Patent ID: 7249512
Filing Date: 2007-07-31
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A non-destructive inspection apparatus for inspecting a structure, comprising: a first probe configured for traveling over a first surface of the structure under inspection, the first probe comprising at least one inspection sensor for inspecting the structure as the first probe is moved over the first surface of the structure and at least one magnetic coupling device, wherein the first probe is further configured to span a cross-section of the structure that protrudes from the first surface of the structure; and a second probe configured for traveling over a second surface of the structure and magnetically coupled to the first probe, the second probe comprising at least one magnetic coupling device, wherein the probes cooperate by the magnetic attraction between corresponding magnetic coupling devices to correspondingly move the magnetically coupled probes over the respective surfaces of the structure, wherein the structure that protrudes from the first surface of the structure forms a hat stringer, and wherein the first probe is further configured to span a cross-section of the hat stringer.