Adapter for a device for non-destructive testing by means of electromagnetic radiation

EP4612468A1Pending Publication Date: 2025-09-10OFFICE NAT DETUDES & DE RECH AEROSPATIALES
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Patent Information

Application Number
EP2023817184
Authority / Receiving Office
EP · EP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2022-10-31
Filing Date
2023-10-27
Publication Date
2025-09-10

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Active thermography non-destructive testing devices face challenges in inspecting curved surfaces, as existing devices are designed for flat surfaces and cannot automatically approach curved parts without risking damage.

Method used

An adapter for non-destructive testing devices with a proximal and distal part, where the distal part is movable and deformable to conform to the shape of the part being inspected, equipped with a contact element and an optical isolation wall to ensure accurate radiation transmission and isolation.

Benefits of technology

Enables safe and accurate non-destructive testing of curved surfaces by allowing the device to automatically adapt to the shape of the part, reducing damage risks and improving radiation isolation for precise heat diffusion visualization.

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Abstract

The invention relates to an adapter (1) for a device for non-destructive testing by means of electromagnetic radiation, the adapter (1) comprising: - a proximal portion (3) configured to be attached to a testing device; and - a distal portion (5) comprising a contact element (7) forming a free end and mounted so as to be movable relative to the proximal portion (3) such that the distal portion (5) deforms when a force is applied to the contact element (7), the contact element (7) being connected to the deformable member by a ball-and-socket joint or a pivot link, the contact element (7) being parallelepiped in shape.
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Description

[0001] Adapter for non-destructive testing device using electromagnetic radiation

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] This application generally concerns the field of devices and methods for non-destructive testing by electromagnetic radiation, and in particular non-destructive testing by active thermography.

[0004] STATE OF THE ART

[0005] Active thermography inspection is a classic non-destructive testing technique. In this technique, the part to be inspected is illuminated by a heat supply, such as a flash lamp, and then the heat flux radiated by the part is acquired using a detector, such as an infrared camera. The heat diffusion in the part after its illumination can thus be visualized. If the part has defects, visualizing the heat diffusion highlights local thermal contrasts and makes it possible to detect the presence of these defects. The heat supply by radiation can use different spectral domains, such as the infrared or the visible range.

[0006] Active thermography inspection devices have many disadvantages. While the part of these devices intended to be placed in contact with the part is flat, the parts to be inspected generally have a curve or a shape, as is the case for an aircraft fuselage which has a rounded profile or a petrochemical tank which has a curved profile. This situation poses a difficulty because it is difficult to automatically approach the device towards the part to be inspected, which could be damaged.

[0007] STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0008] An aim of the present application is to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks, by proposing an adapter for a non-destructive testing device using electromagnetic radiation, the adapter comprising:

[0009] - a proximal portion configured to be attached to a control device, and

[0010] - a distal part comprising a contact element forming a free end and mounted to move relative to the proximal part so that the distal part deforms when a force is exerted on the contact element.

[0011] Such an adapter is advantageously and optionally completed by the following various characteristics taken alone or in combination: the contact element has rounded or chamfered edges; a deformable member linked to the contact element so as to mount the movable contact element relative to the proximal part, the deformable member preferably being a compression spring, a single-acting cylinder or a double-acting cylinder; the contact element is rigidly linked to the deformable member, the contact element having a spherical shape; the contact element is linked to the deformable member according to a ball joint or pivot connection, the contact element having a parallelepiped shape; the contact element and the deformable member form a first assembly, the adapter comprising a plurality of assemblies; the contact elements are arranged two by two contiguous, two contiguous contact elements being directly linked by an elastic element;the elastic element is a first elastic element, the two contiguous contact elements being further directly connected by a second elastic element, the first and second elastic elements being connected to the contact elements by a parallel connection; the adapter extends from the proximal portion to the distal portion in an axial direction, the adapter being hollow so as to have a recess in the axial direction, the recess opening outside the adapter through the proximal portion and through the distal portion, the adapter comprising an optical insulation wall surrounding the recess, the wall comprising an outer portion opaque to electromagnetic radiation, and an inner portion reflective for the electromagnetic radiation, the electromagnetic radiation being intended to be used for non-destructive testing;and the optical isolation wall is deformable, the wall preferably comprising a fabric, plastic, accordion pleated portions or sections configured to fit together in the axial direction.;

[0012] The invention also relates to a non-destructive testing system using electromagnetic radiation comprising

[0013] - a non-destructive testing device using electromagnetic radiation, the device comprising a radiation source and a radiation detector,

[0014] - an adapter as presented above, the proximal part being rigidly fixed to the non-destructive testing device.

