Southwest Research Institute

Gary Lane Burkhardt

Hegeon Kwun

Jay L Fisher

Alfred Eugene Crouch

Albert Joseph Parvin, Jr

Ronald Herbert Peterson

Todd Hegert Goyen

Arthur Edwin Nicholls

Walter Mac Gray

Alexander Beltran Bernardo

James Derwin King

Eric C Peterson

Clinton Thwing

Cecil M Teller

George A Matzkanin

Richard Franklin Tennis

John R Barton

A method and system for measuring radial strain on powder or other granular material while the powder is subject to compressive axial and radial loading. The powder is contained within a pliable sleeve. As pressure is applied to the powder, the sleeve changes diameter. An optical emitter emits a beam of light, which is intersected by the entire diameter of the sleeve. An optical sensor receives the intersected beam, and generates a response signal that indicates the diameter of the sleeve. This change in diameter can be related to a constitutive property such as strain.

Measurement of constitutive properties of a powder subject to compressive axial and radial loading, using optical sensing

The present disclosure relates to a device and method for pipeline inspection, The inspection device may include an exciter coil capable of providing an alternating current magnetic field and producing eddy currents. A plurality of sensors may then be provided which are capable of sensing a magnetic field produced by the eddy currents and the sensors may be engaged with a sensor shoe. The sensors may then be capable of being positioned at a first distance Dwith respect to an inner pipe wall surface and capable of providing coupling to the magnetic field produced by the eddy currents. The sensor shoe may also be capable of retracting to a second distance D, wherein D&#x3c;D. The sensor shoe may be connected to a sensor support arm wherein the support arm may be pivotably attached to a fixed hub and to a control arm which control arm may then be pivotably attached to a driven hub.

Pipeline inspection using variable-diameter remote-field eddy current technology

A device and methods for using the device, that permit the rapid and accurate inspection of aircraft wing attachment fittings, including those wing to fuselage attachments modified according to a Structural Life Extension Program (SLEP). Such aircraft life extension programs often result in the placement of fitting stack-up components that tend to challenge the ability of standard inspection sensors and techniques to achieve accurate readings. A specially designed, contact compliant, Electric Current Perturbation (ECP) probe is used. The ECP probe positions a receive coil in conjunction with a drive coil (and its ferrite core) in a manner that minimizes steel interferences in the inspection area. The ECP probe works with conventional eddy current instrumentation with an index scanner to allow for flaw location within a particular stack-up layer and/or within the area around the attachment aperture. Data acquired through the use of the system and method of the present invention allows for the rapid discernment of flaws and defects in the area adjacent the probe placement.

Apparatus and method for second-layer through-bushing inspection of aircraft wing attachment fittings using electric current perturbation

A method and system for measuring constitutive properties, such as radial strain, on a specimen of power or other granular material while the specimen is subject to compressive axial and radial loading. The specimen fills a pliable sleeve that has a conductive band around its circumference. An eddy current coil is placed around the sleeve, and used to provide a response signal that indicates the diameter of the sleeve, which in turn indicates radial strain.

Measurement of constitutive properties of a powder specimen subject to compressive axial and radial loading, using eddy current sensing

The present disclosure relates to a variable diameter electromagnetic coil. The coil may include a coil winding containing inner and outer winding layers. The coil may incorporate a first hub including one or a plurality of inner supports, one of the inner supports connected to a location on the inner winding layer. A second hub may then be provided including one or a plurality of outer supports, one of the outer supports connected to a location on the outer winding layer. One of the first or second hubs may be capable of rotating to cause the coil winding to wind or unwind. An interconnect hub may then be provided which may be capable of providing electrical connection to the coil winding.

Variable-diameter electromagnetic coil

The system and method provides a means for inspecting pipelines that have obstructions which prevent conventional inspection pigs from passing the obstructions. The invention uses remote-field eddy current inspection techniques and a uniquely configured excitation coil for inline inspection of pipelines having valves and other fittings that severely restrict or prevent the use of conventional inspection pigs. A unique collapsible excitation coil and a collapsible sensor array enables an inspection pig using these features to pass pipeline obstructions that prevent passage by conventional inspection pigs. The collapsible coil and sensor array provide means for reducing the diameter of an inspection pig to enable it to pass obstructions in the pipeline.

System and method using a collapsable coil for inspection of pipelines having internal restrictions

A method and system for performing in-line measurement of stresses in pipeline walls by continuous Barkhausen method comprises an inspection pig including permanent or DC electromagnets for generating a magnetic field that moves with the inspection pig through a pipeline, inductive or other types of magnetic field sensors for reading Barkhausen noise signals generated by the moving magnetic field, and associated instrumentation for amplifying, filtering, detecting and storing the Barkhausen noise signals. The size of the sensors may be selected to match the size of defects being investigated. By comparing trending data over time to determine changes in Barkhausen noise levels, greater detection sensitivity may be achieved. The method may be particularly advantageous for use in inspection pigs that also use magnetic flux leakage to determine pipeline defects, since the magnetic flux leakage method also use permanent or DC electromagnets.

System and method for in-line stress measurement by continuous Barkhausen method

The invention provides an electronic circuit means for injecting virtual flaw signals into the signal path between a NDT test instrument and an associated probe. This enables a system that is capable of generating virtual flaw signals to present virtual flaws to an NDT inspector while enabling the test probe to present actual flaws to the NDT inspector. An eddy current test (ECT) embodiment of the invention comprises a means for deriving a reference signal from an ECT instrument excitation signal, a means for modulating the gain and phase of the reference signal by commands from a control computer, and a means for summing the modulated signal with the ECT probe output signal for transmission to the ECT instrument.

