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. 03, 2013
Filed:
May. 13, 2010
Johannes L. Vrana, Berlin, DE;
Hubert Mooshofer, Munich, DE;
Matthias Goldammer, Munich, DE;
Max Rothenfusser, Munich, DE;
Wolfgang Heine, Unterhaching, DE;
Johannes L. Vrana, Berlin, DE;
Hubert Mooshofer, Munich, DE;
Matthias Goldammer, Munich, DE;
Max Rothenfusser, Munich, DE;
Wolfgang Heine, Unterhaching, DE;
Siemens Energy, Inc., Orlando, FL (US);
Abstract
Automated inspection system and method are provided for nondestructive inspection and evaluation of an electrically-conductive workpiece based on induction thermography. A movable carriage () may be arranged to translate the workpiece in an inspection location (). An induction coilis disposed at the inspection location. The induction coil is responsive to an excitation current to induce a flow of electrical current in a region of interest of the workpiece. A thermographic camera () is disposed at the inspection location. The thermographic camera is arranged to capture data indicative of a thermal response resulting from the flow of electrical current. A computer system () is configured to process the data from the thermographic camera to generate an indication of a presence of a discontinuity (e.g., a subsurface crack) in the workpiece.