A plurality of signal anomalies are identified in a number of tubes in a steam generator. Since the geometry of the steam generator is known, the location of each signal anomaly along each tube is converted into a location within the interior of the steam generator. If a plurality of signal anomalies are at locations within the steam generator that are within a predetermined proximity of one another, such a spatial confluence of signal anomalies is determined to correspond with a loose part situated within the steam generator. Additional methodologies can be employed to confirm the existence of the loose part. Historic tube sheet transition signal data can be retrieved and subtracted from present signals in order to enable the system to ignore the relatively strong eddy current sensor signal of a tube sheet which would mask the relatively weak signal from a loose part at the tube sheet transition.

A probe device for a rotating head has at least one support arm that is mounted so as to rotate around an axis of rotation, at least one probe that is joined to the support arm, and at least one spring element that can be supported on the rotating head and engages at the support arm and that is provided for exerting a force on the support arm, which, as a result of this force, experiences a torque with respect to the axis of rotation. The support arm has at least one mount, which is concentric with the axis of rotation, for the spring element, which, when arranged on the mount, is bent at least in part around the axis of rotation. As a consequence, centrifugal forces that act on the spring element when the rotating head is in operation have no influence on the tension of the spring element.

A magnetic body inspection apparatus includes a magnetic field application unit configured to apply a magnetic field to a long material including a magnetic body to be inspected, a detector configured to excite, in a longitudinal direction of the long material, magnetization of the magnetic body, the detector being configured to acquire a detection signal based on the magnetic field of the magnetic body that has been excited, and a detection apparatus body including the magnetic field application unit and the detector, the detection apparatus body being configured to be attachable to the long material in a short-side direction of the long material.

The present invention relates to an integrated system and method for in-situ 3-axis scanning and detecting defects in a CFRP composite (150) being loaded under static and cyclic test conditions. The system comprises a test system integrated with (10) a scanning system (20) that comprises a probe assembly (52) to generate eddy current on the surface of the CFRP composite (150) mounted on the test system, and a 3D scanner assembly (60) for movement of the probe assembly (50) over the entire surface area of the CFRP composite (150) along X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis. An operator console (70) is connected to the test system and the scanning system (20) for controlling (3) mechanical test process in the test system and for controlling 3-dimensional movement of the probe assembly (52) along X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis in a synchronous manner. Such system and method achieve (3D) automated and synchronized 3D scanning of the CFRP composite (150) to accurately detect the defects in the CFRP composite (150) before/during/after mechanical testing without interrupting the mechanical test process.

A robotic inspection system for bridge suspender cables includes a sensing device and a transport vehicle. The transport vehicle is configured to move the sensing device along a bridge suspender cable for taking main magnetic flux (MMF) readings as the sensing device moves along the bridge suspender cable. The system also includes a control station configured to wirelessly interface with the sensing device and the transport vehicle. In addition, the control station is configured to generate a bridge cable condition assessment report from the MMF readings to identify locations and sizes of deterioration of the bridge suspender cable.

A method for characterizing at least one joined connection between at least two components, whereby an eddy-current sensor is consecutively moved several times over the at least one weld, thereby generating a plurality of data sets of the detected measuring signals in various parallel sectional planes of the weld, and whereby, on the basis of the plurality of data sets, a projection data set is subsequently determined as the measure of the spatial distribution of the measuring signals along the at least one joined connection.

A technique facilitates examination of a tubing string. A sensor is mounted to monitor a pipe for a defect or defects. The sensor outputs data on the defect to a data processing system which identifies the type and severity of the defect. The data processing system also may be used to track the defect to determine changes to the defect during, for example, subsequent uses of the pipe. Based on the evaluation of the defect, recommendations are provided with respect to future use or handling of the pipe.

The invention concerns a method for additive manufacturing a component by repetitively superposing and solidifying material layers according to a 3D model of the component. The method comprises the steps of scan, by means of an eddy current sensing unit (20), of a new solidified cross section (15) obtained by selectively solidifying a material layer so as to provide an integrity data (VMM) of a sensed portion (23). A difference between the sensed integrity data (VMM) and an expected integrity data (VEE) is then executed for detecting a manufacturing anomaly within this portion. The expected integrity data (VEE) is determined based on collected integrity data of a solid basic structure likely matching or being identical to a geometrical structure (41) obtained from the 3D model (40) of a portion corresponding to said sensed portion (23), said solid basic structure being manufactured or simulated according to another 3D model.

Provided is a method for machining a component by removing material, in particular by removing chips, within a groove provided in the component, in which method: spatially resolved measurement data, which include information about faults, in particular cracks in the component, are provided, and machining of the component by removing material, in particular by removing chips, is performed by means of at least one machining tool mounted for movement in a motorized manner, in particular for translation and/or pivoting in a motorized manner, and is controlled in accordance with the provided measurement data preferably in an automated manner with respect to the positions on the component at which the at least one machining tool is brought into engagement with the component in order to remove material in the region of faults that are present.

A damage evaluation apparatus, to evaluate damage to a tendon embedded in concrete. The apparatus includes a magnetizer for generating magnetic force, and a detector for detecting change in magnetism produced from a damaged area of the tendon when magnetized. The magnetizer includes a excitation coil; an iron core passing through a center hole of the excitation coil; a pair of columnar yokes connected to respective ends of the iron core and extending toward the concrete; and a pair of plate-shaped yokes connected to the pair of columnar yokes at a distal end thereof for forming magnetic poles having spread along the surface of the concrete. By passing an electric current through the excitation coil, a magnetic circuit is formed by the yoke shaft, the pair of columnar yokes, the pair of plate-shaped yokes, and the tendon over a range thereof situated between the pair of plate-shaped yokes.