The invention provides a method for compensating the sensitivity variations induced by lift-off variations for an eddy current array probe. The invention uses the eddy current array probe coils in two separate ways to produce a first set of detection channels and a second set of lift-off measurement channels without the need to add coils dedicated to the lift-off measurement operation. Another aspect of the invention provides an improved calibration process which combines the detection and lift-off measurement channel calibration on a simple calibration block including a reference defect without the need of a pre-defined lift-off condition.

A rail vehicle includes a truck having wheels for engaging a railroad track, a bolster supported by the truck, and a tank supported by the bolster for storing a lading. A measurement system measures the level of the lading within the tank and includes gauges and a controller. The gauges are disposed at selected points on the bolster for sensing at least one of lateral and longitudinal localized displacement experienced by the bolster during motion of the rail vehicle. The controller calculates the level of the lading within the tank and compensates for changes in the level of the lading during motion of the rail vehicle in response to signals generated by the gauges.

Provided are an alternating current field based defect identification method and an array detection probe. The evaluation method includes the following steps: obtaining a magnetic field Bx signal in direction X and a magnetic field Bz signal in direction Z; removing a background magnetic field of each of the magnetic field Bx signal in the direction X and the magnetic field Bz signal in the direction Z, and obtaining a magnetic field Bx1 signal in the direction X and a magnetic field Bz1 signal in the direction Z without background magnetic fields; drawing an array image of the Bx1 signal and an array image of the Bz1 signal; and locating a distortion zone corresponding to disturbance at the same time and position in the array image of the Bx1 signal and the array image of the Bz1 signal.

An exemplary method of inspecting a component includes, among other things, securing an inspection probe body relative to a component, using a sensor assembly housed within the inspection probe body to induce an eddy current in a target area of the component, the target area having a target surface that is spaced from the sensor assembly, sensing a parameter of the eddy current in the component using the sensor assembly, and determining a position of the target surface of the component relative to the inspection probe body using the parameter of eddy current from the sensing.

An example inspection probe device includes a sensor assembly configured to induce an eddy current in a component. A probe body houses at least a portion of the sensor assembly such that the portion of the sensor assembly is spaced from a target surface of the component when the probe body is in contact with the component. A controller is used to calculate the location of the target surface relative to the probe body using an eddy current parameter sensed by the sensor assembly.

An eddy-current flaw detection device includes a storage unit that stores in advance a shape of a first object; and a probe that scans a component surface of the first object. The device includes a control unit that causes the probe to scan the component surface along a scanning path crossing an edge of the component surface. The device includes a first determination unit that determines a position of the edge in a scanning direction in which the scanning path P extends, based on an edge signal. The device includes a second determination unit that compares the position of the edge with a position of an edge of the first object stored in advance and determine a first offset amount in the scanning direction of the first object. The control unit offsets the scanning path in the scanning direction based on the first offset amount.

This invention relates to a system for inspecting metal part surfaces, wherein a plurality of geometric profile sensors is spaced and attached to a frame, and a plurality of eddy current sensors are also spaced and attached to the frame facing the metal part surface to be inspected. During the operation of the system, there is a relative longitudinal displacement and, optionally, a relative rotational displacement between the frame and the inspected metal part. The system further includes an electromagnetic signals electronic multiplexing circuit that receives and processes signals obtained in real time from the plurality of geometric profile sensors and eddy current sensors. Furthermore, there is an interpretation and evaluation unit that receives the processed signals from the electronic multiplexing circuit and identifies flaws on the metal part surfaces. The invention also encompasses a method for inspecting at least one segment with a constant geometry on the metal part surfaces using this system, wherein it identifies geometric profile flaws based on the data obtained from the geometric profile sensors and surface flaws based on the data obtained from the eddy current sensors.

Techniques for compensating the sensitivity variations induced by lift-off variations for an eddy current array probe. The techniques use the eddy current array probe coils in two separate ways to produce a first set of detection channels and a second set of lift-off measurement channels without the need to add coils 5 dedicated to the lift-off measurement operation.

A rail vehicle includes a truck having wheels for engaging a railroad track, a bolster supported by the truck, and a tank supported by the bolster for storing a lading. A measurement system measures the level of the lading within the tank and includes gauges and a controller. The gauges are disposed at selected points on the bolster for sensing at least one of lateral and longitudinal localized displacement experienced by the bolster during motion of the rail vehicle. The controller calculates the level of the lading within the tank and compensates for changes in the level of the lading during motion of the rail vehicle in response to signals generated by the gauges.