一种评价固体板材表面性质的非线性超声兰姆波方法

在基频与二倍频兰姆波相速度匹配但群速度失配的条件下, 通过选择适当的兰姆波二次谐波时域信号的测量起止时间, 可完全扣除换能器对二次谐波积分振幅测量所带来的影响。本文提出采用兰姆波二次谐波的积分振幅作为评价参量, 以实现对板材表面性质的准确评价。当板材表面性质发生改变时, 原本在理想表面条件下成立的基频与二倍频兰姆波相速度匹配的条件不再严格满足, 这将显著地影响到兰姆波的二次谐波发生效率, 相应的二次谐波积分振幅随表面性质的改变也将发生非常敏感的单调变化。实验结果表明,利用扣除换能器影响之后所测得的兰姆波二次谐波的积分振幅,可对板材表面性质的变化情况进行准确评价。     

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.     

Piezoelectric transducer parameter selection for exciting a single mode from multiple modes of Lamb waves

Excitation and propagation of Lamb waves by using rectangular and circular piezoelectric transducers surface-bonded to an isotropic plate are investigated in this work. Analytical stain wave solutions are derived for the two transducer shapes, giving the responses of these transducers in Lamb wave fields. The analytical study is supported by a numerical simulation using the finite element method. Symmetric and antisymmetric components in the wave propagation responses are inspected in detail with respect to test parameters such as the transducer geometry, the length and the excitation frequency. By placing only one piezoelectric transducer on the top or the bottom surface of the plate and weakening the strength of one mode while enhancing the strength of the other modes to find the centre frequency, with which the peak wave amplitude ratio between the S0 and A0 modes is maximum, a single mode excitation from the multiple modes of the Lamb waves can be achieved approximately. Experimental data are presented to show the validity of the analyses. The results are used to optimize the Lamb wave detection system.     

Lamb waves beam deviation due to small inclination of the test structure in air-coupled ultrasonic NDT

In Lamb waves inspection, an air-coupled transmitter transducer is oriented at a specific angle such that it generates a pure Lamb mode which propagates along the structure and interacts with any existing defects. For this inspection system, amplitude losses appears when small inclinations of the tested structure occurs. An important factor which affects directly these losses has been observed, it consists of the Lamb waves beam (LWB) deviation due to this bad alignment. In this work, a simple expression of LWB deviation has been deduced. This expression includes the test structure angle, phase velocity of generated Lamb mode, and the phase velocity of waves propagating in the coupled medium. A(0) Lamb mode is generated and detected in 1 mm thick aluminium plate sample using 1 MHz PZ27 piezoelectric transducers of 20 mm of diameter. Experimental LWB deviation angles are measured for different inclination angles of the test sample. A comparative study is released with theoretical results. For 1 degree of misalignment in the aluminium plate inclination, and transducers separation distance of 35 mm, LWB deviation angle is around 7 degrees and the amplitude is reduced by around 11%. Then, for a large separation distance, we must move the receiver transducer to detect the deviated LWB. It is shown that, for both theoretical and experimental studies, the LWB deviation and its measured amplitude are very sensitive to the alignment of the tested structure with respect to the transmitter-receiver transducers plane. In metal plates it is most satisfactory to use A(0) mode compared with S(0) mode since it is easy to excite and has a large amplitude and small deviation beam angles.     

Simulation of ultrasonic lamb wave generation, propagation and detection for a reconfigurable air coupled scanner

