电磁超声换能器激发超声兰姆波的模式展开分析

提出一种用于研究电磁超声换能器(EM.AT)激发超声兰姆波的模式展开分析方法。从EMAT曲折线圈的电流分布出发,推导出铝板表面洛伦兹切向应力的形式解;对其进行空间傅里叶变换,得到激发超声兰姆波的表面驱动应力之波数谱密度。在此基础上采用导波激发的模式展开分析方法,推导出与EMAT线圈的几何参数密切相关的兰姆波模式展开系数的数学表达式,为严格分析EMAT的兰姆波激发问题奠定了理论基础。数值分析结果表明,通过改变EMAT线圈的几何参数,可对兰姆波的模式展开系数进行适当调整,从而实现有效抑制不需要兰姆波模式的目的,这一结果为采用EMAT激发纯度高的单一兰姆波模式提供了理论依据。      

Modal expansion analyses of ultrasonic Lamb waves generated by electromagnetic ultrasonic transducers

A modal expansion approach has been proposed for investigating generation of ultrasonic Lamb waves by electromagnetic acoustic transducers（EMATs）.Based on the current distribution of the EMAT＇s meandering coil,the formal solution for the Lorentz surface stress applied on the plate surface has been derived.Then the function of the wave-number spectral density of the Lorentz surface stress for generating ultrasonic Lamb waves has been obtained using the spatial Fourier transform.On this basis,with the modal expansion approach for waveguide excitation,the mathematical expression of the Lamb wave＇s mode expansion coefficient has been deduced,which is closely related with the geometrical parameters of the EMAT＇s meandering coil.The mathematical relationship between the Lamb wave＇s mode expansion coefficient and the EMAT＇s geometrical parameters,obtained in this paper,lays a theoretical foundation for exactly analyzing generation of Lamb waves by EMATs.Further,the numerical analyses performed indicate that the Lamb wave＇s mode expansion coefficient can be appropriately adjusted by changing the geometrical parameters of the EMAT＇s coil,and thus the unwanted Lamb wave modes can be effectively restrained.This result provides a theoretical basis for generating a single and pure Lamb wave mode by the meandering coil EMAT.     

超声Lamb波二次谐波发生效率分析与模式选择

在导波模式展开分析方法的基础上,提出激发效率参量来定量表征超声Lamb波积累二次谐波的发生效率。以P92钢板为例,理论计算得到了与频散曲线对应的理论激发效率参量分布图谱,从图谱中选择理论激发效率参量大小不同的两种基频Lamb波模式:纵波型S1模式和交点型A2/S2模式,分别测量这两种基频Lamb波模式在钢板中传播时产生的二次谐波信号。理论计算和实验测量结果表明,这两种基频Lamb波模式的理论和实验激发效率参量的比值基本一致,且激发效率参量较大的纵波型S1模式能激发出效率更高的二次谐波信号。研究结果表明激发效率参量可以有效的用于Lamb波二次谐波发生效率的表征及模式选择。      

Conventional electromagnetic acoustic transducer development for optimum Lamb wave modes

Lamb waves are normally utilized for inspecting thin metal sheets. Wheel type probes using piezoelectric oscillators have generally been used as the sensors for Lamb waves. Recently, the electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) has been developed and is beginning to be used as a Lamb wave detector. We have developed a useful type of transducer for Lamb waves. The new EMAT consists of a meander coil with a narrow distance of 2.5 mm and has a symmetrical structure in the vertical direction for both surface sides. The new EMAT can generate Lamb waves with variable wavelengths corresponding to the frequency range from approximately 300 kHz to 2.5 MHz and multiple modes, and can also generate selected symmetrical and anti-symmetrical mode Lamb waves. It is demonstrated that the optimum Lamb wave mode could be produced by the appropriate positioning of the EMATs and controlling the phase (same or inversed) of the electrical signal driving the device. The described EMAT can be used to examine steel (or other material) sheets of different thickness. It is also shown that the S0 (0.3 MHz) mode Lamb wave is the most effective for the deepest (up to 6 mm) penetration.     

