Patent ID: 6710595
Filing Date: 2004-03-23
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
An eddy current probe, comprisinga first solenoid, with a drive coil having a longitudinal axis, generating a fluctuating magnetic field, a directed field array including a base of material having high magnetic permeability transversely intersecting the magnetic field, the magnetic field being conducted into the base, a plurality of mutually spaced apart posts of material having high magnetic permeability depending from the base, the magnetic field conducted from the base discretized into the posts and out of post distal ends, the plurality of posts disposed on the base such that post ends are amenable to positioning proximate a material to be tested by directing the magnetic field of the solenoid in discretized magnetic fields emerging from post ends into said test material therein inducing eddy currents in said test material, at least one transducer proximate at least one post end, adapted to detect a magnetic field generated from said eddy currents.