摘要 |
<p>A probe (10), such as an eddy current probe, which can be moved by hand to a surface to be tested. A toroidal-shaped first resilient member (14) contacts the bottom face of a support member (12). An elastic membrane (16) extends over the bore (33) of the first resilient member (14), contacts the bottom lateral surface of the first resilient member (14), and is unattached to the radially-inward-facing surface of the first resilient member (14). A more elastic, second resilient member (18) is placed in the bore (33), is unattached to the first resilient member (14), and contacts the bottom surface of the elastic membrane (18). A flexible, surface-conformable, eddy current sensing coil (20) overlies a portion of the bottom side of the second resilient member (18). More broadly stated, the probe (10) includes first apparatus (14), for providing a stand-off distance between the support member (12) and the surface, and second apparatus (18), which includes a flexible sensor (20) (such as an eddy-current sensing coil), for providing a predetermined force to the surface, the predetermined force being essentially decoupled from any force applied to the surface by the first apparatus (14). <IMAGE></p> |