NON- DESTRUCTIVE INSPECTION APPARATUS COMPRISING STRINGER PROBE WITH MAGNETIC SPRING BALANCE

摘要

A nondestructive inspection apparatus and method for inspecting a structure having an interior opening portion comprises an inspection apparatus outer probe unit having a plurality of outer probe unit walls each having a surface corresponding to a respective one of the plurality of exterior surfaces of a respective structure wall, the outer probe unit comprises a first outer probe member and a second outer probe member, magnetically coupled to each other through magnetic attraction between a magnet on the first outer probe unit member and a magnet on the second outer probe unit member; and a magnetic balance positioned to force the second outer probe unit member in a direction of increased magnetic coupling of the second outer probe unit member to the first outer probe unit member through magnetic repulsion between a magnet on the magnetic balance and a magnet on the second outer probe unit member. Also disclosed is a miner probe unit magnetically attracted to the oute units and transducers for non-destructive testing of the structure.