APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING PROPERTIES OF AN ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE OBJECT

Abstract: The method relates to describing an electromagnetic signal generated by eddy currents in a conductive material. The electromagnetic signal V(t) is described by at least one product of two factors F and G(t), where F is a function of the geometry of the material and the electrical and magnetic properties of the material, and where G(t) is a function of the geometry of the material, the electrical and magnetic properties of the material, the thickness perpendicular to the surface of the material and time. The method can be extended to a method for determining material properties of an object.

Description: Title: Apparatus for determining properties of an electrically conductive object. This invention relates to a method for describing an electromagnetic signal generated by eddy currents in a conductive material. Such a method can be used inter alia in determining properties of an electrically conductive measuring object composed of that material. This invention relates in particular to a method for determining properties of an electrically conductive measuring object, wherein: a. utilizing at least one transmitting antenna, an electromagnetic field changing over time is emitted to the measuring object for generating eddy currents in the object; b. utilizing at least one receiving antenna, the electromagnetic signal generated by the eddy currents is detected; and c. on the basis of the detected electromagnetic signal, the properties of the measuring object are determined. This invention further relates to an apparatus for practising such a method. Such a method and apparatus are known from, for instance, U.S. Patent 4,843,319. In this known method and apparatus, by means of a transmitting coil, a pulsated electromagnetic field is generated in the material of the measuring object. This gives rise to time-dependent eddy currents in the material. These eddy currents are detected by means of a receiving coil. The eddy currents, which change with time, cause a changing magnetic flux through the receiving coil, so that an induction voltage prevails across the receiving coil. Utilizing an amplifier, this changing induction voltage can be registered as a function of time. Thus, the electromagnetic signal generated by the eddy currents is detected as a function of the time t. ith the known apparatus, it is stated that the time- dependent behavior of the signal for small times t is determined by a constant logarithmic rate of decay of about 1.5. in other words, the received signal can be described with a signal V(t) , to which the following relation applies: d(ln V)/d(ln t) = -1.5. Beyond a certain critical time, designated τ and which is directly proportional to the square of the thickness of the surface of the material of the object under examination, so that τ = cd 2 , the logarithmic rate of decay falls to a lower value which equals A-2.17In (t) . In other words, the following applies where t is greater than τ: d(ln V)/d(ln t) = A-2.17ln(t) . Here A is determined by the material properties and the geometry of the measuring object. Accordingly, before the thickness of the measuring object can be determined, first the constants c and A are to be determined. Determining the constants c and A is carried out through two measurements on two different test objects of the same material but having different, homogeneous wall thicknesses. This means that for carrying out the method, at all times two mutually different test specimens are to be at hand. Further, in this known method and apparatus, from a single measurement, only the homogeneous wall thickness of the material can be computed, furthermore, the apparatus is limited to the use of a receiving coil for measuring the signal. The invention contemplates a solution to the disadvantages outlined above. Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus wherein for detecting the wall thickness of a measuring object, only a single measurement on a test object is to be performed beforehand. Another object of the invention is to make it possible to determine the distribution of wall thicknesses of the material of the measuring object. A further object of the invention is to determine, instead of the wall thicknesses, the permeability and the conductivity of the material of the measuring object. It is even possible to determine the spread in the conductivity or the spread in the relative permeability of the material. In order to provide a basis for carrying out such methods, the method for describing an electromagnetic signal generated by eddy currents in an electrically conductive material is characterized, according to the invention, in that the signal V(t) is described by at least one product of two factors F and G(t) , where F is a function of the geometry of the material and the electrical and magnetic properties of the material, and where G(t) is a function of the geometry of the material, the electrical and magnetic properties of the material, the thickness perpendicular to the surface of the material and time. The method according to the invention, in which said description of the signal is utilized for determining properties of an electrically conductive measuring object, is characterized in that utilizing a predetermined algorithm, parameters τ± and/or — or parameters to be Mi derived from these parameters of the equation n or equation to be derived therefrom, with i = 1, 2, ... n (4) and ∑θi-l ( 5 ) i=l are selected such that N (t) according to a predetermined criterion of the algorithm corresponds to the course over time of the detected electromagnetic signal, where , β, y , δ and m are real numbers which are dependent on the geometry of the measuring object, the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna, as