Patent ID: 6815948
Filing Date: 2004-11-09
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A method for the nondestructive evaluation of tension wires embedded in a concrete pole, comprising the steps of:establishing a DC magnetic field needed for MsS operation on the concrete pole; applying a pulse of AC magnetic field that generates a guided wave in the tension wires based on the magnetostrictive effect; detecting the guided wave signals reflected from the ends of the tension wires and the ends of the concrete pole based on the inverse magnetostrictive effect; analyzing and correlating the detected signal with patterns of changes known to be indicative of a break or breaks in the tension wires; wherein the above steps are effected without physically contacting the tension wires, and wherein said steps of establishing a DC magnetic field, applying a pulse of AC magnetic field, and detecting the guided wave signals are each effected from a single location on the pole.