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.

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.

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.

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.

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S构型内检式EMAT的管道裂纹电磁超声螺旋导波定量检测

为了解决传统轴向导波对管道斜向裂纹检测灵敏度低的缺点,基于电磁超声螺旋导波检测机理,提出了一种适用于管道斜向裂纹检测的S构型内检式EMAT(电磁超声换能器)。针对所提换能器,建立金属管道电磁超声螺旋导波检测有限元模型,探究不同螺旋角螺旋导波在管道上的传播过程和回波信号特征。搭建了电磁超声螺旋导波检测试验系统,采用所提EMAT和L(0,2)轴向导波EMAT对斜向裂纹进行检测。试验结果表明,S构型内检式EMAT对于斜向裂纹具有更高的检测灵敏度,对于裂纹的高分辨率检测具有重要意义。

Micro-Sized Pinhole Inspection with Segmented Time Reversal and High-Order Modes Cluster Lamb Waves Based on EMATs

Pinhole corrosion is difficult to discover through conventional ultrasonic guided waves inspection,particularly for micro-sized pinholes less than 1 mm in diameter.This study proposes a new micro-sized pinhole inspection method based on segmented time reversal(STR)and high-order modes cluster(HOMC)Lamb waves.First,the principle of defect echo enhancement using STR is introduced.Conventional and STR inspection experiments were conducted on aluminum plates with a thickness of 3 mm and defects with different diameters and depths.The parameters of the segment window are discussed in detail.The results indicate that the proposed method had an amplitude four times larger than of conventional ultrasonic guided waves inspection method for pinhole defect detection and could detect micro-sized pinhole defects as small as 0.5 mm in diameter and 0.5 mm in depth.Moreover,the segment window location and width(5-10 times width of the conventional excitation signal)did not affect the detection sensitivity.The combination of low-power and STR is more conducive to detection in different environments,indicating the robustness of the proposed method.Compared with conventional ultrasonic guided wave inspection methods,the proposed method can detect much smaller defect echoes usually obscured by noise that are difficult to detect with a lower excitation power and thus this study would be a good reference for pinhole defect detection.

高纯度横波蝶形线圈电磁超声换能器优化设计

蝶形线圈电磁超声换能器(EMAT)能够在铝块中同时激发出超声横波和纵波,接收信号中存在横波反射回波和纵波反射回波,纵波回波会影响缺陷检测的准确性。该文设计了一种变尺寸蝶形线圈EMAT,通过改变线圈不同位置导线的宽度与间距,改变不同位置的换能效率,以实现横波的增强和纵波的抑制。首先,考虑永磁体的空间磁场分布,分析蝶形线圈EMAT不同位置导线所受洛伦兹力与激发超声波类型的关系,结合有限元声场云图,得到EMAT接收信号中存在多个回波的原因;其次,研究线圈参数对换能效率和横波纵波幅值比的影响规律,利用有限元仿真确定变尺寸EMAT的设计参数;最后,制备常规与变尺寸蝶形线圈EMAT,采集无缺陷铝合金试块的回波,结果表明,当永磁体直径与线圈中心宽度比为1.92时,纵波幅值削弱了66.1%,横波幅值增大了36.3%,横纵波幅值比从5.8升至23.1。该文设计的变尺寸蝶形线圈EMAT实现了对纵波的削弱和横波的增强,提升了横波电磁超声内部缺陷检测的可靠性。

基于Barker码脉冲压缩技术的钢板多阵元Lamb波电磁超声换能器设计与优化

为了解决传统Barker码脉冲压缩技术受脉冲功率放大器额定参数(占空比,最大脉冲宽度等)限制而导致的脉冲压缩效果下降、检测速度降低等问题,提出一种基于Barker码脉冲压缩技术的多阵元Lamb波电磁超声换能器(EMAT)。建立了基于tone-burst信号激励-Barker码脉冲压缩技术的多阵元Lamb波EMAT检测过程的有限元模型,分析了永磁体的配置形式、阵元序列长度、激励信号周期数、曲折线圈匝数等因素对脉冲压缩后的主旁瓣比和主瓣宽度的影响,并进行了实验验证。结果表明:曲折线圈匝数为4和Barker码序列长度为13位的多阵元EMAT在配置3对外置永磁体后,其信噪比(SNR)可提高9.8 dB。综合考虑检测回波的空间分辨率和SNR,多阵元Lamb波EMAT最佳参数为:曲折线圈匝数为10、激励信号周期数为11、Barker序列为13位,并配置3对外置永磁体。

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。