Patent ID: 7733084

Claim:
An eddy current test system comprising an eddy current probe, a host computer, and an assembly of selective modules with electrical and data communication between selective modules and the host computer and wherein each module is separable from each other module with each module removable from the assembly of modules and substitutable by a like module for convenience of maintenance and repair, said assembly of modules comprising, a take-up reel module selectable from a plurality of optional take-up reel modules further comprising, an acquisition instrument selectable from a plurality of optional acquisition instruments, a probe shaft selectable from a plurality of optional probe shafts connecting the probe and the acquisition instrument, a spool around which the probe shaft is wound and unwound, the acquisition instrument mounted in a spool hub thereby rotating with the spool as the probe shaft is wound and unwound, and a take-up reel motor driving the spool, a pusher module selectable from a plurality of optional pusher modules aligned with the take-up reel module to receive the probe shaft and further comprising a drive mechanism adapted to engage the probe shaft and push it with the probe attached through a target and withdraw it from the target, a pusher control module selectable from a plurality of optional pusher control modules on which the pusher module releasably mounts and further comprising, a servo drive that provides power and control to a probe pusher motor in the pusher module more powerful than the take-up reel motor, a take-up reel control module selectable from a plurality of optional take-up reel control modules on which the take-up reel module releasably mounts and to which the pusher control module releasably connects, further comprising, a power supply providing electrical power to the acquisition instrument, the take-up reel motor, and the data wire, a drive motor controller controlling the take-up reel motor.