Patent ID: 6563307
Filing Date: 2003-05-13
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
An eddy current inspection probe for inspecting a preselected surface at least partially defining an opening in a component, said eddy current inspection probe comprising:an expandable element at least partially defining an interior space which is expandable by introducing a pressurized fluid into the interior space from a collapsed position for inserting the probe into and removing the probe from the opening in the component to an expanded position in which the probe is sized and shaped for at least partially filling the opening and for contacting the preselected surface of the component for inspecting the surface; and an eddy current array positioned over the expandable element for generating and detecting magnetic fields in the component to inspect the preselected surface of the component, the eddy current array having an outer surface shaped substantially identically to the preselected surface of the component when the expandable element is in the expanded position for maintaining the outer surface of the array at a preselected distance from the surface of the component.