Field Portable System for Electromagnetic Imaging of Damage Under Fasteners

The Phase I SBIR successfully demonstrated a new method called Segmented Field Eddy Current sensing, a new variation of an MWM-Array. This method enables detection of small cracks under steel and aluminum fasteners and offers the potential to detect early corrosion damage under fasteners. Furthermore, the Phase I developed a concept for a low-cost portable system that can provide substantial improvement in fatigue and corrosion detection, using segmented field MWM-Arrays. This will enable the U.S. Navy to broaden the use of MWM-Array technology dramatically, extending the already high return on investment demonstrated by this sensing technology. In Phase II, JENTEK will target specific Navy requirements and deliver a low-cost portable system to the Navy that can detect cracks under steel and aluminum fasteners for flat and complex shaped lap joints and components. This system will also support advanced applications of health monitoring MWM-Arrays for inspections in difficult-to-access locations.