order to determine the size. The size determination is discriminated in the quality thereof by the method groups in order to determine the signal base. | 09-04-2008 |
20080228412 | Method for Nondestructive Testing of Pipes for Surface Flaws - A method for nondestructive testing of the pipes for detecting surface flaws using magnetic leakage flux is disclosed. With of the method, flaws can be detected and analyzed in near-real-time while the pipe is produced. The data obtained with inductive coils, Hall sensors or GMR sensors are digitized, the digital data are buffered in a first memory, and a subset of the digital data are copied into a second memory. The copied data are transformed with a wavelet transformation and the resulting wavelet coefficients are filtered and/or modified. In an alternative embodiment, the digital data can be continuously supplied to a routine for wavelet transformation, which is performed using cascaded digital signal processing routines. The evaluated variable is compared with a reference value, wherein a determined flaw-based signal can be unambiguously associated with the position of the flaw. | 09-18-2008 |
20090132180 | Fault detector and method of detecting faults - A fault detector for detecting valve movement of a valve in a fuel injector of an engine system, the valve comprising an electromagnetic actuator arranged to move the valve between first and second valve positions during a valve cycle, the engine system comprising a sensor for sensing a current through the actuator. The detector comprises a controller arranged to control the sensor; inputs for receiving from the sensor data related to the current through the actuator; a processor arranged to analyze the received data for current discontinuities; and outputs for outputting a valve movement signal in dependence upon the current discontinuities determined by the processor. The controller is arranged to enable the sensing means during a finite sampling window and to: (i) move the sampling window from a first window position for a first injection event to a progressively later window position for one or more subsequent injection events; (ii) to determine a new sampling window position on the basis of a valve movement signal output for at least two of the preceding window positions; and (iii) to feedback the new sampling window position for a subsequent injection event. | 05-21-2009 |
20090150093 | EDDY CURRENT DATA INTERPOLATION/EXTRAPOLATION - A method of synthesizing nondestructive examination data of a component that combines data sets acquired at least two different frequencies. At least one of the data sets is interpolated or extrapolated to the equivalent of data acquired at one of the other frequencies employing a third, reference set of eddy current inspection data that is acquired at each of the inspection frequencies being combined. | 06-11-2009 |
20090192730 | Damage Detection Apparatus, Damage Detection Method and Recording Medium - To provide a damage detection apparatus and damage detection method enabling an identification of a crack at a higher speed with a nondestructive inspection method which enables a quantification of a damage such as a crack buried inside a specimen, a crack exposed on a surface, or a wall thinning of the specimen, in three dimensions with an optional aspect ratio and inclination. | 07-30-2009 |
20090234590 | Method for improved crack detection and discrimination using circumferential magnetic flux leakage - A method of predicting at least one physical change in crack geometry based on ILI operating pressure, the method comprising a) performing a first test on a pipeline at a first pressure P | 09-17-2009 |
20100042336 | MAGNETIC SENSOR ARRAY AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING DEFECT USING THE MAGNETIC SENSOR ARRAY - If surface defects, near surface defects, or internal defects of a ferromagnetic substance object, a paramagnetic substance object, or a mixture object of ferromagnetic and paramagnetic substances are not quantitatively analyzed, the detected results can be differently analyzed depending on the knowledge or skill of an inspector. A defect detection apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes an induced current applier, a magneto-electric converter, a signal processor, a signal converter, and a data processor. The induced current applier applies a line or surface current to an object that is to be measured by using an alternating current (AC) having a frequency varying depending on a depth to be measured. The magneto-electric converter senses a magnetic field generated from the object by the Hn e or surface current and generates a magnetic field sensing signal corresponding to a strength of the sensed magnetic field. The signal processor filters and amplifies the magnetic field sensing signal and outputs a signal corresponding to amplitude of the filtered and amplified signal. The signal converter converts the signal output from the signal processor into a digital signal. The data processor quantitatively converts an intensity of a magnetic field generated from the object into a numerical value based on the digital signal output from the signal converter. | 02-18-2010 |
20100094566 | METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIA FOR WIRELESS CRACK DETECTION AND MONITORING - Methods, systems, and computer readable media for wireless crack detection and monitoring are disclosed. According to one system, a crack detector is affixed to a surface of a material for detecting a crack in the material. In response to detecting a crack, a crack indicator is generated, indicating the existence of the crack. A mote wirelessly communicates the crack indicator to an external device. The mote may also store multiple crack indicators in local memory before being downloaded to the external device. | 04-15-2010 |
