Jentek Sensors, Incorporated

Christopher Root

Neil J Goldfine

Andrew P Washabaugh

Darrell E Schlicker

David C Grundy

Vladimir A Zilberstein

Mark D Windoloski

Vladimir B Tsukernik

Ian C Shay

Robert J Lyons

Christopher A Craven

Volker Weiss

Ian C Shav

Combined wound and micro-fabricated winding constructs are described for the inspection of materials and the detection and characterization of hidden features or flaws. These constructs can be configured as sensors or sensor arrays that are surface mounted or scanned over conducting and/or magnetizable test materials. The well-defined geometry obtained micro-fabricated windings and from carefully wound coils with known winding positions permits the use of model based inversions of sensed responses into material properties. In a preferred embodiment, the primary winding is a wound coil and the sense elements are etched or printed. The drive or sense windings can also be mounted under fasteners to improve sensitivity to hidden flaws. Ferrites and other means may be used to guide the magnetic flux and enhance the magnetic field in the test material.

Hybrid wound/etched winding constructs for scanning and monitoring

Observability of damage precursor, damage and usage states, or event occurrence may be enhanced by modifying component materials to include self-monitoring materials or by processing test material to alter the surface properties. The properties of the self monitoring materials, such as magnetic permeability or electrical conductivity, are monitored with electromagnetic sensors and provide greater property variations with component condition than the original component material. Processing includes shot peening or laser welding.

Self-monitoring metals, alloys and materials

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Somerville, MA, United States of America

Christopher Root