A probe 100 includes exciter units 102 arranged in an array and detector units 104 and 106, also arranged in arrays, with the arrays positioned proximal to and in the shape of the exterior circumference of an individual boiler tube 108. The detector units 104 are “absolute” coil detectors which are used to detect and quantify general wall loss, for example, resulting from steam impingement erosion. The detectors 106 are differential, axial pairs which are used for detecting pits in the boiler tubers. The exciter units and detector units are mounted in a stainless steel housing 110 of the probe. The housing 110 is shaped to closely match the contour of the boiler tube 108. The probe can be moved along the boiler tubes by hand to inspect the flame side of boiler tubes, one at a time. Wheels 112 are provided to roll the probe along the boiler tubes.

A probe 100 includes exciter units 102 arranged in an array and detector units 104 and 106, also arranged in arrays, with the arrays positioned proximal to and in the shape of the exterior circumference of an individual boiler tube 108. The detector units 104 are “absolute” coil detectors which are used to detect and quantify general wall loss, for example, resulting from steam impingement erosion. The detectors 106 are differential, axial pairs which are used for detecting pits in the boiler tubers. The exciter units and detector units are mounted in a stainless steel housing 110 of the probe. The housing 110 is shaped to closely match the contour of the boiler tube 108. The probe can be moved along the boiler tubes by hand to inspect the flame side of boiler tubes, one at a time. Wheels 112 are provided to roll the probe along the boiler tubes.

A probe 100 includes exciter units 102 arranged in an array and detector units 104 and 106, also arranged in arrays, with the arrays positioned proximal to and in the shape of the exterior circumference of an individual boiler tube 108. The detector units 104 are “absolute” coil detectors which are used to detect and quantify general wall loss, for example, resulting from steam impingement erosion. The detectors 106 are differential, axial pairs which are used for detecting pits in the boiler tubers. The exciter units and detector units are mounted in a stainless steel housing 110 of the probe. The housing 110 is shaped to closely match the contour of the boiler tube 108. The probe can be moved along the boiler tubes by hand to inspect the flame side of boiler tubes, one at a time. Wheels 112 are provided to roll the probe along the boiler tubes.

An apparatus for producing a three-dimensional multilayer object produces a three-dimensional multilayer object by partially applying energy to a conductive powder and thereby melting or sintering and curing the conductive powder. The apparatus for producing a three-dimensional multilayer object includes: a holding unit holding the conductive powder, and holding the cured three-dimensional multilayer object; an energy application unit applying energy to the conductive powder held by the holding unit; a probe disposed spaced apart from a surface layer portion of the cured three-dimensional multilayer object and detecting a flaw in the surface layer portion; and a probe moving mechanism relatively moving the probe with respect to the surface layer portion. The probe contains an excitation coil generating an eddy current in the surface layer portion, and a detection coil detecting a change in a magnetic field of the surface layer portion.

An aspect includes a vehicle that includes rail inspection sensors configured for capturing transducer data describing the rail, and a processor configured for receiving and processing the transducer data in near-real time to determine whether the captured transducer data identifies a suspected rail flaw. The processing includes inputting the captured transducer data to a machine learning system that has been trained to identify patterns in transducer data that indicate rail flaws. The processing also includes receiving an output from the machine learning system, the output indicating whether the captured transducer data identifies a suspected rail flaw. An alert is transmitted to an operator of the vehicle based at least in part on the output indicating that the captured transducer data identifies a suspected rail flaw. The alert includes a location of the suspected rail flaw and instructs the operator to stop the vehicle and to perform a repair action.

Examples of the present subject matter provide techniques for gathering inspection data (e.g., c-scan) from a plurality of probes, such as ECA probes. Each probe may generate inspection data obtained from different in-plane probe orientations on a surface, such as providing indications from disturbances or flaws located in different in-plane directions relative to a probe sensitivity axis. The inspection data may then be combined while indications at different orientations may be preserved and then merged to generate a composite. Pattern recognition using templates defining flaws or abnormalities may then be performed to determine the type of indication, e.g., detrimental flaw or non-detrimental abnormality.

Examples of the present subject matter provide techniques for gathering inspection data (e.g., c-scan) from a plurality of probes, such as ECA probes. Each probe may generate inspection data obtained from different in-plane probe orientations on a surface, such as providing indications from disturbances or flaws located in different in-plane directions relative to a probe sensitivity axis. The inspection data may then be combined while indications at different orientations may be preserved and then merged to generate a composite. Pattern recognition using templates defining flaws or abnormalities may then be performed to determine the type of indication, e.g., detrimental flaw or non-detrimental abnormality.

A system and method for determining fiber orientation within a layered composite using an eddy current probe is discussed. The eddy current probe includes an array of coils that are excited such that an effective pole of the end effector of the probe moves in a ring pattern. The eddy current probe is moved across the surface of a part such that a two-dimensional scan of the part is generated, analogous to a C-scan in ultrasonic testing. The eddy current probe is able to be used to determine the fiber orientation of a layered composite material by scanning at a single point on the material. The eddy current data is able to be fused with data from an ultrasonic transducer to produce a comprehensive view of the part.

A system and method for determining fiber orientation within a layered composite using an eddy current probe is discussed. The eddy current probe includes an array of coils that are excited such that an effective pole of the end effector of the probe moves in a ring pattern. The eddy current probe is moved across the surface of a part such that a two-dimensional scan of the part is generated, analogous to a C-scan in ultrasonic testing. The eddy current probe is able to be used to determine the fiber orientation of a layered composite material by scanning at a single point on the material. The eddy current data is able to be fused with data from an ultrasonic transducer to produce a comprehensive view of the part.

High-speed tubular inspection systems include a frame at least one magnetic flux generator contained in a coil annulus and a detector assembly each having inlet and outlet openings for passing a tubular member there through. The detector assembly has one or more magnetic detectors and one or more eddy current detectors configured to be spaced a first distance from the tubular member during an inspection. The detectors are each contained in one or more EMI detector shoes. A conveyor supports the frame and a drive mechanism configured to drive the tubular member through the coil annulus (or drive the coil annulus past the tubular member) at high-speeds.