[0015] The invention finally relates to a method for non-destructive testing of a part by radiation, comprising the following steps:

[0016] - bringing a contact element of a control system into contact with the part,

[0017] - application of a force on the contact element, and

[0018] - displacement of the contact element relative to the rest of the system under the action of the force and deformation of the system following the shape of the part.

[0019] Such a method is advantageously and optionally completed by the following steps of emitting radiation through the control system towards the room, and of acquiring through the control system a temporal response of heat diffusion in the room.

[0020] DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0021] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the following description, which is purely illustrative and non-limiting, and must be read in conjunction with the appended drawings in which:

[0022] - Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an adapter according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0023] - Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a part of the adapter shown in Figure 1; and

[0024] - figures 3 and 4 are schematic representations of a non-destructive testing system according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0025] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With reference to figures 1, 3 and 4, a non-destructive testing device 22 using electromagnetic radiation comprises a radiation source 24 and a radiation detector 26.

[0026] The radiation source and the radiation detector are located in a housing of the device open to the outside. The housing has an opening 23 of the device. The radiation source and the radiation detector are oriented opposite the opening 23 of the device. This orientation thus defines a front face of the device 22. The opening 23 is for example a flat surface perpendicular to a first direction, a direction which in Figures 1, 3 and 4 corresponds to an axial direction A.

[0027] The source 24 and the detector 26 are oriented towards the outside of the device 22.

[0028] A flash lamp, an incandescent lamp, a halogen lamp, a laser diode or an electrical resistor can be used as a radiation source 24.

[0029] The radiation source 24 is configured to emit radiation propagating in the first direction away from the device 22. The emitted radiation then passes through the opening 23.

[0030] An infrared camera, a visible camera or a detector from another spectral range can be used as radiation detector 26.

[0031] The radiation detector 26 is configured to detect radiation propagating in the first direction as it approaches the device 22. The received radiation then passes through the opening 23. In particular, the detector 26 can be centered on the first direction.

[0032] The control device 22 may be of the active or multispectral thermography type.

[0033] The non-destructive testing device 22 also comprises a cover 25 which covers the device with the exception of the opening 23. The cover 25, which may be made of plastic or metal, makes it possible to block electromagnetic radiation which would reach the device outside the opening 23.

[0034] The control device may comprise a cable passage 27 for supplying the source 24 and the detector 26 and for transmitting the information measured by the detector 26.

[0035] The cable passage 27 may be provided in the cover 25, for example at the rear of the device 22, that is to say opposite the front face of the device 22, front face defined by the opening 23.

[0036] Preferably, the device takes a parallelepiped shape, the opening taking a rectangular shape.

[0037] Adapter for non-destructive testing device using electromagnetic radiation

[0038] With reference to Figure 1, an adapter 1 for a non-destructive testing device using electromagnetic radiation comprises a proximal part 3 configured to be attached to a non-destructive testing device 22 using electromagnetic radiation and a distal part 5 configured to be brought into contact with a part to be tested. The part to be tested is not shown in the figures.

[0039] The adapter 1 extends in an axial direction A from the proximal part 3 to the distal part 5. In this way, when the proximal part 3 is fixed to a control device 22 and when the distal part 5 is brought into contact with a part to be controlled, the adapter is located between the control device 22 and the part to be controlled.

[0040] Preferably, the adapter takes a parallelepiped shape, the proximal part 3 having a rectangular shape in section orthogonal to the axial direction A. The proximal part 3 forms a rectangular frame which can be attached to the non-destructive testing device.

[0041] The adapter 1 may be hollow so as to have a recess 30 in the axial direction A. The recess 30 opens out to the outside of the adapter 1 through, on the one hand, the proximal part 3 and through the distal part 5. In other words, the adapter 1 is traversed right through in the axial direction A by the recess 30.

[0042] By fixing the proximal part 3 to the non-destructive testing device 22, the recess 30 can be placed in the extension of the opening 23, the first direction and the axial direction A then being merged. Radiation emitted by the source 24 in the first direction or respectively radiation propagating in the first direction towards the detector 26 can thus pass through the adapter 1 after leaving the source 24 or respectively before reaching the detector 26.

[0043] The adapter 1 may also comprise an optical isolation wall 28 surrounding the recess 30. In this way, radiation which would arrive at the wall 28 would be stopped.