20100131210 | Method and system for non-destructive inspection of a colony of stress corrosion cracks - The invention relates to a method and inspection system for non-destructive inspection of a colony of stress corrosion cracks in a pipe or a vessel. The method comprises mapping the colony of stress corrosion cracks, identifying at least one individual crack to be sized within the colony, and sizing the at least one individual crack to be sized. | 05-27-2010 |
20100305876 | NON-DESTRUCTIVE INSPECTION SYSTEM HAVING SELF-ALIGNING PROBE ASSEMBLY - An inspection system comprises a sensor configured to acquire inspection data of the object, a motion control device, a joint assembly coupled to the motion control device, and a probe housing coupled to the joint assembly and configured to hold the sensor. The inspection system further comprises a compliant element coupled to the probe housing and configured to cooperate with the joint assembly and the motion control device to position the sensor relative to the object. A self-aligning probe assembly is also presented. | 12-02-2010 |
20100312494 | PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR TESTING A COMPONENT USING AN OMNI-DIRECTIONAL EDDY CURRENT PROBE - A method for testing a component using an eddy current array probe is provided. The method includes calibrating the eddy current array probe, collecting data from the eddy current array probe for analysis, and processing the collected data to at least one of compensate for response variations due to a detected orientation of a detected imperfection and to facilitate minimizing noise. | 12-09-2010 |
20110098941 | Program Product to Screen for Longitudinal-Seam Anomalies - Embodiments of the present invention provide systems, program product and methods to detect crack-like features in pipeline welds using magnetic flux leakage data and pattern recognition. A screening process, for example, does not affect or change how survey data is recorded in survey tools; only how it is analyzed after the survey data is completed. Embodiments of the present invention can be used to screen for very narrow axial anomalies in the pipeline welds, and may also be used to predict the length of such anomalies. Embodiments of the present invention also produce a listing of the anomalies based on their relative signal characteristics. | 04-28-2011 |
20110178727 | Crawling automated scanner for non-destructive inspection of aeropace structural elements - Apparatus for non-destructive inspection of structural elements or workpieces, in particular those having an airfoil configuration, that moves a scanning sensor across the width (span) of a structural element or workpiece for the purpose of detecting structural damage. In one embodiment, the apparatus simultaneously traverses the length (chord) of the structural element or workpiece. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a guide rail that encompasses the structural element or workpiece and the scanning sensor travels along the guide rail from a first location at an upper rear region, to the front, of the structural element or workpiece, and then around the leading edge toward the lower rear region. The apparatus includes a processor and a display device to display the processed, sensed, information. | 07-21-2011 |
20110213569 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DETECTING CRACKS IN COMPRESSOR BLADES - A detection device for detecting cracks in compressor blades, having non-contacting sensors distributed in several planes and disposed in the vicinity of the rotor detects cycle times of blades at the sensors and/or relative and absolute changes in a gap width between a blade and the compressor housing. The captured data are compared to corresponding reference data in a memory device and analyzed. | 09-01-2011 |
20110218741 | Device for Detecting Defect of Turbine Rotor Blade and Method for Detecting Defect of Turbine Rotor Blade - A defect detection device for a turbine rotor blade, wherein a turbine rotor blade implanting portion is constructed by fitting a set of rotor grooves formed on a rotor disc portion with a set of blade grooves formed on each root portion of turbine rotor blades arranged around the outer circumference of a turbine rotor rotatably installed in a turbine casing; a recess is provided in the side surface of a web provided to the inner circumferential side of a stationary blade diaphragm where stationary blades are annularly arranged adjacent to the turbine rotor blades; an eddy current probe for inspecting the state of the turbine rotor blade implanting portion is movably installed in the recess; a rod provided with a signal line for transmitting a signal detected by the eddy current probe, connected to the eddy current prove, is set up to be movable through a hole in a turbine casing and an air gap formed in the stationary blade diaphragm; the eddy current probe connected to the rod is moved toward or away from the turbine rotor blade implanting portion; and a data analyzer is provided for determining the condition of a defect occurred in the turbine rotor blade implanting portion based on the signals detected by the eddy current probe. | 09-08-2011 |