A computer simulator, to facilitate the design and assessment of a reconfigurable, air-coupled ultrasonic scanner is described and evaluated. The specific scanning system comprises a team of remote sensing agents, in the form of miniature robotic platforms that can reposition non-contact Lamb wave transducers over a plate type of structure, for the purpose of non-destructive evaluation (NDE). The overall objective is to implement reconfigurable array scanning, where transmission and reception are facilitated by different sensing agents which can be organised in a variety of pulse-echo and pitch-catch configurations, with guided waves used to generate data in the form of 2-D and 3-D images. The ability to reconfigure the scanner adaptively requires an understanding of the ultrasonic wave generation, its propagation and interaction with potential defects and boundaries. Transducer behaviour has been simulated using a linear systems approximation, with wave propagation in the structure modelled using the local interaction simulation approach (LISA). Integration of the linear systems and LISA approaches are validated for use in Lamb wave scanning by comparison with both analytic techniques and more computationally intensive commercial finite element/difference codes. Starting with fundamental dispersion data, the paper goes on to describe the simulation of wave propagation and the subsequent interaction with artificial defects and plate boundaries, before presenting a theoretical image obtained from a team of sensing agents based on the current generation of sensors and instrumentation.     

Air-coupled ultrasonic investigation of multi-layered composite materials

Air-coupled ultrasonics is fine alternative for the immersion testing technique. Usually a through transmission and a pitch-catch arrangement of ultrasonic transducers are used. The pitch-catch arrangement is very attractive for non-destructive testing and evaluation of materials, because it allows one-side access to the object. However, this technique has several disadvantages. It is sensitive to specularly reflected and edge waves. A spatial resolution depends on a distance between the transducers. A new method for detection and visualisation of inhomogeneities in composite materials using one-side access air-coupled ultrasonic measurement technique is described. Numerical predictions of Lamb wave interaction with a defect in a composite material are carried out and the interaction mechanism is explained. Experimental measurements are carried out with different arrangements of the transducers. The proposed method enables detect delamination and impact type defects in honeycomb materials.     

套管中模式波的响应特征*

在固井质量评价中主要利用套管中模式波的幅度或衰减变化反映水泥的胶结状况,不同测井仪器在套管中激发的模式波的类型不同,研究套管中各模式波的传播特征和影响因素可充分挖掘测量数据的潜在应用价值。CBL和SBT等测井仪器在套管中主要激发拉伸波,类同于平板中的零阶对称Lamb波,水泥环封隔测井仪器的斜入射模式在套管中主要激发套管弯曲波,类同于平板中的零阶反对称Lamb波,垂直入射模式激发套管共振波,类同于平板中的高阶对称Lamb波。该文重点分析了这些模式波的衰减特征及其对微环的响应,套管弯曲波在套后耦合轻质水泥时对微环不敏感,但在套后耦合常规水泥或重水泥时,其衰减明显高于胶结良好的状况;拉伸波对微环的存在最为敏感;套管共振波对微环不敏感。     

采用单个压电传感器的单模式兰姆波激发频率的选择

考虑了压电传感器(PZT)与板之间的耦合作用,从理论上研究了单个压电传感器激发时产生单模式兰姆波的频率调节方法,实验给出了模式选择在兰姆波结构健康监测中的应用. 在板材、板厚以及PZT尺寸一定的情况下,从理论上能够预测到作为频率函数的各兰姆波模式的幅值变化. 根据某特定兰姆波模式的幅值最大而其他模式幅值相对最小时所对应的频率,即可识别出该兰姆波模式优化的激发频率. 数值仿真验证了理论的有效性以及单模式兰姆波选择的可能性. 在不同的激发频率下,分别激发了优化的A0 模式,优化的S0模式以及共存的A0和S0模 关键词： 兰姆波 压电传感器 激发频率 结构健康监测     

PVDF梳状换能器接收非线性兰姆波的实验研究*

该文基于PVDF压电薄膜对梳状换能器进行设计制作,并将该换能器应用于接收非线性兰姆波信号实验研究。首先通过输出矢量和方法分析PVDF梳状换能器的工作特性,然后将设计制作的PVDF梳状换能器应用于铝板中非线性兰姆波信号的接收,并与传统压电陶瓷换能器经斜劈接收的非线性兰姆波信号进行比较分析。实验结果表明,两种换能器所接收到的信号幅值随传播距离的变化趋势相近,线性增长的积累效应表征结果相似,且PVDF梳状换能器可以对基波和二次谐波信号同时响应。除此之外,PVDF梳状换能器用于接收非线性兰姆波信号更加稳定。因此,PVDF梳状换能器有望应用于复杂构件的在线检测与监测研究。     

