ELECTROMAGNET INSPECTION APPARATUS WITH A MOVABLE MAGNET AND METHOD FOR NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING OF ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE TEST COMPONENTS

摘要

An inspection tool for the non-destructive testing of a test component made of an electrically conductive material is described. The inspection tool employs movably mounted permanent magnets, which provides a means for generating a variable DC magnetic field within the test component, and eddy current probes so as to provide a means for performing a partial saturation eddy current test upon the test component. The eddy current probe preferably comprises an integrated magnetic field sensor which increases the accuracy and flexibility of the modes of operation of the described apparatus and methods. The described apparatus and methods are particularly suited for the inspection of tubular components that are often remotely located within the oil and gas exploration and production industries.

主权项

1. A method for the non-destructive testing of an electrically conductive test component, the method comprising:
locating one or more partial saturation eddy current sensor modules comprising at least one eddy current probe and a magnetiser unit having a permanent magnet movably mounted therein with a surface of the test component; moving the permanent magnet within the magnetiser unit to generate a DC magnetic field within the test component to a required level; employing the at least one test component to perform a Partial Saturation Eddy Current test upon the test component to evaluate a condition of the test component.