US 12,078,692 B2
Apparatus and method for visualizing defects using a magneto-optical effect
Manoj Kumar Koyithitta Meethal, Bangalore (IN); Vikram Melapudi, Bangalore (IN); Aparna Chakrapani Sheila-Vadde, Bangalore (IN); and Satya Mohan Vamsi Andalam, Bangalore (IN)
Assigned to General Electric Company, Cincinnati, OH (US)
Filed by General Electric Company, Schenectady, NY (US)
Filed on Oct. 17, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/967,090.
Claims priority of application No. 202211041549 (IN), filed on Jul. 20, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0027546 A1, Jan. 25, 2024
Int. Cl. G01R 33/032 (2006.01); G01R 33/34 (2006.01)
CPC G01R 33/032 (2013.01) [G01R 33/34084 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for visualizing defects in a component using a magneto-optical effect, comprising:
a housing having a proximal interface configured to be removably connected to an imaging device having a camera and a light source, wherein the housing comprises a distal end including a distally-oriented external face that comprises a transparent, non-conformable surface;
a filter disposed in the housing configured to filter light from the light source directed therethrough;
a polarizer disposed in the housing configured to polarize the filtered light into polarized light having a polarization state;
a transparent or translucent conformable body operably connected to the distally-oriented external face of the housing and configured to:
allow the polarized light to pass therethrough; and
conform to a non-planar surface of the component;
a magneto-optic film operably connected to a distal side of the transparent or translucent conformable body and configured to reflect the polarized light that passes through the transparent or translucent conformable body, wherein the transparent or translucent conformable body and the magneto-optic film are configured to conform to a non-planar surface of the component;
at least one of:
a flexible coil operably connected to the magneto-optic film; and
electrical terminals disposed at a distal end of the housing, wherein the at least one of the flexible coil and the electrical terminals is configured to induce a magnetic field in the component; and
an analyzer disposed in the housing configured to convert variations in a polarization state of the reflected light relative to the polarization state of the polarized light to visible variations in light intensity.