Snap-fit lighting attachments for use in conjunction with magnetization equipment during non-destructive testing (NDT)

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10876720-B2
Application number	US-201916364477-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 26, 2019
Priority date	Mar 26, 2019
Publication date	Dec 29, 2020
Grant date	Dec 29, 2020

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for implementing and utilizing lighting attachments for use in conjunction with handheld magnetization equipment during non-destructive testing (NDT). The lighting attachments may incorporate snap-fit based designed, and may be configured for providing lighting based on the magnetization function of the magnetization equipment.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus configured for use in non-destructive testing (NDT), the apparatus comprising:
handheld magnetization equipment configured for magnetizing surfaces during magnetic particle based non-destructive testing (NDT) inspections; and
a lighting attachment configured for use in conjunction with the handheld magnetization equipment, wherein:
the lighting attachment is configured to be securely attached to the handheld magnetization equipment;
the lighting attachment is removable;
the lighting attachment comprises one or more light emitting elements, configured for projecting light onto the surfaces being inspected; and
the lighting attachment is configured to provide power to the one or more light emitting elements based on operation of the handheld magnetization equipment when magnetizing the surfaces being inspected.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least a part of the lighting attachment has a conformal geometric design to enable it to be securely attached to a corresponding particular part of the handheld magnetization equipment.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:
the handheld magnetization equipment is configured for generating a magnetic field for magnetizing the surfaces being inspected; and
the lighting attachment is configured for generating based on the magnetic field at least some of the power for the one or more light emitting elements.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the lighting attachment comprises an induction element configured for generating power based on the magnetic field electromagnetic induction.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more light emitting elements comprises a light-emitting diode (LED).

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the lighting attachment comprises one or more attaching components configured for enabling the lighting attachment to be attached and detached from the handheld magnetization equipment.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the one or more attaching components comprise at least one attaching component configured to snap onto corresponding protruding extension on the handheld magnetization equipment.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the one or more attaching components are configured to enable securely attaching the lighting attachment to a particular part of the handheld magnetization equipment.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the particular part of the handheld magnetization equipment comprises the part positioned closest to the surfaces being inspected during the magnetic particle based non-destructive testing (NDT) inspections.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the lighting attachment comprises a support component configured for maintained tight fit onto the handheld magnetization equipment when the lighting attachment is attached to the handheld magnetization equipment.

11. A lighting attachment for use in conjunction with handheld magnetization equipment during magnetic particle based non-destructive testing (NDT), the lighting attachment comprising:
one or more light emitting elements, configured for projecting light onto surfaces being inspected; and
a power component configured for providing power to the one or more light emitting elements;
wherein:
the lighting attachment is configured to be securely attached to a handheld magnetization equipment;
the lighting attachment is configured to be removable; and
the power component is configured to generate power based on operation of the handheld magnetization equipment when magnetizing the surfaces being inspected.

12. The lighting attachment of claim 11 , wherein at least a part of the lighting attachment has a conformal geometric design to enable it to be securely attached to a corresponding particular part of the handheld magnetization equipment.

13. The lighting attachment of claim 11 , wherein the power component is configured for generating the power based on a magnetic field generated by the handheld magnetization equipment for magnetizing the surfaces being inspected.

14. The lighting attachment of claim 13 , wherein the power component is configured for generating the power based on the magnetic field using electromagnetic induction.

15. The lighting attachment of claim 11 , wherein each of the one or more light emitting elements comprises a light-emitting diode (LED).

16. The lighting attachment of claim 11 , comprising one or more attaching components configured for enabling the lighting attachment to be attached and detached from the handheld magnetization equipment.

17. The lighting attachment of claim 16 , wherein the one or more attaching components comprise at least one attaching component configured to snap onto corresponding protruding extension on the handheld magnetization equipment.

18. The lighting attachment of claim 16 , wherein the one or more attaching components are configured to enable securely attaching the lighting attachment to a particular part of the handheld magnetization equipment.

19. The lighting attachment of claim 18 , wherein the particular part of the handheld magnetization equipment comprises the part positioned closest to the surfaces being inspected during the magnetic particle based non-destructive testing (NDT) inspections.

20. The lighting attachment of claim 11 , comprising a support component configured for maintained tight fit onto the handheld magnetization equipment when the lighting attachment is attached to the handheld magnetization equipment.

Assignees

• Illinois Tool Works

Inventors

• Sonnenberg Christopher Mark
• Vande Lune Steven W

Classifications

• H01F13/00

  Apparatus or processes for magnetising or demagnetising ({devices for holding workpieces using magnetic or electric force acting directly on the workpieces B23Q3/15} ; for degaussing ships B63G9/06; for clocks or watches G04D9/00; {recording or erasing of information on magnetic record carriers G11B5/00} ; demagnetising arrangements for colour television H04N9/29) · CPC title

• H01F3/00

  Cores, Yokes, or armatures (magnetic materials H01F1/00; permanent magnets H01F7/02) · CPC title

• G01N27/84 Primary

  by applying magnetic powder or magnetic ink · CPC title

• G01D11/28

  Structurally-combined illuminating devices · CPC title

• F21Y2115/10

  Light-emitting diodes [LED] · CPC title