Excitation and Detection of Shear Horizontal Waves with Electromagnetic Acoustic Transducers for Nondestructive Testing of Plates

The fundamental shear horizontal（SH0） wave has several unique features that are attractive for long-range nondestructive testing（NDT）. By a careful design of the geometric configuration, electromagnetic acoustic transducers（EMATs） have the capability to generate a wide range of guided wave modes, such as Lamb waves and shear-horizontal（SH） waves in plates. However, the performance of EMATs is influenced by their parameters. To evaluate the performance of periodic permanent magnet（PPM） EMATs, a distributed-line-source model is developed to calculate the angular acoustic field cross-section in the far-field. Numerical analysis is conducted to investigate the performance of such EMATs with different geometric parameters, such as period and number of magnet arrays, and inner and outer coil widths. Such parameters have a great influence on the directivity of the generated SH0 waves that arises mainly in the amplitude and width of both main and side lobes. According to the numerical analysis, these parameters are optimized to obtain better directivity. Optimized PPM EMATs are designed and used for NDT of strip plates. Experimental results show that the lateral boundary of the strip plate has no perceivable influence on SHO-wave propagation, thus validating their used in NDT. The proposed model predicts the radiation pattern ofPPM EMATs, and can be used for their parameter optimization.

Modeling and finite element analysis of transduction process of electromagnetic acoustic transducers for nonferromagnetic metal material testing

Facing the problems lack of considering the non-uniform distribution of the static bias magnetic field and computing the panicle displacements in the simulation model of electromagnetic acoustic transducer （EMAT）, a multi-field coupled model was established and the finite element method （FEM） was presented to calculate the entire transduction process. The multi-field coupled model included the static magnetic field, pulsed eddy current field and mechanical field. The FEM equations of the three fields were derived by Garlerkin FEM method. Thus, the entire transduction process of the EMAT was calculated through sequentially coupling the three fields. The transduction process of a Lamb wave EMAT was calculated according to the present model and method. The results show that, by the present method, it is valid to calculate the particle displacement under the given excitation signal and non-uniformly distributed static magnetic field. Calculation error will be brought about if the non-uniform distribution of the static bias magnetic field is neglected.

Lamb wave signal selective enhancement by an improved design of meander-coil electromagnetic acoustic transducer

In this paper, we investigate a method of selectively enhancing the single mode signal of a Lamb wave by using a meander-coil electromagnetic acoustic transducer （EMAT） with a new magnetic configuration. We use the Lamb antisym- metric （A0） mode and symmetric （SO） mode as an example for analysis. The analytical expression of the magnitude of the spatial Fourier transform of the Lorentz force generated by different meander coils is used to determine the optimal driving frequency for single mode generation. The numerical calculation is used to characterize the new magnetic configuration and the conventional EMAT magnet. Experimental examinations of each meander coil in combination with the conventional and new magnetic configuration show that the Lamb wave signal can be selectively enhanced by choosing the appropriate driving frequency and coil parameters through using the improved meander-coil EMAT.

Selective generation of ultrasonic Lamb waves by electromagnetic acoustic transducers

In this paper, we describe a modal expansion approach for the analysis of the selective generation of ultrasonic Lamb waves by electromagnetic acoustic transducers （EMATs）. With the modal expansion approach for waveguide excitation, an analytical expression of the Lamb wave＇s mode expansion coefficient is deduced, which is related to the driving frequency and the geometrical parameters of the EMAT＇s meander coil, and lays a theoretical foundation for exactly analyzing the selective generation of Larnb waves with EMATs. The influences of the driving frequency on the mode expansion coefficient of ultrasonic Lamb waves are analyzed when the EMAT＇s geometrical parameters are given. The numerical simulations and experimental examinations show that the ultrasonic Lamb wave modes can be effectively regulated （strengthened or restrained） by choosing an appropriate driving frequency of EMAT, with the geometrical parameters given. This result provides a theoretical and experimental basis for selectively generating a single and pure Lamb wave mode with EMATs.

