Patent ID: 9678041
Date: 2017-06-13
CPC Classifications: G01N

Claim:
1. A method for generating a series of three-dimensional images of a magnetic flux leakage created by a fault on a steel tendon embedded in concrete, wherein said steel tendon has a length, comprising the steps of: a. providing a magnetic flux leakage imaging system, including, b. providing a translation system attached to said magnetic flux imaging system, wherein said translation system is capable of engaging and translating along said tendon; c. aligning said magnetic flux leakage imaging system such that said central testing cavity surrounds and said magnetic assemblies surround said tendon, thereby inducing a magnetic field; d. engaging said tendon with said translation system; e. translating said imaging system along said length of said tendon using said translation system; f. detecting said magnetic flux leakage produced by said magnetic field on said tendon, at a series of points along said length of said tendon, by said magnetic assemblies using said imaging array; g. acquiring a voltage proportional to said magnetic flux leakage produced by said tendon at said points along said length of said tendon using a data acquisition device; h. processing said voltage using a computing device; i. generating said series of three-dimensional images of said magnetic flux leakage using said computing device as said translation system translates along said length of said tendon; and j. analyzing said series of three-dimensional images in order to determine if a point along said length of said tendon contains a fault.