20110282592 | METHOD OF DETERMINING AN EDGE OF AN ANOMALY, METHOD OF DETERMINING INTERACTION, METHOD OF ALIGNING, COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT, AND DATA CARRIER - Method of determining an edge of a first anomaly in a wall of a pipeline from a first set of data elements representing measurements of the wall of the pipeline. An element of the first set comprises a first coordinate, a second coordinate, and a parameter being indicative for the presence and/or severity of the first anomaly a position along the wall indicated by the first and second coordinate. The method comprises determining a data element that is associated with a maximum in the severity of the first anomaly; evaluating a value of the parameter by comparing with a predetermined threshold; determining an initial edge data element for which the parameter has reached the threshold; determining a next edge data element; determining further edge data elements; and determining the edge of the first anomaly by combining the first and second coordinates of the determined edge data elements. | 11-17-2011 |
20120191375 | VEHICLE DAMAGE DETECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME - An impact detection and remediation system includes a sensing device for detecting damage events related to a structure of interest. Such damage events may include impact from a ballistic object, a tamper event, a physical impact, or other events that may affect structural integrity or cause failure. Illustratively, the sensing device is in communication with a measurement system to determine impact criteria, and a processing system which is configured to use the impact criteria to determine a direction of the initiation point of a ballistic causing the damage event. | 07-26-2012 |
20120191376 | EVENT DETECTION CONTROL SYSTEM FOR OPERATING A REMOTE SENSOR OR PROJECTILE SYSTEM - A damage detection and remediation system includes a sensing device for detecting damage events related to a structure of interest. Such damage events may include impact from a ballistic object, a tamper event, a physical impact, or other events that may affect structural integrity or cause failure. Illustratively, the sensing device is in communication with a measurement system to determine damage criteria, and a processing system which is configured to use the damage criteria to determine, for example, a direction of the initiation point of a ballistic causing the damage event. | 07-26-2012 |
20120253696 | Methods and apparatus for the inspection of plates and pipe walls - This invention relates to methods and apparatus for inspecting surfaces such as plates or pipe walls of magnetisable material using magnetic reluctance to gain data about the surfaces being inspected. In a preferred method, a magnetic circuit that passes through at least a magnetising unit and a portion of the surface to be inspected is created. The magnetic reluctance in the magnetic circuit is measured at one or more positions in the circuit. At least one of the measured magnetic reluctance values is incorporated into one or more algorithms. The result of the or each algorithm is recorded or displayed for each magnetic reluctance reading in association with information concerning the position of the or each magnetic reluctance reading on the surface. | 10-04-2012 |
20120283964 | Potentiostat Data Link - A potentiostat data link (PDL) unit is provided which can remotely monitor the formation and growth of cracks in metal structures. A PDL includes a sealed box containing two or more modified potentiostats, a power supply, a CPU, a memory device, and computer networking capability. The PDL can be mounted in a remote, difficult-to-access location. Each potentiostat has a lead to a sensor affixed to a structure to be analyzed for the presence of growing cracks due to metal fatigue in a metal structure. | 11-08-2012 |
20130024135 | Method And Apparatus For Ferromagnetic Cable Inspection - An opposing field sensing element for ferromagnetic cable inspection is disclosed that uses magnetic flux sources and a magnetic flux sensor to detect anomalies in ferromagnetic cables. An array of opposing field sensing elements may be used to non-invasively inspect systems that contain ferromagnetic cables such as conveyer belts and the like. The opposing field sensing element is small and compact, and immune to vertical axis flutter and disturbances of the ferromagnetic cable being inspected. In addition, the opposing field sensing element does not magnetize the ferromagnetic cable being inspected such that interference with other sensing and control systems is minimized. | 01-24-2013 |
20130060488 | IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR NDT/NDI TESTING DEVICES - A system and method suitable for producing user designated views of non-destructive inspection target with adjustable color, opacity and/or fill-patterns in coordination of the display of inspection scan images. The geometric definition of the inspection target and the inspection scan area are both prepared by independent processes under which vertices and respective primitives are established. The inspection target primitives are given an alpha texture that includes color, opacity and/or fill-pattern designated by the user. The scan area primitives are mapped by a color and/or opacity texture representing inspection signal information such as amplitude. An efficient commercially available graphics accelerator is used to render both of the images of inspection target's chosen view and that of scanned area. The method allows implementation in real-time and on hand-held devices. | 03-07-2013 |
