Patent ID: 6573712
Filing Date: 2003-06-03
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A non-destructive inspection device for detecting a defect of a member to be inspected, comprising:an inspection probe which is opposed to a surface of said member to be inspected, detects said defect and outputs a detection signal; a controller which inputs said detection signal from said inspection probe and measures a lift-off between said inspection probe and said member to be inspected on the basis of a change in magnetic fluxes of eddy currents due to said inspection probe, said controller comprising means for detecting whether said surface is linear or curved; and a driving unit which adjusts a position of said inspection probe relative to said surface of said member to be inspected so that said inspection probe performs a sequence of measurements as it is moved along a locus of points adjacent to said surface, wherein if said controller determines that said surface is linear, said controller: measures a lift-off distance between said inspection probe and said surface; and determines whether said measured lift-off distance is within a predetermined range of a target orbit and, if so, performs an inspection operation, wherein if said controller determines that said measured lift-off distance is not within said predetermined range, then said controller causes said driving unit to move said inspection probe with respect to said surface by an interpolation amount based on said measured lift-off distance and then performs an inspection; and if said controller determines that said surface is curved, said controller: measures a lift-off distance between said inspection probe and said surface at two or more points of said surface; calculates whether there is a deviation between said measured lift-off distances at said two or more points and, if not, then performs an inspection operation, wherein if said controller calculates that there is a deviation, then said controller causes said driving device to move said inspection probe with respect to said surface by an interpolation amount based on said measured lift-off distances and then performs an inspection.