FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
The present invention relates to a probe holder device for holding a sensor probe on
a testing component such that a sensing element can be located on the component.
More particularly, the invention relates to a probe holding device for holding
Barkhausen noise sensor for positioning of probes eliminating an air gap between
the sensor and the component to be measured.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
Probe based advanced magnetic methods are known to be used for non-destructive
testing of ferritic components. The methods require multiple number of
measurements and statistical analysis to analyse the component. Manual
measurements lead to a scattered result in the measurement due to difference in
the air gap between the sensor and the component. Also unwanted jerks during
positioning of the probe lead to inconsistent values.
Advanced magnetic methods such as Magnetic Barkhausen noise method, is used in
residual stress measurement of welded and fabricated components. The method
utilises magnetic based sensors. The sensors are positioned along the surface of the
components and magnetic Barkhausen noise is measured which is analysed and
correlated for the stress condition of the material. During the measurement, the
probe is handled manually and leads to lot of measurement errors and inconsistent
values. According to the prior art, the probe handling requires careful handling and
avoidance of air gap between the sensor and probe is to be ensured manually.

Further, the probe holders for different probes such as holder for thermometer,
holder for a sensor of chemical vessel, holder for a sensor to measure thickness of
components, are all specific to application. The present invention relates to the
probe holder development for holding the Barkhausen noise sensor during the
operation and help in avoiding air gap between the sensor and component.
Patent EP 0206451 Al describes a system for mounting a sensor probe through the
wall of a chemical vessel or other fluid container such that a sensing element can be
located within. This system includes means for maintaining the sensing probe within
the vessel in fluid tight, at elevated temperature. However, this method is only
suitable to the condition storage vessels are used and not suitable to Magnetism
based probes.
Patent EP 1831648 Bl describes a system for holding a sensor which is sharp
pointed type and suitable for single sensor system and is not suitable for magnetism
based sensors.
United States Patent 8282277 B2 describes a replaceable probe holder structure for
thermometer including a thermometer shell. This system is specific to application.
This system is not suitable for Barkhausen noise probe holder as the sensor is
magnetically sensitive and rectangle in shape.
United States Patent 005311785A describes a probe holder for a rotary scanner. This
system is specific to application related to devices that holds probes for measuring
wall thickness of pipe during an extrusion process of the pipe. This system is not
suitable for Barkhausen noise probe.

United States Patent 006261231B1 describes an Ultrasound probe holder which is specific to
application and suitable for circular sensors. This system is specific to application not
suitable for Barkhausen noise probes.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
It is therefore an object of the invention to propose a probe holding device for
holding Barkhausen noise sensor for positioning of the probes eliminating an air gap
between the sensor and the component to be measured.
Another object of the invention is to propose a probe holding device for holding
Barkhausen noise sensor for positioning of the probes eliminating an air gap
between the sensor and the component to be measured which eliminates the errors
occuring during the manual handling of the probe during measurement.
A still another object of the invention is to propose a probe holding device for
holding Barkhausen noise sensor for positioning of the probes eliminating an air gap
between the sensor and the component to be measured, in which the probe holder
is controlled by a positioning screw which simplifies movement of the probe so as to
contact the surface of the component when reading is measured and retracted once
reading is taken.
Yet another object of the invention is to propose a probe holding device for holding
Barkhausen noise sensor for positioning of the probes eliminating an air gap
between the sensor and the component to be measured, which is a simple and
reliable device to hold various kinds of Barkhausen noise probes enabled to position and
remove the probe from the holder with ease.
A further object of the invention is to propose a probe holding device for holding
Barkhausen noise sensor for positioning of the probes eliminating an air gap
between the sensor and the component to be measured which can be rotated through
360° using the probe holder.

A still further object of the invention is to propose a probe holding device for holding
Barkhausen noise sensor for positioning of the probes eliminating an air gap
between the sensor and the component to be measured, which prevents disturbing
the magnetism during the measurement of magnetic Barkhausen noise.
A further object of the invention is to propose a probe holding device for holding
Barkhausen noise sensor for positioning of the probes eliminating an air gap
between the sensor and the component to be measured which eliminates the impact
loads on the probe by means of a spring provided on the probe holder.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, there is provided a probe holding device for holding Barkhausen noise
sensor positioning of the probes eliminating an air gap between the sensor and the
component to be measured. The inventive device allows holding of the probe for
measuring Barkhausen noise level in a component by avoiding the air gap between
the probe and the component and ensures optimum positioning of the probe. The
probe holding device further eliminates possible manual errors occurring in the prior
art device during manual handling of the probe during measurement. The probe
holder is controlled by a positioning screw which simplifies movement of the probe
and allowing the probe to contact the surface of the component when reading is to
be measured and retracted once reading is taken. The probe holding device is
simple and reliable device to hold various Barkhausen noise probes including
easy positioning and removal of the probe from the holder and the probe can be
rotated through 360° using the probe holder.
The probe holder accommodates the magnetic sensor and prevents disturbance by
external magnetism during measurement of magnetic Barkhausen noise. The probe
holder is further controlled by a spring loaded support to eliminate impact loads to
the probe during the movement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The proposed invention will be better understood by the following description with
reference to the accompanying drawings:
Figure 1 - Shows a Probe to be held by the holding device of the invention
Figure 2 - Shows a Probe holder device of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERED EMBODIMENT OF THE
INVENTION:
The invention will now be described with help of accompanying drawings which
depict exemplary embodiments of the invention. However there can be several other
embodiments, all of which are deemed to be covered by the description. The probe
for which the holding device is proposed is shown in the Figure 1 which is presently
handled manually. This probe, according to the invention is handled mechanically to
eliminate uncertainty induced due to prior art manual handling and also helps in
partial automation. This probe during positioning on a component, sense the
magnetic properties of a Ferro magnetic component(8) through a sensor (1).
Similarly the probe holder has to have a provision to accommodate a probe body
(2), a switch to pause the probe and a probe cable (4) such that the sensor (1)
operation is not disturbed.
The probe handling device developed for the probe (Fig 1) is shown in fig 2. Probe
holder (5) is capable of holding different probes used for the purpose. Probe holder
has a provision to accommodate a sensor (4) and the holder will not disturb the
magnetism induced during the measurement. The probe holder (5) can be rotated
about a vertical axis in 360° through a rotating disc (15) on which the probe holder
(5) is supported. This helps in taking measurements in any direction on the job. A
control knob (17) locks a spring in a spring housing axle (10). This helps in

