Adjustable Eddy Current Probe for Groove Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Eddy current testing probes face challenges in accommodating variations in cross-sectional shapes of groove-shaped members, leading to increased costs and reduced accuracy near corners due to the need for multiple probes and limitations in flexible printed board configurations.
Innovation Solution
An eddy current testing apparatus with a probe featuring a central portion testing probe and edge portion testing probe, including coil holding members, corner positioning members, and testing width adjusting members, allowing for adjustable contact with inner wall surfaces and improved accuracy at corners.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an eddy current testing probe is configured by embedding a coil in a member that conforms to the cross-sectional shape of a groove-shaped member, then the probe can accurately contact the inner wall surface, but another probe must be fabricated for each variation in size or shape of groove-shaped members, resulting in increased cost and time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal eddy current testing probe that can accommodate multiple cross-sectional shapes (rectangular, circular, oval, etc.) through interchangeable coil holding members. The coil holding members are designed with adjustable mechanisms that allow the same probe body to adapt to different groove shapes and sizes, eliminating the need to fabricate separate probes for each variation while maintaining accurate contact with the inner wall surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates adjustable and interchangeable components in the probe design. The coil holding members can be adjusted along the casing and replaced based on the specific inspection requirements. This dynamic configuration allows the probe to adapt to different groove-shaped members during operation, providing both shape conformity and versatility without requiring multiple fixed probes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an eddy current testing probe is configured by forming a coil-shaped wiring on a flexible printed board, then the probe can freely contact groove-shaped members with round shapes in cross section, but the probe cannot exactly contact groove-shaped members with corners due to bending limits, degrading inspection accuracy near corners
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the probe into distinct functional segments: a rigid casing structure for stability, interchangeable coil holding members for shape adaptation, and adjustable mechanisms for positioning. This segmentation allows different parts to optimize their functions - the rigid structure provides stability while the interchangeable components provide adaptability to various shapes including corners, without the limitations of a uniformly flexible printed board.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs adjustable parameters in the coil holding members, such as adjustable positions along the casing and interchangeable designs for different corner radii. By changing these parameters based on the specific groove geometry being inspected, the probe can achieve accurate contact with both round shapes and cornered structures, overcoming the fixed bending limitations of flexible printed boards.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables efficient inspection of groove-shaped members with varying cross-sectional shapes, reducing the need for multiple probes and enhancing accuracy near corners, thereby reducing costs and improving inspection performance.
Implementation Method 1
an alternating magnetic field that is generated by a coil current is applied to the conductive object to be inspected, and disturbance of an eddy current that is induced in the object at that time is detected by a change in coil impedance
Implementation Method 2
an alternating magnetic field that is generated by a coil current is applied to the conductive object to be inspected
Data Source
AI summary
An eddy current testing apparatus includes: an eddy current testing probe having an eddy current testing coil arranged on a bottom portion of a casing; a pressing mechanism configured to press the eddy current testing probe so that the bottom portion of the eddy current testing probe is placed in contact with a part of an inner wall surface of a slot formed in an object to be inspected; a carriage configured to mount the pressing mechanism and the eddy current testing probe, the carriage traveling in a depth direction of the slot; and an eddy current testing control device configured to control defect detection for the inner wall surface of the slot by acquiring a detected eddy current signal from the eddy current testing coil.