Patent ID: 9535026
Date: 2017-01-03
CPC Classifications: G01N,G01R

Claim:
1. A sensor for providing three-dimensional tomography of the interior of tendons, cable-stays and other similar structures, comprising: a frame adapted to open and close, wherein the frame is adapted to wrap around the tendon, cable-stay or other similar structure when in a closed position; a plurality of sensor plates supported in place by the frame, and wherein the plurality of sensor plates wrap around the tendon, cable-stay or other similar structure when the frame is in a closed position, and wherein the sensor is adapted to provide sensitivity in three geometric dimensions; wherein the sensor is an electrical capacitance volume tomography sensor and wherein each of the plurality of sensor plates are capacitance plates; a plurality of roller assemblies or skids supported by the frame for facilitating movement of the sensor on the tendon, cable-stay, or other similar structure; data acquisition electronics in communication with the plurality of sensor plates for receiving input data relating to capacitance data from the plurality of sensor plates; and wherein the sensor is adapted to provide multi-frequency excitation of the plurality of capacitance plates for detecting steel degradation in the tendon, cable-stay, or other similar structure.