The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 06, 2022
Filed:
Apr. 09, 2019
Jentek Sensors, Inc., Marlborough, MA (US);
Neil J Goldfine, Cocoa Beach, FL (US);
Todd M Dunford, Amherst, MA (US);
JENTEK Sensors, Inc., Marlborough, MA (US);
Abstract
Eddy current sensing is governed by the diffusion equation of magnetoquasistatic fields. As such the eddy current sensor's proximity to the object to be inspected (i.e., 'liftoff') significantly affects the sensor's response signal. Methods and apparatus are disclosed for improving performance for an eddy current sensor, though they may also be used for other sensor types. These solutions are beneficial for both single channel eddy current sensors and arrays, and are particularly beneficial for measuring parts with complex surfaces. In some aspects improved performance is achieved by varying the stiffness of the mechanical support for the sensor. Some mechanical supports may exhibit anisotropic stiffness. After performing a scan with an eddy current array, a multi-channel shape filtering module is applied to improve defect detection. The module reduces the variability of defect response measured due to the unpredictability of the defect location transverse to the scan direction.