[0044] The wall 28 extends around the axial direction A from the proximal portion 3 to the distal portion 5. In this way, when the adapter 1 is hollow so as to have the recess 30, only radiation passing through the recess 30 without touching the wall 28 can be transmitted through the adapter.

[0045] The adapter may comprise, for example, a plurality of rods, each rod being fixed to the proximal part 3 and extending in the axial direction A around the recess 30. The wall 28 or protection surrounds the plurality of rods and makes it possible, for example, to form an axial tunnel of rectangular section opening outside the adapter. The axial tunnel corresponds to the recess 30. The plurality of rods may comprise four rods, each fixed to a corner of the rectangular shape of the proximal part 3. The plurality of rods may comprise four other rods parallel to the previous ones and distributed on the four sides of the frame.

[0046] It is possible to seek to isolate the radiative exchanges between the device and the part from the external environment, that is to say to ensure that the energy emitted by the device towards the part is the only energy received by the part and conversely that the energy emitted by the part towards the device is the only energy received by the device. It is possible to seek to isolate the radiative exchanges in particular to avoid disturbing the excitation of the part by the device, the diffusion phenomenon and the signal acquired from the diffusion in the part by the detector. It is also possible to seek to isolate the radiative exchanges to avoid flashes of light dazzling the operators. For this purpose, the wall 28 may comprise an external part 281 opaque to radiation, such as for example the radiation emitted by the source 24.The outer portion 281 of the wall 28 may be made of opaque fabric made from nylon and cotton, or from polyamide and elastane or synthetic rubber.

[0047] In addition, the wall 28 may comprise, for example, an internal portion 282 reflecting radiation, such as, for example, the radiation emitted by the source 24. The internal portion 282 of the wall 28 may comprise a gold or silver coating.

[0048] Contact element

[0049] The adapter 1 comprises a contact element 7 forming a free end. The contact element 7 is included in the distal portion 5 of the adapter. The contact element 7 is intended to come into direct contact with the part to be tested. The contact element 7 is mounted to be movable relative to the proximal portion 3 so that the distal portion 5 deforms when a force is exerted on the contact element 7. In particular, when the force is exerted in the axial direction A, the contact element 7 can be moved in this direction. At the location of the distal portion 5 occupied by the contact element 7, there is then a deformation of the distal portion 5. The distal portion 5 has at this location a length in the axial direction A which is shorter or longer depending on whether the contact element 7 has been brought closer to the proximal portion 3 or moved away from the proximal portion 3.

[0050] The adapter comprises a contact element mounted to be movable relative to the proximal portion so that by applying a force to the contact element, the distal portion can deform to better press against a part to be inspected. This deformation depends on the shape of the part, so that the adapter more closely matches the shape of the part. It becomes possible to automatically approach the device towards the part to be inspected, without damaging it. For example, the adapter 1 comprises a deformable member 11 linked to the contact element 7 so as to mount the contact element 7 movable relative to the proximal portion 3. For example, the deformable member can be fixed on one side to the proximal portion 3 and on the other side to the contact element 7. Thus, when the deformable member 11 deforms, the distance between the contact element 7 and the proximal portion 3 changes, which makes it possible to mount the contact element 7 movable relative to the proximal portion 3.

[0051] The deformable member 11 may in particular be deformable in the axial direction A.

[0052] The deformable member 11 is advantageously chosen from a compression spring, a single-acting cylinder or a double-acting cylinder. The spring and the cylinder are advantageously oriented to deform in the axial direction A.

[0053] When the adapter comprises a plurality of rods, at least one of the rods can be chosen to be deformable in the axial direction A. A contact element can be fixed to the end of the rod.

[0054] Figures 1, 3 and 4 represent the case of a deformable organ in the form of a single-acting cylinder.

[0055] The deformable member 11 can be connected to the contact element 7 either rigidly or by a pivot connection, or by a ball joint connection.

[0056] In the first case, there is no significant movement possible between the deformable member 11 and the contact element 7.

[0057] In the second case, there is a significant movement possible between the deformable member 11 and the contact element 7 which is a rotational movement in a single direction.

[0058] In the third case, there is a possible significant movement between the deformable member 11 and the contact element 7 which is a rotational movement in the three directions of space. This case is represented in figure 2 where two contact elements 7 are each linked to a deformable member 11 according to a ball joint 13.

[0059] The contact element can be made of Teflon, elastomer or aluminum.

[0060] The contact element can be obtained by 3D printing of fused polymer threads, for example polyethylene.

