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:
Apr. 01, 2008
Filed:
Aug. 10, 2006
Dennis P. Roach, Albuquerque, NM (US);
Phil Walkington, Albuquerque, NM (US);
Kirk A. Rackow, Albuquerque, NM (US);
Ed Hohman, Albuquerque, NM (US);
Dennis P. Roach, Albuquerque, NM (US);
Phil Walkington, Albuquerque, NM (US);
Kirk A. Rackow, Albuquerque, NM (US);
Ed Hohman, Albuquerque, NM (US);
Sandia Corporation, Albuquerque, NM (US);
Abstract
A rotating concave eddy current probe for detecting fatigue cracks hidden from view underneath the head of a raised head fastener, such as a buttonhead-type rivet, used to join together structural skins, such as aluminum aircraft skins. The probe has a recessed concave dimple in its bottom surface that closely conforms to the shape of the raised head. The concave dimple holds the probe in good alignment on top of the rivet while the probe is rotated around the rivet's centerline. One or more magnetic coils are rigidly embedded within the probe's cylindrical body, which is made of a non-conducting material. This design overcomes the inspection impediment associated with widely varying conductivity in fastened joints.