Development of an advanced multimode automatic ultrasonic texture measurement system for laboratory and production line application

We present work on the development of an ultrasonic texture measurement system for sheet metals using non-contact transducers, suitable for use both in the laboratory and on the production line. Variation of the velocity of the zero-order symmetric (S0) Lamb wave is used to determine the crystallographic texture of polycrystalline metal sheets ranging in thickness from 0.1 to 3 mm. This system features improvements on previous state-of-the-art ultrasonic technology in that it probes velocity over a continuous range of angles using only two electromagnetic acoustic transducers (EMATs). This is demonstrated to offer a significant improvement in accuracy and allows the detection and investigation of asymmetric anisotropies in the sheets. Another advantage of the system is its potential for combining several different measurements using a single pair of transducers. The capability is demonstrated for through-thickness shear wave measurements as well as the zero-order symmetric Lamb wave measurements which are the primary means of determining the texture. The change between generating Lamb and through-thickness bulk waves can be made entirely by changing the electrical circuit connected to the EMATs without modifying the transducer assembly in any way. Measurement of all of the above waves can provide information on the sheet thickness and other physical properties of the sheet in addition to texture. Certain texture parameters can be calculated from both Lamb and shear wave velocities, allowing self-calibration of the system.     

Characterization of surface properties of a solid plate using nonlinear Lamb wave approach

A nonlinear Lamb wave approach is presented for characterizing the surface properties of a solid plate. This characterization approach is useful for some practical situations where ultrasonic transducers cannot touch the surfaces to be inspected, e.g. the inside surfaces of sealed vessels. In this paper, the influences of changes in the surface properties of a solid plate on the effect of second-harmonic generation by Lamb wave propagation were analyzed. A surface coating with the different properties was used to simulate changes in the surface properties of a solid plate. When the areas and thicknesses of coatings on the surface of a given solid plate changed, the amplitude-frequency curves both of the fundamental waves and the second harmonics by Lamb wave propagation were measured under the condition that Lamb waves had a strong nonlinearity. It was found that changes in the surface properties might clearly affect the efficiency of second-harmonic generation by Lamb wave propagation. The Stress Wave Factors (SWFs) in acousto-ultrasonic technique were used for reference, and the definitions of the SWFs of Lamb waves were introduced. The preliminary experimental results showed that the second-harmonic SWF of Lamb wave propagation could effectively be used to characterize changes in the surface properties of the given solid plate.     

基于频散补偿和分数阶微分的多模式兰姆波分离

由于兰姆波的多模和频散特性,实际检测时在同一激发频率下存在多种模式的混合信号,而各模式信号有不同的频散特性,使得在时频混叠的情况下兰姆波的检测变得十分复杂.本文在频散补偿的基础上,通过时延函数建模,依靠不同模式频散趋势的差异性,将时频混叠信号的分离问题转化为部分模式混叠信号的分离问题.基于分数阶微分的理论,用信号幅值谱分数阶微分极大值和对应频率分别与微分阶次拟合多项式实现特征参数的提取并依靠特征参数重建幅值谱.结合相位谱重构时域信号以实现部分混叠信号中频散补偿后的模式的分离.最后恢复频散获得分离后的兰姆波信号.仿真和实验结果表明,本文方法不仅可以实现时频混叠多模式兰姆波信号的分离,更能保证分离精度,有助于复杂多模式频散信号的分离与处理的进一步研究.     

固体板中SH板波非线性效应的实验观察

采用微扰近似和导波的模式展开分析方法,从理论上简要分析了SH板波的二次谐波发生效应;尽管在无限大固体介质中单个切变波的二次谐波发生效应非常微弱,但在一定条件下由两个切变波构成的SH板波可具有强烈的非线性效应;本文的主要工作就是对此结论加以实验验证。试制了激发SH板波的切变波斜劈换能器和接收二次谐波信号的液体斜劈换能器,建立了非线性SH板波的实验研究系统;通过详细的理论分析和对比实验研究,阐明了在一定条件下实验观察到的显著二次谐波信号来源于SH板波传播过程中的强烈非线性效应。此外,针对不同的SH板波传播距离,在远场条件下分别测量了相应的二次谐波幅频曲线;在基频SH板波与二倍频对称兰姆波相速度相等所对应的频率值附近,分析了二次谐波的振幅随传播距离的变化关系,结果证明在一定条件下SH板波的二次谐波振幅可随传播距离积累增长,即SH板波可具有强烈的非线性效应。      

Damage detection in composite panels based on mode-converted Lamb waves sensed using 3D laser scanning vibrometer

This paper introduces damage identification approach based on guided ultrasonic waves and 3D laser Doppler vibrometry. The method is based on the fact that the symmetric and antisymmetric Lamb wave modes differ in amplitude of the in-plane and out-of-plane vibrations. Moreover, the modes differ also in group velocities and normally they are well separated in time. For a given time window both modes can occur simultaneously only close to the wave source or to a defect that leads to mode conversion. By making the comparison between the in-plane and out-of-plane wave vector components the detection of mode conversion is possible, allowing for superior and reliable damage detection. Experimental verification of the proposed damage identification procedure is performed on fuel tank elements of Reusable Launch Vehicles designed for space exploration. Lamb waves are excited using low-profile, surface-bonded piezoceramic transducers and 3D scanning laser Doppler vibrometer is used to characterize the Lamb wave propagation field. The paper presents theoretical background of the proposed damage identification technique as well as experimental arrangements and results.     

