Flexible ACFM Sensor Array for Underwater Crack Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional nondestructive testing technologies for underwater structures are inefficient and costly, particularly in deep water areas, due to the complexity of detecting cracks without damaging coatings and the inability to monitor crack propagation in real-time effectively.
Innovation Solution
A visual monitoring system using a flexible alternating current field sensor array with a flexible Printed Circuit Board (PCB) excitation component and a planar sensor array, connected to a signal conditioning, acquisition, and power amplifier system, allowing for real-time monitoring of crack propagation without removing attachments or coatings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional nondestructive testing technology is used to detect cracks in underwater structures, then crack detection is possible, but the operation process is complicated and requires complete coating destruction and large-area attachment cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical cleaning and coating removal methods with an electromagnetic field-based detection system. The alternating current field sensor array detects cracks through electromagnetic induction without mechanical contact, eliminating the need for surface preparation and coating destruction while maintaining crack detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an alternating current field sensor array as an intermediary between the inspection system and the underwater structure. This sensor array acts as a non-contact mediator that detects crack-induced disturbances in the electromagnetic field, allowing defect detection without direct mechanical interaction or surface preparation
2Measurement precision
If conventional ACFM technology with single-point or linear array sensors is used, then crack detection is possible, but area crack monitoring cannot be realized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the monitoring area into a grid of multiple sensor elements arranged in an array configuration. Each sensor element monitors a specific zone, and the collective array provides comprehensive area coverage, enabling simultaneous detection of multiple cracks across the entire monitored surface
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from single-point or linear array sensing to a two-dimensional sensor array that covers an area on the structure surface. This dimensional expansion allows the system to monitor crack propagation across the entire area rather than at isolated points or along single lines
3Measurement precision
If conventional Bx and Bz amplitude characteristic signals are used for crack evaluation, then crack depth and length can be evaluated, but real-time visual monitoring of crack propagation endpoints and edges cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent processes the electromagnetic field signals to generate visual images that display crack propagation endpoints and edges. By transforming the magnetic field disturbance data into visual representations with varying intensities or colors corresponding to crack features, the system enables real-time visual monitoring of crack morphology and propagation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates visual copies or images of the crack propagation process by mapping the electromagnetic field signal variations to spatial coordinates. This generates a visual representation of the crack endpoints and edges that can be monitored in real-time, preserving information about crack morphology that would otherwise be lost in numerical measurements
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate, real-time visual monitoring of crack propagation and length evaluation, providing effective support for the monitoring, evaluation, and life prediction of corrosion cracks in marine structures without the need for extensive surface cleaning or coating removal.
Implementation Method 1
An alternating Current Field Measurement (ACFM) technology is a new electromagnetic nondestructive testing technology, which is mainly configured for surface crack detection of a conductive material, and uses a uniform current induced by a detection probe on the surface of a conductive specimen
Implementation Method 2
The current generates the disturbance around the defect to cause the distortion of a spatial magnetic field, and the defect detection and evaluation are performed by measuring the distorted magnetic field
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses a visual monitoring system of crack propagation of an underwater structure based on an alternating current field, and an alternating current field crack visual monitoring and evaluation method. The method includes that: a coil is used to design and manufacture an alternating current field monitoring sensor array, n alternating current field monitoring sensor component is formed by packaging, a power amplifier component is designed to provide an excitation signal for the alternating current field monitoring sensor component, a differential amplifier component is designed to amplify a weak sensing signal, a multiplexing component is designed to realize time-sharing multiplexing of multiple sensing signals, a signal amplification and filtering component is designed to further amplify and filter the signal, a wave detection component is designed to convert an AC signal into a DC signal, and excitation signal generation, multiplexing control signal output and signal acquisition are realized.