Circuit-field coupled finite element analysis method for an electromagnetic acoustic transducer under pulsed voltage excitation

This paper presents an analytical method for electromagnetic acoustic transducers （EMATs） under voltage excitation and considers the non-uniform distribution of the biased magnetic field. A complete model of EMATs including the non-uniform biased magnetic field, a pulsed eddy current field and the acoustic field is built up. The pulsed voltage excitation is transformed to the frequency domain by fast Fourier transformation （FFT）. In terms of the time harmonic field equations of the EMAT system, the impedances of the coils under different frequencies are calculated according to the circuit-field coupling method and Poynting＇s theorem. Then the currents under different frequencies are calculated according to Ohm＇s law and the pulsed current excitation is obtained by inverse fast Fourier transformation （IFFT）. Lastly, the sequentially coupled finite element method （FEM） is used to calculate the Lorentz force in the EMATs under the current excitation. An actual EMAT with a two-layer two-bundle printed circuit board （PCB） coil, a rectangular permanent magnet and an aluminium specimen is analysed. The coil impedances and the pulsed current are calculated and compared with the experimental results. Their agreement verified the validity of the proposed method. Furthermore, the influences of lift-off distances and the non-uniform static magnetic field on the Lorentz force under pulsed voltage excitation are studied.

Comparison of three formulations for eddy-current problems in a spiral coil electromagnetic acoustic transducer

Three differential equations based on different definitions of current density are compared. Formulation I is based on an incomplete equation for total current density （TCD）. Formulations II and {I1 are based on incomplete and complete equations for source current density （SCD）, respectively. Using the weak form of finite element method （FEM）, three formulations were applied in a spiral coil electromagnetic acoustic transducer （EMAT） example to solve magnetic vector potential （MVP）. The input impedances calculated by Formulation III are in excellent agreement with the experimental measurements. Results show that the errors for Formulations I ＆ II vary with coil diameter, coil spacing, lift-off distance and external excitation frequency, for the existence of eddy-current and skin ＆ proximity effects. And the current distribution across the coil conductor also follows the same trend. It is better to choose Formulation I instead of Formulation Ili to solve MVP when the coil diameter is less than twice the skin depth for Formulation I is a low cost and high efficiency calculation method.

Optimal Design of Electromagnetic Acoustic Transducer

This paper considers the design of EMAT （Electro-Magnetic Acoustic Transducer） based on numerical simulation. The EMAT consists of an exiting coil and two permanent magnets, which transmits the ultrasonic wave by the Lorentz force between the eddy current and the static magnetic field by the magnets. From the experimental result on self-prepared EMATs, the intensity and the directivity of the transmitted wave depend on the widths of the coil and the magnets. By means of EEM analysis the authors attempt to determine the optimal values of the above widths such that both the intensity and the directivity achieve the maximum or allowable performance.

基于海尔贝克式排布的电磁铁EMAT研制

电磁声传感器由于其结构简单且无需耦合等特点,在超声无损检测领域具备显著的应用潜力。传统的永磁铁式横波电磁声传感器存在诸多缺陷,包括换能效率低、激发超声模态不具一致性,以及在铁磁性试件上检测时吸附力强、难以移动等,这些问题不仅影响了检测结果的准确性,也限制了其应用范围。本研究基于永磁铁海尔贝克式电磁声传感器以及空芯电磁铁电磁声传感器的特点,研制了一种新型的电磁铁横波传感器,实现单侧磁场增强的同时,可实现偏置磁场强度可调。本文采用正交试验的方法对传感器励磁磁铁以及涡流线圈结构参数进行优化,提高了回波信号的幅值。研究结果表明,经过优化后的电磁声传感器对于铝板的检测,可显著增加试件表面产生的垂直磁场强度及分布范围,并大幅降低水平磁场,能够更有效地激发较为纯净的横波。

单向L(0,2)超声导波EMAT结构设计

超声导波在管道中传播时双向传播的特性以及端面反射回波的影响导致检测回波信号复杂难以分辨。依据电磁声换能器(EMAT)激发机理和纵向超声导波的波结构特性,设计了一种周期性永磁铁增强径向偏置磁场,从而增大洛伦兹力轴向分量、减小径向分量来控制激发单一L(0,2)导波;同时依据波叠加原理,通过控制相邻线圈线间距、激励电流方向和延迟时间等来选择纵向超声导波的激发方向。研究结果表明:当相邻激励线圈电流相反、线间距为λ/4,且延迟时间为T/4时,采用优化设计的周期性永磁铁可以实现管道中超声导波的方向控制,使得回波信号容易分辨,提高了管道的检测效率。

