Fluid supports for sensors

Abstract

Pressurized elastic support structures or balloons are used to press flexible sensors against the surface a material under test. Rigid support elements can also be incorporated into the inspection devices to maintain the basic shape of the inspection structure and to facilitate positioning of the sensors near the test material surface. The rigid supports can have the approximate shape of the test material surface or the pressurization of one or more balloons can be used to conform the sensor to the shape of the test material surface.

1 . A device for inspecting a component comprising: 
 a flexible sensor that is placed against a component surface;    at least one elastic support member that locates the sensor proximate to the component surface; and    at least one chamber in the at least one elastic support member, the flexible sensor being pressed against the component surface when the chamber is pressurized.    
   
   
       2 . The device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the sensor is an eddy current sensor.  
   
   
       3 . The device as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the sensor is an eddy current sensor array.  
   
   
       4 . The device as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of outer support members positioned between the at least one elastic support and the sensor.  
   
   
       5 . The device as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising at lease one rigid support which positions the at least one elastic support member near the component.  
   
   
       6 . A device for inspecting a component comprising: 
 at least one flexible sensor that is placed against a component surface;    at least one elastic member containing a chamber, the flexible sensor being pressed against the component surface when the chamber is pressurized; and    at least one rigid support member for maintaining the sensor position proximate to the component surface.    
   
   
       7 . The device as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the sensor is an eddy current sensor.  
   
   
       8 . The device as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the sensor is an eddy current sensor array.  
   
   
       9 . The device as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the at least one rigid support member approximates the shape of the component surface.  
   
   
       10 . The device as claimed in  claim 9  further comprising a compressible support layer placed between the sensor and the at least one rigid support member.  
   
   
       11 . The device as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the at least one rigid support member is placed between the pressurized chamber and the sensor.  
   
   
       12 . A device for inspecting a component comprising: 
 at least one flexible sensor that is placed against a component surface;    a compressible support layer placed behind the sensor;    at least one elastic member containing a chamber, the flexible sensor being pressed against the component surface when the chamber is pressurized; and    a rigid insert that approximates the shape of the component surface.    
   
   
       13 . The device as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the sensor is an eddy current sensor.  
   
   
       14 . The device as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the sensor is an eddy current sensor array.  
   
   
       15 . The device as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the shape of the component surface is concave, and the insert includes convex tabs to prevent contact between the insert and the component surface.  
   
   
       16 . The device as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the component is an engine disk slot.  
   
   
       17 . The device as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the inspection involves measurement of surface roughness or damage.  
   
   
       18 . The device as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the surface damage is fretting.  
   
   
       19 . A device for inspecting a component comprising: 
 a flexible sensor that is placed against a component surface;    a support member for adjusting the sensor position;    an elastic member containing a chamber, the flexible sensor being pressed against the component surface when the chamber is pressurized; and    means for supplying pressure to the chamber of the elastic member.    
   
   
       20 . The device as claimed in  claim 19  wherein the sensor is an eddy current sensor.  
   
   
       21 . The device as claimed in  claim 20  wherein the sensor is an eddy current sensor array.  
   
   
       22 . The device as claimed in  claim 19  wherein the support member is rigid, encloses the elastic member, and has an opening that is covered by the sensor so that pressurization of the elastic member presses the sensor against the component surface.