Method and system for injecting virtual flaw signals into a nondestructive test system

A device and method for the non-contact measurement of dynamic torsion in a rotating shaft using magnetostrictive sensors (MsS). The monitoring and detection system has specially configured magnetostrictive signal detectors that include inductive pick-up coils, in which signals corresponding to localized shaft torques are induced. The basic system sensor utilizes either a permanent DC bias magnet positioned adjacent the rotating shaft or applies a residual magnetic field to the shaft. The techniques described in conjunction with the system are particularly advantageous for on-line monitoring of loaded rotating shafts that are integral parts of power trains, by providing a low-cost and a long-term sensor for acquiring dynamic data of the shaft portion of the machinery system being monitored and/or controlled.

Measurement of torsional dynamics of rotating shafts using magnetostrictive sensors

The system and method provides an NDT inspector with a realistic simulation of inspecting a test piece while injecting virtual flaws for display on an NDT instrument, while also presenting actual flaws to the inspector. A conventional NDT test probe and instrument are connected to the system at the probe leads interface. The system provides means for monitoring probe position and probe liftoff, means for storing virtual flaw signals and associated locations on a test piece, and means for providing a virtual flaw signal to the NDT instrumentation to simulate the response of the actual probe. The invention provides for nondestructive test method qualification and probability of detection determination, for establishing and maintaining nondestructive testing proficiency of inspectors, for periodically presenting flaw signals to inspectors during routine inspections, and for ensuring sufficient scan coverage for detection of material defects in a test piece.

System and method for nondestructive testing simulation

A nondestructive method for inspecting steel pipelines for plastically deformed regions caused by mechanical damage to the pipeline. The invention is a method and system that uses nonlinear harmonic detection methods to detect mechanical damage in pipelines. The invention uses a time-varying magnetic field to sense magnetic properties of the pipeline. The odd-numbered harmonic frequencies are detected and their amplitudes are related to the magnetic condition of the material under test to determine areas of mechanical damage. This technique can be used for rapidly surveying stress states in pipelines where nonlinear harmonic sensing devices are attached to a pigging device moving through a pipeline at a relatively high rate of speed.

Method and system for detecting and characterizing mechanical damage in pipelines using nonlinear harmonics techniques

A system and method for nondestructive testing of a workpiece having a metallic protective coating utilizing nonlinear harmonics techniques to determine degradation within the metallic protective coating. The invention use a time-varying magnetic field to sense magnetic properties of the protective coating. The odd-numbered harmonic frequencies are detected and their amplitudes are related to the magnetic condition of the material under test to determine coating degradation. When no harmonic signal caused by an induced magnetic field is detected, the coating is not degraded. When a harmonic signal is detected, the coating has degraded. Nonlinear harmonics techniques are used to determine the amount of coating degradation.

Nonlinear harmonics method and system for measuring degradation in protective coatings

A method for rapidly detecting and locating reinforcing steel corrosion in concrete structures using non-linear harmonic and intermodulated frequencies of electromagnetic signals. The method comprises transmitting either a single primary frequency or two primary frequencies into the concrete structure in the general direction of the reinforcing steel. The reflected/generated signal, which is composed of the primary frequencies and of various harmonics and intermodulation components, is received, filtered, and amplified. A third order harmonic frequency is isolated with a band pass filter, is amplified, and is compared with the amplitudes of the primary frequencies. Intermodulation frequencies, primarily the combination of the primary of a frequency and the second harmonic of a second frequency, or the primary of a second frequency and the second harmonic of a first frequency, are isolated by appropriate band pass filter, are amplified, and are compared with the primary frequency or frequencies. The comparative amplitudes of these harmonics or intermodulation frequencies are displayed and recorded, and are correlated with a degree of corrosion in the reinforcing steel.

Detection of reinforcing steel corrosion in concrete structures using

A non-destructive method for evaluating ropes, cables, and strands for flaws and tension is shown. The method permits detecting flaws by recognizing certain vibrational wave amplitude and distribution patterns resulting from striking a test subject with a transverse force. Tension on a test subject is calculated by measuring propagation velocity of the vibrational waves through the test subject. An apparatus is provided which produces vibrational waves in a test subject, measures the amplitude and time distribution of the waves, and displays the measurements for analysis.

Non-destructive evaluation of ropes by using transverse impulse

This disclosure is directed to an acoustic Barkhausen stress detector apparatus and a method of obtaining measurements of stress in or determination of the microstructure of ferromagnetic materials. In the preferred and illustrated embodiment, stress or microstructure information in a ferromagnetic specimen is tested and measured through application of a variable magnetic field. A sensitive acoustic detecting device including an input transducer(s) and amplifier(s) forms a signal based on Barkhausen acoustic phenomena which arise from a change in the magnetic field strength. Barkhausen acoustic information is in the form of vibrations produced within the material which occur as magnetic domain walls shift. The domain wall shifts occur at various locations within the material of interest, and the acoustic vibrations are propagated through the material and are observable at the surface by one or more transducers. The transducer and amplifier system forms output signals dependent on the stress levels and influenced by the microstructure in the material. After amplification and display on a suitable recording device, the signals are scaled to relate the stress and microstructure within the specimen. An array of transducers and associated amplifiers enables spatial resolution of stress distribution in a specimen.

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Adkins, TX, United States of America

Gary Lane Burkhardt