基于EMAT技术的轮对踏面探伤仪

简述电磁超声换能器(EMAT)的结构组成及产生表面波的机理,分析了基于电磁超声表面波的车轮踏面缺陷检测原理。设计了基于电磁超声表面波的轮对踏面探伤仪,该探伤仪采用DSP+CPLD结构,构成数据处理、逻辑控制核心单元,信号由功率合成单元进行功率放大并与EMAT探头做输出匹配,提高输出功率;DSP系统完成超声波信号的数据处理及缺陷分析功能。最后对人工缺陷轮对和自然缺陷轮对进行试验,结果表明:检测过程无需耦合剂、无需沿踏面扫查,即可快速实现对轮对踏面表面及近表面10 mm范围内的车轮径向裂纹和大尺寸踏面剥离缺陷进行检测。

曲折线圈EMAT偏置磁场优化设计及其实验研究

针对曲折线圈电磁超声换能器(EMAT)换能效率低的问题,建立了曲折线圈EMAT检测过程有限元模型,分析了3种常见的永磁体组合方式对EMAT换能效率的影响,研究了3种组合方式下永磁体几何参数对金属试样表层偏置磁感应强度的影响规律,并给出了偏置磁场强度最大时对应的永磁体最佳几何参数。为验证仿真结果,采用3种组合形式的永磁体制作EMAT探头,并在铝板中激励0.9 MHz表面波和2 MHz斜入射偏振剪切波(SV波)。研究结果表明,当永磁体宽度为EMAT曲折线圈宽度的0.8左右时,曲折线圈EMAT换能效率最高。改进U型永磁体组合可显著提高金属试样表面的偏置磁场强度。

回折线圈导线长度对表面波EMAT性能及缺陷检测的影响

为了改善表面波电磁声传感器(electromagnetic acoustic transducer,EMAT)的激励及接收性能,并提高缺陷定量检测的准确性,试验研究了EMAT中回折线圈导线长度对传感器频率特性、所激励表面波声场指向性、衰减特性的影响.采用不同长度回折线圈对人工裂纹进行检测,得到了对应的反射和透射系数,分析了导线长度和裂纹长度相互关系对缺陷定量检测的影响.试验结果表明,表面波EMAT的频率特性与回折线圈导线长度无关,但其所激励表面波的声场指向性及衰减速率与导线长度密切相关,回折线圈导线长度越大,声束辐射半张角越小,表面波衰减越慢;作为接收传感器,回折线圈导线长度越大,EMAT检测时空间分辨率越低,但接收信号信噪比越高.导线长度小于裂纹长度时,才能得到准确的反射和透射系数.

电磁超声传感器(EMAT)最佳磁感应强度的研究

通过实验研究,确定了电磁超声传感器最佳励磁电流,利用ANSYS有限元软件,对用于钢管缺陷检测的电磁超声传感器的磁感应强度进行了计算,得到磁感应强度的分布规律.确定了钢管表面最佳磁感应强度数值范围为0.20～0.29T.

基于EMAT的三维声场断层扫描测量方法研究

不同电磁超声换能器(EMAT)的辐射声场分布特性不同,为了保证检测的有效性,需要对其声场分布进行准确测量。为测量固体金属材料中超声横波辐射声场的分布,采用针式EMAT作为测量超声横波声场的换能器,研究了基于断层扫描方式测量并重构三维辐射声场的方法。进一步建立了三维声场断层扫描测量实验系统,分析了测量系统的误差,并提出测量数据的补偿方法。实验测量了环形线圈EMAT在激励频率3.5 MHz时的辐射声场分布,获得其在铝和20#钢中的三维辐射声场,并分析得到其近场距离约为8 mm。结果表明该方法可有效地呈现超声横波在固体金属材料内部不同深度截面的声场分布,并对其处理可以获得待测EMAT在固体中的三维辐射声场分布。

