Patent ID: 7015690
Filing Date: 2006-03-21
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. An omnidirectional eddy current (EC) array probe (ECAP) comprising: a plurality of EC channels, each of said EC channels comprising a first sense coil and a second sense coil, wherein said first and second sense coils are offset from one another in a first (x) and a second (y) direction and overlap one another in at least one of the first and second directions (x,y), and wherein said first sense coil has one polarity and said second sense coil has an opposite polarity; a plurality of drive coils, wherein at least one drive coil is configured to generate a probing field for each of said EC channels in a vicinity of said first and second sensing coils, and wherein said drive coils have alternating polarity with respect to neighboring drive coils, wherein each of said drive coils extends around said first and second sense coils forming a respective one of said EC channels; a plurality of electrical connections operatively connecting said first and second sense coils within each of the respective EC channels; and a pair of corrective drive coils, wherein a first one of said corrective drive coils is disposed at a first end of said EC channels, wherein a second one of said corrective drive coils is disposed at a second end of said EC channels, and wherein each of said corrective drive coils is configured to generate a probing field.