20130085685 | Method And Arrangement For Crack Detection In A Metallic Material - A method of determining a crack depth of a crack in a metallic material including the steps: feeding a current with a first magnitude to a transmitter coil for generating a magnetic field in the metallic material; controlling the current such that it obtains a second magnitude when the magnetic field is estimated to have penetrated deeper than a deepest crack depth desired to be measured in the metallic material; detecting the magnetic field by means of a receiver coil; determining a first characteristic value of the signal in a first time range; determining a second characteristic value of the signal in a second time range after the first time range; and determining a possible presence of a crack and its crack depth based on the first characteristic value and the second characteristic value. | 04-04-2013 |
20130144543 | Method for Detecting Breakage of Diesel Particulate Filter - A method for detecting breakage of a diesel particulate filter (DPF) for detecting a tiny breakage of the DPF may include obtaining a learned value of a flow resistance in the DPF when a regeneration of the DPF is terminated, calculating a predicted value of the flow resistance, determining whether the learned value is within a permissible error range of the predicted value, and determining that the DPF is broken if the learned value is not within the permissible error range. The method may further include storing an arithmetic average of the learned value according to a mileage of a vehicle and transforming a relation between the mileage and the learned value to a polynomial expression. | 06-06-2013 |
20130191041 | INSULATION DEFECT DETECTION OF HIGH VOLTAGE GENERATOR STATOR CORE - In a general methodology for insulation defect identification in a generator core, a Chattock coil is used to measure magnetic potential difference between teeth. Physical knowledge and empirical knowledge is combined in a model to predict insulation damage location and severity. Measurements are taken at multiple excitation frequencies to solve for multiple characteristics of the defect. | 07-25-2013 |
20130218485 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COLLECTION, ANALYSIS AND ARCHIVING OF PIPE DEFECT DATA - The system utilizes electroscan equipment including a voltage source and current meter with a cable having one end grounded and one end having an electric probe thereon sized to fit within an underground pipe. The probe is able to complete an electric circuit back to ground when the probe is adjacent a defect through which electric currents can pass, thus producing varying electric current. A cable reel is provided with portions of the cable supported thereon and with a cable distance sensor coupled to the reel along with the current meter and voltage source in the form of a battery. The current meter and distance sensor transmit wireless signals to an on-site processor, such as a smartphone, for on-site data evaluation. Such unconditioned data is also transmitted to a remote location for conditioning of the data and retransmission of the conditioned data back to the on-site processor. | 08-22-2013 |
20130226472 | Method for Monitoring the Condition of a Piezo Injector of a Fuel Injection System - A method for monitoring the condition of a piezoinjector of a fuel injection system is disclosed. The fuel injection is carried out in injection cycles, each of which comprises a filling phase, a holding phase, and an emptying phase. The discharge resistance is ascertained during the holding phase of the piezoinjector. Conclusions about the working order of the piezoinjector are drawn using the ascertained discharge resistance. | 08-29-2013 |
20130338939 | FAULT DIAGNOSIS OF ELECTRIC MACHINES - Faults and fault types in electric machines can be identified based on spectra associated with stator and field currents. Signals associated with such currents can be compensated for line variations, and spectral contributions for non-eccentric machines can be reduced or eliminated to permit distinguish static eccentricities from non-eccentric machine operation. One or more of a static eccentricity, a dynamic eccentricity, and a mixed eccentricity can be identified based on spectral component magnitudes at selected frequencies. | 12-19-2013 |
20130338940 | EDDY CURRENT METHOD FOR THE CHARACTERIZATION OF BROACHED TUBE SUPPORT PLATE BLOCKAGE - A method for determining tube support plate blockage of a steam generator includes the following steps: measuring at least five different eddy current values per tube support intersection; calculating a nominal clean fit radius of flow hole; determining a center signal response; converting the center signal response to a deposit thickness; determine an edge reduction; converting the edge reduction to an edge thickness; calculating the resulting flow hole radius; verifying the reasonableness of the resulting flow hole radius; and determining a virtual calibration range. | 12-19-2013 |
20140172326 | FAULT DETECTION SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED METHOD - A method implemented using a processor based device includes obtaining a measured electrical signal from an electrical device coupled to a mechanical device and generating a signal signature representative of a fault in the mechanical device based on the measured electrical signal. The method also includes determining a diagnostic parameter based on a harmonic frequency of the signal signature and determining the fault in the mechanical device based on the diagnostic parameter. | 06-19-2014 |