[0061] Advantageously, when the adapter comprises a contact element mounted to move relative to the proximal portion, the adapter may comprise an optical isolation wall 28 which is deformable. In particular, the wall 28 may be deformed in the axial direction A, i.e., depending on a stress applied to the wall 28, the length of the wall 28 in the axial direction may vary. The wall 28 may be shortened or lengthened in the axial direction. The deformable nature of the wall 28 is local, i.e., for different angular positions defined around the axial direction A, the wall 28 may take different lengths in the axial direction A. The wall 28 may be made deformable by incorporating therein a fabric, plastic, pleated portions, and in particular accordion-pleated portions or sections configured to fit together in the axial direction.Figure 4 illustrates the example of a wall comprising accordion pleated portions in the axial direction A. The accordion pleated portions or sections configured to fit together in the axial direction have sufficient mechanical clearance to allow different lengths of the wall 28 in the axial direction A at different angular positions around the axial direction A.

[0062] The device can only be in partial contact with the part. When the device and the part come into contact, gaps of varying size are created between them. These gaps prevent the isolation of exchanges between the device and the part from the external environment. In other words, the energy emitted by the device to the part is not the only energy received by the part and conversely the energy emitted by the part to the device is not the only energy received by the device. This disrupts the excitation of the part by the device, the diffusion phenomenon and the signal acquired from the diffusion in the part by the detector. Furthermore, the flashes of light passing through the gaps can dazzle operators.

[0063] The adapter comprising a contact element mounted movably relative to the proximal portion and an optical isolation wall 28 which is deformable makes it possible to reduce the gaps between the adapter and the part to be analyzed. By deforming, the distal portion causes a deformation of the wall. The distal portion conforms to the shape of the part and the adapter isolates the radiative exchanges between the device and the part from the external environment.

[0064] Shape of the contact element

[0065] Advantageously, and as illustrated in Figure 2, the contact element 7 has rounded or chamfered edges 9. Such edges make it possible to reduce and limit the scratches inflicted on the part to be checked when the contact element 7 comes into contact with it.

[0066] In a first embodiment, the contact element has a spherical shape. Advantageously, the contact element has this shape when the deformable member 11 is rigidly connected to the contact element 7. The rigid connection may in particular be configured so that the deformable member is aligned in a direction which passes through the center of the spherical shape.

[0067] In a second embodiment, the contact element has a parallelepiped shape. In particular, the contact element may take the form of a pad, as shown in Figure 2. This parallelepiped shape is defined by three distances: a length, a width and a depth. The length is greater than the width, which is itself greater than the depth. The pad is preferably oriented so that the depth extends mainly in the axial direction A, the length and the depth then extending in directions orthogonal to each other and orthogonal to the axial direction A.

[0068] Advantageously, the contact element has this parallelepiped shape when the deformable member 11 is connected to the contact element 7 either by a pivot connection or by a ball joint connection. In this way, when the contact element 7 comes into contact with the part to be checked, the pad is oriented to better match the shape of the part, i.e. to increase a contact surface between the part and the pad.

[0069] The adapter may be configured so that the deformable member is aligned in a direction that passes through the axis of rotation of the pivot connection or the center of rotation of the ball joint. This increases the stability of the contact and reduces gaps during contact. Advantageously, the pivot connection or the ball joint may be placed in the center of the contact element 7. Plurality of sets “or deformable member” and “contact element”

[0070] The adapter 1 may comprise a plurality of contact elements 7, each contact element 7 being mounted to move relative to the proximal part 3.

[0071] The contact elements 7 may all have the same shape, for example a spherical or parallelepiped shape. The contact elements 7 may also alternatively have different shapes.

[0072] Advantageously, each contact element 7 is mounted to move relative to the proximal part 3 via a deformable member 11. The adapter 1 then comprises a plurality of deformable members 11, each deformable member 11 being associated with a contact element 7 so as to form a deformable member 11 + contact element 7 assembly. The adapter 1 then comprises a plurality of “deformable member 11 + contact element 7” assemblies.

[0073] The various contact elements can be arranged in different ways and in particular they can be aligned along a closed perimeter. This closed perimeter gives the shape of the distal part. This perimeter can be polygonal in shape such as a square, a rhombus, a rectangle, a parallelogram, a hexagon, an octagon or even circular or ellipsoidal in shape. Figures 1, 3 and 4 illustrate the case of a perimeter that takes a square shape.

