Flexible eddy current probe arrays

A new eddy current test (ET) system has been developed. This system is based on utilizing flexible substrate probe arrays to achieve conformance to complex surface geometries and coverage of large test areas without probe scanning. Previous phases of the project resulted in the production of a working prototype. Details on the prototype development phase will be published in the proceedings of the EPRI Fossil Plant Inspections Workshop, which was held in San Antonio in September 1986. The 1987 effort will be directed at upgrading the prototype and demonstrating the system's potential by performing a practical inspection at a utility site. This inspection will be performed on the blade attachment area of the L-1 row of a fossil steam turbine. The work effort will be divided into two primary activities: the first activity will deal with the upgrading of the prototype to a field-functional level; the second activity will be to conduct an actual inspection at the site of a host utility. These activities are discussed