US 11,709,150 B2
Apparatus and method for inspection of a material
Paul D. Sheldon, Lynchburg, VA (US); Wayne M. Latham, Forest, VA (US); Thomas C. Mohr, Forest, VA (US); Aaron C. Havener, Pittsburgh, PA (US); Richard Manzini, Pittsburgh, PA (US); and Timothy A. Policke, Forest, VA (US)
Assigned to BWXT Nuclear Operations Group, Inc., Lynchburg, VA (US)
Filed by BWXT NUCLEAR OPERATIONS GROUP, INC., Lynchburg, VA (US)
Filed on Dec. 23, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/561,647.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/153,093, filed on Feb. 24, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0268735 A1, Aug. 25, 2022
Int. Cl. G01N 27/90 (2021.01); G01N 23/223 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 27/9046 (2013.01) [G01N 23/223 (2013.01); G01N 27/9073 (2013.01); G01N 2223/076 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of inspecting a material, comprising the steps of: disposing an eddy current sensor proximate a material so that, when activated, the eddy current sensor outputs a measurement signal that varies with variations in electrical conductivity and magnetic permeability of the material; activating the eddy current sensor; acquiring the measurement signal from the activated eddy current sensor when the activated eddy current sensor is proximate a surface of the material at a location on the surface; comparing data corresponding to the measurement signal to a first predetermined criteria corresponding to presence of a first predetermined condition of the material; applying an X-ray signal to the material at the location; acquiring a fluorescence signal resulting from application of the X-ray signal at the location; comparing data corresponding to the fluorescence signal to a second predetermined criteria corresponding to presence of a second predetermined condition of the material; and in response to the comparing data corresponding to the measurement signal to a first predetermined criteria or the comparing data corresponding to the fluorescence signal to a second predetermined criteria, performing a repair on the material.