轨道板中超声兰姆波传播的有限元计算和实验*

该文针对我国高速铁路轨道板缺陷的非接触动态检测问题,研究了空气耦合超声兰姆波在轨道板中的传播规律。首先,给出了轨道板中超声兰姆波的相速度和群速度频散曲线,结果表明:随着频厚积的增加,频散现象越明显,并且A0相速度收敛于Rayleigh波的波速。然后,建立轨道板中波传播的有限元模型,计算得到兰姆波传播的群速度为2220 m/s,且二维傅里叶变换系数的较大值沿Rayleigh波的频散曲线分布。最后,在沪杭高铁嘉兴南站进行了现场测试,以8.8°倾斜角向轨道板激励产生超声兰姆波,激发产生的兰姆波模态群速度为2325 m/s,且二维傅里叶变换分析其系数的较大值沿Rayleigh波的频散曲线分布。有限元计算结果和实验结果均与理论计算结果一致。该研究为后续轨道板缺陷的非接触动态检测提供了理论依据和实验方法。     

基于群速度失配的超声兰姆波二次谐波的时域测量方法

考虑到发射和接收换能器对超声兰姆波时域二次谐波信号所带来的不可避免的影响,提出一种基于基频与二倍频兰姆波群速度失配的超声兰姆波二次谐波的时域测量方法。当基频与二倍频超声兰姆波的相速度匹配而群速度失配时,在超声兰姆波传播过程中所发生的二次谐波信号,在时域上可与源于斜劈换能器的二次谐波信号相分离。采用仅源自于基频兰姆波的时域二次谐波的积分振幅,定量描述兰姆波二次谐波的发生效率。以铝板中传播的兰姆波为例,给出了时域二次谐波的具体测量过程。本文提出的测量方法放宽了超声兰姆波二次谐波的测量条件,且扣除了换能器对二次谐波信号所带来的影响,所测得的二次谐波信号完全来自于基频兰姆波时域信号的二次谐波发生效应。      

Transient Lamb waves: comparison between theory and experiment

This paper presents an experimental investigation of the generation of transient Lamb waves inside an immersed plate by a time limited signal. The transient Lamb waves are the solutions of the characteristic equation of the plate for complex frequency and real slowness, in contrast to the leaky Lamb waves, for which the slowness is complex and the frequency is real. By using a large transducer in agreement with the real slowness assumption, the excitation of these transient Lamb waves is observed experimentally both in reflection and transmission for a tone burst excitation. Particular attention is paid to the A0 mode for which the amplitude increases exponentially in time. As a result, the total reflected waveform contains in this case a transient contribution, coming from the generation of the A0 mode, that precedes the forced regime. It is shown that there is a very good agreement between the theoretical and the experimental time exponential amplitude variations of the transient Lamb waves. For the A0 mode, the transient signal is qualitatively explained by a group velocity higher than the phase velocity.     

Detection of cracks in metal sheets using pulsed laser generated ultrasound and EMAT detection

A pulsed Nd:YAG laser with an approximately Gaussian beam shape is directed onto the surface of an aluminium sheet at an energy density below which damage by laser ablation occurs, generating Lamb waves in the sheet. The laser beam is raster scanned across the surface of the sample. The Lamb waves travel radially outwards from the generation point and are detected some distance away by an electromagnetic acoustic transducer with sensitivity to in-plane displacements of the sheet. A number of static EMATs are located around the edges of the sheet, some distance from the generation point. The presence of a crack-like defect on the sheet can be detected by either a sudden change in the ultrasonic waveform or by an enhancement in the frequency content of the waveform when the laser beam illuminates directly onto the crack.     

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 antisymmetric(A0) mode and symmetric(S0) 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.     

