Recent Advances and Applications of Eddy Current NDE in the Aerospace Sector
Tracks
Day of Tutorials
| Monday, June 24, 2024 |
| 2:20 PM - 3:30 PM |
| 408-409 |
Overview
Dr. Buzz Wincheski | NASA
Details
Eddy current testing is a well-established technique for nondestructive evaluation (NDE) of aerospace structures, most commonly applied for crack detection on metallic surfaces and bore holes. Recently, the technique has seen an expansion of its historical application range. Unique probe designs, techniques, and data processing have led to eddy current methods for the inspection of complex metallic structures and carbon fiber composites. A recent push for the acceptance of eddy current methods for volumetric inspection of relatively thin-walled welded tubes is also in progress, where it has been proposed as a substitute for radiographic inspections. This tutorial will give a brief background of the history and theory of eddy current NDE followed by a discussion of recent advances in the field. The impact of 3D printing capabilities for rapid development of custom probes will be discussed and examples presented for inspection of small diameter bellows and thin carbon fiber solar sail booms. The technology and reasoning behind the push for adoption of eddy current for qualification of orbital welded tubes will also be discussed, along with the challenges in showing the technique will meet 90% POD with 95% confidence as called out in NASA standards for NDE of fracture critical metallic components.
Speaker
Dr. Buzz Wincheski
NASA
Recent Advances and Applications of Eddy Current NDE in the Aerospace Sector
Biography
Dr. Wincheski has worked as an instrumentation scientist at NASA Langley Research Center for over 30 years, leading the development of multiple eddy current based sensor systems. He has led the research, development and successful deployment of novel eddy current inspection technologies to ensure safety and mission success for Space Shuttle, International Space Station (ISS), Artemis, and Commercial Crew programs. Among the inspection technologies he developed are those that helped characterize multi-site fatigue damage in aging aircraft, crack growth on the ISS, COPVs for Shuttle, Orion, Commercial Cargo and Commercial Crew, Shuttle Reinforced Carbon Carbon, main engine flowliner and radiator retract flex hose. His recent research efforts in eddy current NDE have focused on the continued development of inspection systems for composite overwrap pressure vessels, propulsion system bellows, and critical thin walled tubing. He recently received the NASA Exceptional Service Medal and has been inducted into the NASA Inventors Hall of Fame. Dr. Wincheski received his Ph.D. in Solid State Physics from the College of William and Mary in 1999.