Acoustic scattering from a finite plate: generation of guided Lamb waves S(0), A(0) and A

In the domain of renewable energies, marine current turbines constitute one of the possibilities of producing electrical energy. Naked-eye inspection, or with the aid of video monitoring systems of these machines to ensure their perfect working order, can be difficult in a turbid environment. Acoustic methods are conceivable. The study focuses on the blades of these machines, by considering rectangular plates. The propagation of Lamb waves in a plate is studied by analyzing experimental time signals obtained from acoustic scattering. These signals are analyzed employing the ray theory. In vacuum, the flexural wave is the A(0) Lamb wave, whilst in water this wave splits in a bifurcation: the A wave with a phase velocity always smaller than the sound speed in water, and the A(0) wave with a phase velocity always higher than the sound speed in water. In the central bandpass of the transducers used in the experiments, mainly the A and S(0) waves exist. However, signals observed in the third harmonic bandpass of the transducers are also analyzed. In order to complement these results, resonance frequencies of the plate studied are calculated taking into account the boundary conditions and compared with the resonance frequencies of the experimental spectra.     

利用激光多普勒测振仪的空气耦合超声声场测量*

进行了空气耦合超声声场测量的实验研究。使用激光多普勒测振仪测量由声波引起的激光路径上的介质折射率变化,进而得到空气和固体材料内部的时域瞬态声压。通过直接测量空耦换能器的辐射声功率,给出对单个空耦换能器灵敏度的直接评价方法。用空耦换能器激励K9玻璃板的漏兰姆波,观测到空气中的直达波和反射波、固体板内和空气中的漏兰姆波,实现了空气和固体中微弱声波的非侵入式实验测量,为空耦换能器的特性评估和空耦检测系统的声场测量提供了实验方法。     

Effect of misalignment of air-coupled probes on Ao Lamb mode propagating in a metal plate

Proper alignment of air-coupled ultrasonic transducers for generation and reception of Lamb waves is vital in order to acquire a high amplitude wave group. Any misalignment with either the transmitter or the receiver or both adversely influences the amplitude of a Lamb mode. This paper reports a systematic attempt to quantify the reduction in the amplitude of the fundamental anti-symmetric Lamb mode (A_o) in a metal plate caused by misalignments in air-coupled probes. Three different types of misalignments – linear, orientation and synchronised orientation were deliberately introduced in the transducers, and experiments were performed on a 6 mm thick aluminium plate. Amplitudes of A_o mode measured at various configurations were normalised with that of A_o mode, captured in a reference configuration. Suitable curves fitted over the experimental data points revealed that Gaussian curves represent appropriately the variations in normalised amplitudes of A_o mode. Moreover, analytical expressions were derived to predict the difference in arrival times of Lamb mode(s) due to orientation and synchronised orientation misalignments.     

Microcrack localization using a collinear Lamb wave frequency-mixing technique in a thin plate

A novel Lamb wave frequency-mixing technique is proposed for locating microcracks in a thin plate,which does not require the resonance condition of Lamb wave mixing and can accurately locate the microcracks through only one-time sensing.Based on the bilinear stress-strain constitutive model,a two-dimensional finite element(FE)model is built to investigate the frequency-mixing response induced by the interaction between two primary Lamb waves and a microcrack.When two primary Lamb waves of A0 and S0 modes with different frequencies excited on the same side of the plate simultaneously impinge on the examined microcrack,under the modulation of the contact acoustic nonlinearity,the microcrack itself can be deemed as the secondary sound source and it will radiate the Lamb waves of new combined frequencies.Based on the time of flight of the generated A0 mode at difference frequency,an indicator named normalized amplitude index(NAI)is defined to directly locate the multi-microcracks in the given plate.It is found that the number and location of the microcracks can be intuitively visualized by using the NAI based frequency-mixing technique.It is also demonstrated that the proposed frequency mixing technique is a promising approach for the microcrack localization.     