Estimation of wall thinning in mild steel using laser ultrasound Lamb waves and a non-steady-state photo-emf detector

In this work, a non-steady-state photo-emf receiver has been used to detect the lower frequency fundamental a0 Lamb waves in mild steel. Experimentally, the Lamb waves are laser-generated in the thermoelastic regime using a Q-switched, 20 ns, pulsed Nd:YAG laser and a line source. Typical Lamb waves had centre frequencies of 250 kHz but with frequency components that extended beyond 1 MHz. In mild steel, higher order Lamb wave modes were not considered to be significant below a frequency thickness product of 1.6 MHz mm. Below this level, associated velocity dispersion curve offered phase velocity changes that were sensitive to thickness change. Samples up to 5 mm in thickness were examined without significant interference from higher order modes. A non-steady-state photo-emf detector used as the ultrasonic detector had the advantage of a lower frequency cut-off at 100 kHz compared to a confocal Fabry-Pérot interferometer (CFPI) of about 2 MHz. Both schemes offered greater stand-off distance (>20 cm) than is possible with EMATs, which have a stand-off distance less than 1.0 mm. Progress made in detecting wall thinning in steel plate with thickness up to 5 mm is reported.     

管间界面特性对周向超声导波传播特性的影响

采用界面弹簧模型对圆管结构的管间界面特性进行描述, 推导出含弱界面的圆管结构中声波沿周向传播时的位移场及应力场的数学表达式. 在此基础上采用导波的模式展开分析方法, 给出了与管间界面特性及激励源密切相关的周向超声导波模式展开系数的解析表达式. 数值分析了管间界面特性的变化对周向超声导波的频散和声场产生的影响. 理论与数值分析结果表明, 通过选择适当的驱动频率及周向导波模式, 可使周向超声导波的相速度及圆管外表面的位移场随管间界面特性的变化表现出非常敏感且单调的性质. 这一结果有助于采用周向超声导波方法准确定征圆管结构的管间界面特性.     

Coupling mechanism of an EMAT

Electro-magnetic acoustic transducers (EMATs) generate ultrasonic waves in metals through an electromagnetic coupling mechanism. A concept for EMAT generation, using a coil alone without a permanent magnet, but with a pulse generator and a sample, is introduced. A simplified equivalent coil circuit is given, and has been validated by experimental measurements. Such an equivalent circuit is useful for excitation current calculations, which have often been neglected in previous publications in this area but have proved to be of great importance in considering the efficiency and frequency characteristics of ultrasonic generation. Due to the coil sample coupling, the equivalent coil inductance is dependent on the electrical conductivity and magnetic permeability of the metal sample, the lift-off, the coil orientation relative to the metal sample and the coil configuration. The use of a coil alone to generate ultrasound has limited applications as a suitable ultrasonic detector must also be used, but where appropriate this type of generation source provides a robust, non-contact and inexpensive means of ultrasonic generation without worrying the permanent magnet attracting ferromagnetic particles that can prevent from practical on-line application of EMATs.     

Experimental study of ultrasonic beam sectors for energy conversion into Lamb waves and Rayleigh waves

When a bounded beam is incident on an immersed plate Lamb waves or Rayleigh waves can be generated. Because the amplitude of a bounded beam is not constant along its wave front, a specific beam profile is formed that influences the local efficiency of energy conversion of incident sound into Lamb waves or Rayleigh waves. Understanding this phenomenon is important for ultrasonic immersion experiments of objects because the quality of such experiments highly depends on the amount of energy transmitted into the object. This paper shows by means of experiments based on monochromatic Schlieren photography that the area within the bounded beam responsible for Lamb wave generation differs from that responsible for Rayleigh wave generation. Furthermore it provides experimental verification of an earlier numerical study concerning Rayleigh wave generation.     

Generation of narrowband Lamb waves based on the Michelson interference technique

An optical method of generating narrowband Lamb waves is presented. It is carried out with a laser line array in a thermoelastic regime implemented by the Michelson interference technique, where the formed array element spacing can be flexibly and conveniently changed to achieve selective mode excitation. In order to simulate the displacement response generated by this array, its intensity distribution function is presented to build a theoretical analysis model and to derive the integral representation of the displacement response. The experimental device and measuring system are built to generate and detect the Lamb waves on a steel plate. Numerical calculation results of narrowband Lamb wave displacement signals based on the theoretical model show good agreement with experimental results.     

Shear Wave Field Radiated by an Electromagnetic Acoustic Transducer

The horizontally polarized ultrasonic shear wave field emitted by an electromagnetic acoustic transducer （EMAT） is studied by the surface force distribution on the EMAT approximately described as an inhomogeneous horizontal shear force. The shear wave directivity pattern is plotted by numerical calculations based on our strictly analytic solutions of the wave field we presented previously. An experimental system of EMAT generation and piezoelectric transducer reception is set up to check the predictions of the theoretical wave field by measuring the ultrasonic signals through aluminium block. The directivity pattern of the wave field obtained from the experimental results conforms the theoretical prediction, which lays a foundation for engineering applications of EMATs.