20140200831 | Pipe Damage Interpretation System - A technique facilitates evaluation of pipe. A sensor is positioned to examine a pipe and to obtain data on the pipe. The data obtained is analyzed on a processor-based system and compared to predetermined defect data. If the data obtained by the sensor sufficiently matches predetermined defect data, a defect is determined to enable performance of an appropriate action with respect to the pipe. | 07-17-2014 |
20140200832 | Autonomous Non-Destructive Evaluation System for Aircraft Structures - An apparatus comprises an inspection vehicle, a sensor system, a positioning system, a controller, and a support system. The inspection vehicle is configured to move on a surface of an object. The sensor system is associated with the inspection vehicle and is configured to generate information about the object when the inspection vehicle is on the surface of the object. The positioning system is configured to determine a location of the inspection vehicle on the object. The controller is configured to control movement of the inspection vehicle using the positioning system and control operation of the sensor system. The support system is connected to the inspection vehicle and is configured to support the inspection vehicle in response to an undesired release of the inspection vehicle from the surface of the object. | 07-17-2014 |
20140214340 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETECTING AT LEAST ONE PERIODICALLY OCCURRING DEFECT ON AN OBJECT - An apparatus and a method for detecting at least one periodically occurring defect on an object, in particular on a metal strip, in which at least one time signal is recorded from the moving object using a measuring method, the time signal is converted into a quality function using a stochastic method and one or more periodic signals in the time signal are inferred on the basis of this quality function in order to thereby detect at least one periodically occurring defect on the object. In order to obtain advantageous method properties, it is proposed to convert the time signal recorded by means of the measuring method, in particular the electromagnetic measuring method, into the quality function using a model-based estimation method, in particular using a maximum likelihood method. | 07-31-2014 |
20140257718 | EDDY CURRENT METHOD FOR THE CHARACTERIZATION OF BROACHED TUBE SUPPORT PLATE BLOCKAGE - A method for determining tube support plate blockage of a steam generator includes the following steps: measuring at least five different eddy current values per tube support intersection; calculating a nominal clean fit radius of flow hole; determining a center signal response; converting the center signal response to a deposit thickness; determine an edge reduction; converting the edge reduction to an edge thickness; calculating the resulting flow hole radius; verifying the reasonableness of the resulting flow hole radius; and determining a virtual calibration range. | 09-11-2014 |
20150057952 | MODULAR INSPECTION SYSTEM - An inspection system for inspecting a target object is disclosed. The inspection system includes an inspection module. The inspection module includes a housing, a sensor adapted to provide sensor data relating to the target object, an inspection module processor adapted to receive the sensor data from the sensor and to provide corresponding packaged data, and an inspection module interface adapted to output the packaged data from the inspection module processor. The inspection system also includes a handset adapted to selectively mechanically engage with the inspection module. The handset includes a handset processor, a handset interface adapted to receive the packaged data from the inspection module interface and to provide the packaged data to the handset processor, and a user output interface responsive to the handset processor to output information about the target object to a user based on the packaged data. | 02-26-2015 |
20150066391 | METHODS FOR CHARACTERIZING DENTS IN PIPELINES - The disclosure describes methods, devices and tools useful in the non-destructive inspection and the characterization of mechanical damage such as dents in pipelines. Methods, devices and tools described herein make use of a strain severity indication combined with a material loss indication such as magnetic flux leakage to determine whether a dent comprises at least one of a crack, a gouge and corrosion. The characterization of the mechanical damage in dents of pipes may be used to determine whether and when any corrective or preventive action should be carried out. | 03-05-2015 |
20150127274 | Method and Apparatus for Removal of The Double Indication of Defects in Remote Eddy Current Inspection of Pipes - The apparatus employs the remote field eddy-current (RFEC) inspection technique to electromagnetically measure physical parameters of a metallic pipe. RFEC devices inserted into and displaced along a cylindrical pipes may be used to measure the ratio of pipe thickness to electromagnetic skin-depth and thus allow for the non-invasive detection of flaws or metal loss. Typically these RFEC thickness measurements exhibit a so-called double-indication of flaws, an undesired artifact due to a double-peaked geometrical sensitivity function of the device. | 05-07-2015 |
20150134273 | VISUALIZATION OF REFERENCES DURING INDUCTION THERMOGRAPHY - Non-destructive material examination of a test part by scanning induction thermography improves upon the quality of a manual measurement by an inspecting person. Recorded infrared images undergo evaluation and references corresponding to the evaluation are projected onto the test piece for an inspecting person. | 05-14-2015 |
20160202212 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR STEAM GENERATOR TUBE ANALYSIS FOR DETECTION OF TUBE DEGRADATION | 07-14-2016 |