基于COMSOL连铸坯壳测厚横波EMAT优化

为了研究电磁超声传感器(Electromagnetic Acoustic Transducer,EMAT)横波测量连铸坯壳厚度的机理及横波在连铸坯中的传播情况,选取坯壳厚度为10~50 mm的Q235小方坯为研究对象,利用有限元软件COMSOL建立脉冲电磁铁和螺旋线圈的电磁超声模型,分析在不同EMAT结构参数下,连铸坯中电磁场、力场、声场的分布规律。研究结果表明:脉冲电磁铁和螺旋线圈组成的EMAT能够在连铸坯壳集肤层激发出超声波横波。脉冲电磁铁空心螺线管线圈匝数、内半径、线圈导线半径对换能效率的影响依次减小,且当脉冲电磁铁内半径尺寸大于螺旋线圈尺寸时,产生横波的效率最高。坯壳厚度越小,螺旋线圈最优激励频率越大,测量精度越高,信号衰减越快。因此,坯壳厚度为10~50 mm的Q235小方坯选择1.1 MHz为最佳激励频率。

设计用于圆环链裂纹检测的表面波EMAT

电磁声传感器是一种非接触式的电磁能与声能的换能装置,象运动圆环链这类带有锈蚀的粗糙表面上,常规的压电晶体传感器无法使用的场合,电磁声传感器充分显示出了它的优越性。本文介绍了所设计研制的表面波电磁声传感器的结构、工作原理以及部分试验结果分析。

基于有限元仿真的EMAT结构优化研究

电磁超声检测作为一种新兴的无损检测手段,在高温在线检测中优势明显,然而换能效率偏低限制了其进一步发展和应用。为提高电磁超声换能器的换能效率,通过原理分析,基于有限元仿真对换能器的磁铁和线圈进行分析。选取磁铁的长、宽、高、间距,蛇形线圈和回形线圈的线粗、长度、导线间距及周期数等参数,分别以磁感应强度和涡流密度为目标进行优化。优化结果有助于在试验研究中节约时间和成本,具有一定的指导意义。

曲面构件斜入射SV波EMAT辐射声场特性分析

为了解决曲面构件的凹凸检测面的曲率半径对斜入射垂直剪切波(SV波)电磁超声换能器(EMAT)的缺陷检测分辨率/灵敏度和定位/定量偏差影响这一问题,建立了基于圆弧曲面(凹面和凸面)检测面的斜入射SV波EMAT辐射声场有限元模型,研究了曲折线圈匝数、弧面曲率对斜入射SV波的主瓣峰值、主瓣宽度、主旁瓣比和入射角的影响,并对仿真结果进行实验验证。结果表明,当曲折线圈匝数相同时,凸面检测面的SV波幅值相比于平面检测面提高34.8%以上,主瓣宽度减小43.8%;当曲折线圈匝数由10匝增至30匝时,凸面检测面的SV波幅值提高42.3%,主瓣宽度减小43.6%;凸面检测面的SV波声场特性均优于平面和凹面;曲面曲率半径对斜入射SV波主瓣峰值、主瓣宽度和主旁瓣比有显著影响。

基于磁场空间分布的EMAT磁致伸缩激励理论

针对电磁超声技术检测铁磁材料中遇到的难题,从磁致伸缩效应的本构方程出发,讨论了在不同的磁场空间分布中,电磁超声传感器(Electromagnetic acoustic transducer,EMAT)的磁致伸缩效应对激励声波的贡献。为避免对磁致伸缩力的探讨,提出直接从弹性质点的位移方程中提取关于磁致伸缩效应的声波激励信息,而无须再计算弹性质点所受的体力。为验证这一理论的正确性,利用Matlab工具仿真具体的EMAT结构模型,分析位移方程的时空变化曲线,得到声波信息,与相关文献中用体力描述磁致伸缩效应的声波激励信息吻合,从而证明了这一理论的可行性。

基于COMSOL的线聚焦EMAT声场特性仿真分析

为了提高电磁超声线聚焦换能器的线聚焦性能,增强对微小缺陷的检测效果,利用COMSOL软件对线聚焦电磁超声换能器(EMAT)的激发过程进行了数值模拟,研究了线聚焦EMAT所激发超声波的声场特性,分析了激励周期、线圈匝数和聚焦距离对线聚焦性能的影响。研究结果表明:适当增加激励周期、减小聚焦距离既可以增大线聚焦主瓣峰值,又可以减小线聚焦声束宽度,有利于获得更好的线聚焦效果;在进行线聚焦EMAT设计时应选择适当的线圈匝数,匝数过多和过少均不利于提高换能器的线聚焦性能。