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.     

An experimental study on the behavior of Ao mode transduced using misaligned air-coupled transducers in composite laminates

Air-coupled transducers can be employed for generation and reception of Lamb waves in composite laminates. To generate and receive a particular Lamb mode, the transducers are oriented in a particular angle. The orientations of transducers also determine amplitude of a particular Lamb mode of interest. Any deviation (misalignment) from the right orientation results in a reduction in the amplitude. Therefore, an attempt has been made to establish variation in amplitude of the fundamental anti-symmetric Lamb mode (A_o) when misalignments were purposefully introduced in the air-coupled probes. In the present work, three different misalignments – linear, orientation and synchronized orientation were envisaged. Experiments were performed on two laminates – unidirectional ([0₃]_s) and cross-ply ([0/90₂/0]_s) of GFRP (Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic) material. Curves were fitted on experimental data to characterize variation in amplitude of A_o mode in each misalignment. Moreover, wave splitting and merging was observed when the probe(s) was (were) rotated in a particular direction in orientation and synchronized orientation misalignments.     

金属板疲劳损伤非线性兰姆波混频检测

针对金属板结构安全运行需要,开展了金属板结构疲劳损伤非线性兰姆波混频检测方法研究.通过数值仿真,研究了两列A0兰姆波与材料损伤间的非线性相互作用.结果 表明,两列共线A0兰姆波在结构材料损伤处产生单向传播的和频S0波,且和频波幅值随传播距离具有积累增长效应.对不同疲劳程度金属板试件进行了共线混频兰姆波检测实验,结果表明...     

Study on measurement of dispersive characteristics of higher order mode Lamb waves

The dispersive characteristics of higher order mode Lamb waves (HOMLW) excited by interdigital transducers (IDT) are measured and analyzed, which are necessary for designing micro-sensor in ultrahigh frequency (UHF). A measurement system is set up, in which dispersive characteristics of HOMLW are obtained by the method of transform between frequency and time domains. The characteristics of amplitude-frequency and phase-frequency of Lamb wave are auto-measured by the system. By IFFT, the pulse response of the IDT device was obtained. Different modes were separated in time domain and dispersive curve of each mode is calculated by FFT. The best mode is chosen to design the micro-sensor in UHF. The phase velocity of HOMLW is greater than the surface wave (SAW) velocity and an oscillator in higher frequency can be made, so the absolute sensitivity of micro-sensor can be increased. In this paper, the dispersive characteristics of HOMLW excited by an IDT in a 127.86 degrees rotated Y-cut, X propagating lithium niobate plate is analyzed. An oscillator using a(13) mode is made, the phase velocity of which is measured about 19,652 m/s when h/lambda=0.94 (h=plate thickness, lambda=wavelength).     

System for determination of ultrasonic wave speeds and their temperature dependence in liquids and in vitro tissues

An interferometric technique capable of accurately measuring wave speed in liquids is reported. The hardware is adapted from a design to measure nonlinear responses of biological tissues to pressure changes (pressure derivatives) and temperature changes (temperature derivatives). It is used with the highly sensitive variable frequency pulsed phase-locked loop (VFPPLL) instrument. The system uses well-understood and well-characterized components and systems. The apparatus covers a temperature range from below 5 degrees C to above 45 degrees C. The system with the high-sensitivity VFPPLL is capable of measurement of wave speed to an uncertainty of less than 0.1%, and changes in wave speed to better than 0.001%. The transducer is an undamped temperature-characterized PZT-5A 500-kHz plate, whose output is corrected for off-resonance operation and for diffraction effects. To test the accuracy of the technique, measurement of ultrasonic compressional wave speed in water at temperatures from 10 degrees C to 45 degrees C are reported, with an estimated uncertainty of 0.07% and a temperature uncertainty of 0.15 degrees C. The agreement between mean values and literature values is better than 0.05%.     

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.     

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。