Methods of and apparatus for levitating an eddy current probe

Patent · Tue May 03 00:00:00 EDT 1988

OSTI ID:866580

Stone, William J ^[1]

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1. Kansas City, MO

An eddy current probe is supported against the force of gravity with an air earing while being urged horizontally toward the specimen being examined by a spring and displaced horizontally against the force of the spring pneumatically. The pneumatic displacement is accomplished by flowing air between a plenum chamber fixed with respect to the probe and the surface of the specimen. In this way, the surface of the specimen can be examined without making mechanical contact therewith while precisely controlling the distance at which the probe stands-off from the surface of the specimen.

• Research Organization: Kansas City Plant (KCP), Kansas City, MO (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00613
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by Department of Energy (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4742299
• Application Number: 06/919,166
• OSTI ID: 866580
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

methods
apparatus
levitating
eddy
current
probe
supported
force
gravity
air
earing
urged
horizontally
specimen
examined
spring
displaced
pneumatically
pneumatic
displacement
accomplished
flowing
plenum
chamber
fixed
respect
surface
mechanical
contact
therewith
precisely
controlling
distance
stands-off
mechanical contact
contact therewith
eddy current
current probe
plenum chamber
precisely control
displaced horizontally
/324/73/269/