[0074] Along this closed perimeter, the contact elements may be regularly distributed, i.e. the distance between two adjacent contact elements - i.e. two nearest neighboring contact elements - is constant from one pair of adjacent contact elements to another pair of adjacent elements. Here, a constant distance is understood to mean a distance that does not vary by more than 5% from one pair of adjacent contact elements to another pair of adjacent elements. Adjacent elements may be defined as contiguous when they are in contact with each other or almost in contact with each other.

[0075] When the various contact elements are aligned along a closed perimeter, this perimeter is a distal perimeter. The various deformable members are advantageously oriented along the axial direction A and fixed to the proximal part according to fixing points which are distributed along a proximal perimeter of the same shape as the distal perimeter. When the contact elements are regularly distributed along the distal perimeter, the fixing points are advantageously regularly distributed along the proximal perimeter.

[0076] In the case where the perimeter has a polygonal shape and therefore defines vertices, two contact elements located at the vertices can be beveled in a complementary manner and facing each other so as to define the vertex of the polygonal shape. Alternatively, and with reference to Figure 2, a contact element 7 located at a vertex can have a shape having two sub-parts 7A and 7B on either side of the vertex, the first sub-part 7A defining an angle relative to the second sub-part 7B, the angle corresponding to the angular deviation of the perimeter at the vertex. In the example of Figure 2, this angle is a right angle.

[0077] In the case where the contact elements each take an identical parallelepiped shape, the length of each shape can be oriented according to the perimeter and the width can be oriented orthogonally to the perimeter.

[0078] It is possible to connect two adjacent contact elements by an elastic element. In this way, the movements of the contact elements 7 in contact with the part to be tested are dependent on each other.

[0079] In the case where the contact elements each take an identical parallelepiped shape, the contact elements can advantageously be arranged two by two contiguous, two contiguous contact elements being directly linked by an elastic element 17. This additional link makes it possible to maintain continuity of the perimeter defined by the different contact elements 7.

[0080] Preferably, each pair of two contiguous contact elements can be connected by two elastic elements 17 connected to the contact elements by a parallel assembly. This connection between two contiguous elements also makes it possible to prevent rotation of one contact element relative to the other around an elastic element.

[0081] When the adapter 1 comprises a plurality of contact elements 7 and also comprises a deformable optical insulation wall 28 surrounding the recess 30, the insulation wall 28 can be fixed on an outer edge of the various contact elements. In this way, the entry of radiation into the adapter or the exit of radiation from the adapter is limited between the contact elements 7 and the proximal part 3.

[0082] Non-destructive testing system for a part using radiation

[0083] A non-destructive testing system is also proposed comprising an adapter 1 as presented up to now and a non-destructive testing device using electromagnetic radiation also presented earlier in the text. In such a non-destructive testing system using electromagnetic radiation, the proximal part of the adapter 1 is rigidly fixed to the non-destructive testing device 22.

[0084] The system may advantageously further comprise a carriage and a robotic arm associated with a control system, the carriage supporting the robotic arm and the robotic arm supporting the non-destructive testing device. The robotic arm is configured to move and orient the device in space. It is thus possible to place the device precisely opposite the part to be tested. The robotic arm can then press the testing device against the part so as to deform the distal part of the adapter. The distal part is thus adapted to the shape of the part to be tested. Once the measurement has been carried out, the robotic arm can move the device and place it opposite another part of the part to be tested to carry out a second acquisition.

[0085] Non-destructive testing process of a part by radiation

[0086] The invention further relates to a method of this type comprising the following steps:

[0087] - bringing a contact element of a control system into contact with the part,

[0088] - application of a force on the contact element, and

[0089] - displacement of the contact element relative to the rest of the system under the action of the force and deformation of the system following the shape of the part.

[0090] Advantageously, it is possible to use an adapter comprising a plurality of contact elements 7, the number of which is fixed according to the geometry of the part to be checked.

[0091] The geometry of the part to be checked can in particular be defined by an average length, noted L, of the part and an average radius of curvature, noted R, of the part.

[0092] For this purpose, the method may include a step of determining the average length L and the average radius of curvature R of the part. For example, a rangefinder or a time-of-flight (ToF) camera may be used to determine the average radius of curvature R by determining a relative distance between the rangefinder and the part. A robot may be used to determine the total length to be inspected.

[0093] The number of contact elements can be set based on the average length and the average radius of curvature. For example, one can choose to increase the number of contact elements when the average radius of curvature decreases, or when the average length increases.

[0094] Such variation can be based in particular on the ratio of the mean curvature radius to the mean length, and one can choose to increase the number of contact elements when the ratio of the mean curvature radius to the mean length decreases. In this way, it is possible to adapt the number of pads to the structure or geometry of the part to be inspected.