minimising the sudden impact load to the probe holder (5) in turn to the probe (1).
An adjusting screw (12) provided on the spring housing axle(10) controls the vertical
lift distance of the spring provided in the spring housing axle(10). A Lead screw (16)
is controlled by a lever knob (11). The lever knob (11) positions the probe holder (5)
on the component through a lead screw (16) and ensures step by step advancement
of the probe (1) towards the job(8). Probe holder(5), spring housing axle(10) and
lever knob (11) are supported by a horizontal support (9), a first axle support bar
(13) and a second axle support bar (14) which are in perfect vertical alignment and
they are fixed on a vertical pillar (7) by tightening screws(18),(19),and (20). The
vertical pillar (7) is fixed on a base (6). Through the vertical pillar (7), the probe
sensor (1) can be positioned on any size of the job. Using a lock screw (21) the
vertical pillar (7) can be removed from the base (6) and another lengthy or short
pillar can be fixed according to the height of the job (8).
This device can be used for any type of Barkhausen noise probes including uni axial
and bi axial probes. This simple device helps to hold the probe for measuring
Barkhausen noise level in the job and helps to avoid the air gap between the sensor
and component and ensures proper positioning of the probe. The proposed probe
holding device eliminates possible manual errors occur during the manual handling
of the probe during measurement. The probe holder is controlled by the lever knob
which simplifies the movement of the probe and contacts the surface of the
component when reading is to be measured and can be retracted once reading is
taken. The probe holding device is simple and reliable device to hold various
Barkhausen noise probes and easy position of the probe and removal of probe from
the holder and the probe can be rotated through 360° using the probe holder. The
probe holder has to accommodate the magnetic sensor and so should not be
disturbed by the external magnetism during the measurement of magnetic
Barkhausen noise. The probe holder is further controlled by the spring loaded

support to eliminate impact loads to the probe by means during the movement. The
whole set up thus becomes a mechanical device to hold the Barkhausen noise probe
and eliminates the all possible error due to manual handling of probe.

WE CLAIM:
1. A probe holding device for holding Barkhausen noise sensor for positioning of
the probes eliminating an air gap between the sensor and the component to
be measured, comprising :
- a probe holder (5) capable of holding different types of Barkhausen noise
probes (1) for measurement of noise level of during testing of ferritic
components (8);
- means for accommodating a sensor (4) for measurement of noise on the
component;
- a rotating disc (15) supporting the probe holder (5) and allowing a 360°
rotation of the probe holder (5) to enable measurement along all directions of
the component (8);
- an axle (10) having a control knob (17), and accommodating a spring to
minimize sudden impact load on the probe holder (5) during testing, the
control knob (17) locking the spring on the axle (10);
- an adjusting screw (12) disposed in the axle housing (10) to adjust the
vertical lift distance of said spring within the housing (10);
- a lead screw (16) controllable by a lever knob (11) allowing progressive
movement of the probe holder (5) towards the component (8) so as to be
obtain the noise level data of the component (8) under testing;
- a replacable vertical pillar (7) removably placed on a base (6) enabling
positioning of the probe sensor (1) on the component (8) irrespective of the
size of the component (8); and
- a horizontal support (9), a first axle bar (13), and a second axle bar (14) fixed
on the vertical pillar (7) to support respectively the probe holder (5), axle
housing (10) and the lever (knob).

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the horizontal support (9), the first
axle bar (13), and the second axle bar (14) are fixed on the vertical pillar (7)
respectively by a first screw (18), a second screw (19), and a third screw
(20).
3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vertical pillar (7) is removed
from the base (6) by a lock screw (21).

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a probe holding device for holding Barkhausen noise sensor
for positioning of the probes eliminating an air gap between the sensor and the
component to be measured, comprising : a probe holder (5) capable of holding
different types of Barkhausen noise probes (1) for measurement of noise level of
during testing of ferritic components (8); means for accommodating a sensor (4) for
measurement of noise on the component; a rotating disc (15) supporting the probe
holder (5) and allowing a 360° rotation of the probe holder (5) to enable
measurement along all directions of the component (8); an axle (10) having a
control knob (17), and accommodating a spring to minimize sudden impact load on
the probe holder (5) during testing, the control knob (17) locking the spring on the
axle (10); an adjusting screw (12) disposed in the axle housing (10) to adjust the
vertical lift distance of said spring within the housing (10); a lead screw (16)
controllable by a lever knob (11) allowing progressive movement of the probe holder
(5) towards the component (8) so as to be obtain the noise level data of the
component (8) under testing; a replacable vertical pillar (7) removably placed on a
base (6) enabling positioning of the probe sensor (1) on the component (8)
irrespective of the size of the component (8); and a horizontal support (9), a first
axle bar (13), and a second axle bar (14) fixed on the vertical pillar (7) to support
respectively the probe holder (5), axle housing (10) and the lever (knob).