The Boeing Company
System and method for using eddy current edge effect to measure a gap between two conductive parts

Abstract:

There is provided a system for using eddy current edge effect to measure a gap between two conductive parts. The system includes the two conductive parts, each having predetermined properties. The system includes a probe having a housing with a coil, and includes a reference gap standard, based on one or more reference gap measurements taken between at least two reference conductive parts separated by a gap distance, as specified by predetermined engineering requirements. The system includes an inspection instrument assembly coupled to the probe and having an inspection apparatus calibrated to the probe and the reference gap standard. The probe with the coil uses the eddy current edge effect to take the gap measurement and measure the gap. The gap measurement is compared to the reference gap standard, to determine whether the gap measurement is an acceptable result or an unacceptable result, based on the predetermined engineering requirements.