[0095] One way to set the number of contact elements may include the following steps:

[0096] - determination of an integer part of a ratio of the mean radius of curvature to the mean length, and

[0097] - determination of a difference between the number ten and the whole part, the number of contact elements included in the adapter being equal to four times the difference.

[0098] Noting E as the integer part function and N as the number of contact elements, the previous steps consist of carrying out the following calculation: N=4x(10 - E(R / L)).

[0099] Optionally, when the contact elements are distributed along a closed square-shaped perimeter, it is also possible to choose the number of contact elements 7 per side of the square equal to 10 - E(R / L).

[0100] For the special case where this integer part is greater than or equal to 10, eight contact elements may be sufficient, for example one contact element per side of the square plus one contact element per corner of the square.

[0101] Finally, it is possible to add the following steps to the non-destructive testing process:

[0102] - emission through the control system of radiation towards the room, and

[0103] - acquisition through the control system of a temporal response of heat diffusion in the room.

[0104] Processing of the acquired image can also be implemented to identify possible local thermal contrasts associated with defects in the part in the imaged area.

[0105] The method can be implemented to image a second area and for this purpose, it can be provided to move the system back from the part to be inspected and to shift the system from the area already inspected to inspect a second area of ​​the part.

[0106] The steps previously presented for imaging and analyzing the first area can be implemented for imaging and analyzing the second area.

[0107] Multiple areas can be imaged and analyzed in succession. The part to be inspected can be divided into different zones that define its entire surface so that a complete scan of the part can be performed by imaging and analyzing the different areas.

[0108] The system's movements, transmission and acquisition sequences can be automated using a central control system. A central control system can, for example, include a trolley and a robotic arm associated with a control system, as presented previously.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Adapter (1) for non-destructive testing device using electromagnetic radiation, the adapter (1) comprising: - a proximal portion (3) configured to be attached to a control device, and - a distal part (5) comprising a contact element (7) forming a free end and mounted to move relative to the proximal part (3) so that the distal part (5) deforms when a force is exerted on the contact element (7), - a deformable member (11) linked to the contact element (7) so as to mount the contact element (7) movable relative to the proximal part (3), the deformable member (11) preferably being a compression spring, a single-acting cylinder or a double-acting cylinder, the contact element (7) being linked to the deformable member according to a ball joint or pivot connection (13), the contact element (7) having a parallelepiped shape.

2. Adapter according to claim 1 wherein the contact element (7) has rounded or chamfered edges (9).

3. Adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 2 in which the contact element (7) and the deformable member (11) form a first assembly (15), the adapter comprising a plurality of assemblies (15).

4. Adapter according to claim 3 wherein the contact elements are arranged two by two contiguous, two contiguous contact elements being directly connected by an elastic element (17).

5. Adapter according to claim 4 wherein the elastic element (17) is a first elastic element, the two contiguous contact elements being further directly connected by a second elastic element, the first and second elastic elements being connected to the contact elements by a parallel assembly.

6. An adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the adapter extends from the proximal portion (3) to the distal portion (5) in an axial direction (A), the adapter being hollow so as to have a recess (30) in the axial direction (A), the recess (30) opening outside the adapter (1) through the proximal portion (3) and through the distal portion (5), the adapter (1) comprising an optical insulation wall (28) surrounding the recess (30), the wall (28) comprising an external portion (281) opaque to electromagnetic radiation, and an internal portion (282) reflective for the electromagnetic radiation, the electromagnetic radiation being intended to be used for non-destructive testing.

7. Adapter according to claim 6 wherein the optical isolation wall (28) is deformable, the wall preferably comprising a fabric, plastic, accordion pleated parts or sections configured to fit together in the axial direction.

8. Non-destructive testing system (20) using electromagnetic radiation comprising - a non-destructive testing device (22) using electromagnetic radiation, the device comprising a radiation source (24) and a radiation detector (26), - an adapter (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, the proximal part (3) being rigidly fixed to the non-destructive testing device (22).

9. Method for non-destructive testing of a part by radiation, comprising the following steps: - bringing a contact element of a control system into contact with the part, - application of a force on the contact element, and - displacement of the contact element relative to the rest of the system under the action of the force and deformation of the system following the shape of the part, the deformation comprising a rotation of the contact element relative to the rest of the control system.

10. Method according to claim 9, comprising the following steps: - emission through the control system of radiation towards the room, and - acquisition through the control system of a temporal response of heat diffusion in the room.