well as on the relative positions of the object, the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna, μi represents the magnetic permeability of an area i of the measuring object and σi represents the electrical conductivity of the area i of the measuring object, and the areas i (i = 1, 2, ..., n) together generate the detected electromagnetic signal. When with this method the thickness di of the material is to be determined, it is necessary only once, using a test object, to determine the magnetic permeability and the electrical conductivity of the material. The values of α, β, y, δ and m can, in principle, given a known geometry of the transmitting antenna, receiving antenna and the object, be priorly calculated on the basis of a simulation model. When the conductivity or relative permeability is known, it is possible, using the method outlined above, to determine the wall thickness of the material.on the basis of the formula τi = μiσ±di 2 with i=n=l. It is also possible to determine the distribution of wall thicknesses of the material, given a known conductivity and a known relative permeability of the material , with n > 2. The invention further makes it possible to determine the conductivity and the relative permeability of the material, given a known wall thickness. It is even possible to determine the spread in the conductivity or the spread in the relative permeability of the material, given a known wall thickness. The above will be further explained with reference to the drawing, in which: Fig. l shows a possible embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention for practising a method according to the invention on a measuring object; and Fig. 2 shows a possible embodiment of a test object. The apparatus 1 according to Fig. l comprises a transmitting antenna 2 in the form of a coil which is coupled to a transmitter unit 4. Further, the apparatus comprises a receiving antenna 6, similarly in the form of a receiving coil, which is coupled to a receiver unit 8. The transmitter unit 4 and the receiver unit 8 are coupled to a computer 10.. The apparatus further comprises an input unit 12, in this example a keyboard, and a display 14, each connected to the computer 10. Fig. l further shows a measuring object 16. Properties of the measuring object, such as its thickness, magnetic permeability and electrical conductivity, can be measured by means of the apparatus 1. If the thickness, the magnetic permeability and the electrical conductivity are the same throughout, the entire measuring area, which is designated in Fig. 1 by the arrow 22, can be considered homogeneous. It is also possible, however, that within the measuring area 22 different thicknesses occur, for instance a thickness dι=ι in the area i=l, which is indicated in Fig. l by the arrows 18, and a thickness di= 2 i n the area i=2, which is indicated in Fig. l by the arrow 20. Also,- the thickness may be the same throughout, while in the area i=l the magnetic permeability μι = ι and/or the electrical conductivity σi =i differs from the magnetic permeability μι-- 2 and/or the electrical conductivity σι =2 in the area i=2. The operation of the apparatus is as follows. Using the transmitter unit 4 and the transmitting coil 2, a pulsating electromagnetic field is generated in the measuring area 22 of the object 16. In this example, the assumption is that a pulse to the generated electromagnetic field can be described with the ideal dirac pulse. However, this is not necessary to the invention. The electromagnetic field thus generated in the measuring area 22 and varying, will have as a result that eddy currents are generated. According to Lenz's law, the flow of those eddy currents is such that the change of the electromagnetic field is counteracted. These eddy currents, in turn, generate a changing electromagnetic field, so that according to Faraday's law an induction voltage arises on the receiving coil 6. In other words, the receiving coil 6 detects an electromagnetic signal that is generated by the eddy currents. This electromagnetic signal is measured by means of the receiver unit 8 and applied to the computer 10. The measured electromagnetic signal is here described with S (t) . In all particular embodiments of the method according to the invention to be described in more detail hereinafter, the assumption is that the measured signal S(t) can be described by a signal V(t) which comprises at least one product of two factors F and G(t) , where F is a function of the geometry of the measuring object 16 and the electrical and magnetic properties of the material of the measuring object 16. G(t) is also a function of the geometry of the measuring object 16, the electrical and magnetic properties of the material of the measuring object 16, the thickness perpendicular to the surface 24 of the measuring object 16 and time. Because the changing electromagnetic field is emitted using the transmitting antenna 2 and because the electromagnetic signal is detected using the receiving antenna 6, factors F and G are each also a function of the geometry of the transmitting and receiving antennas, as well as of the relative positions of the transmitting antenna, the receiving antenna and the measuring object. More particularly, according to the invention, the following approximation for the signal V(t) has been found: n V(t) =∑θiFiGi(t) (1) i=l where α, β, y , δ and m are dependent on the geometry of the material, σi represents the conductivity of an area i of the material and μ± represents the magnetic permeability of the area i of the material, and the areas i (i = l, 2, ..., n) together generate the signal V(t) . Here α, β, y , δ and m are also dependent on the geometry of the transmitting antenna and receiving antenna, as well as on the relative positions of the material, the transmitting and the receiving antenna. If the above-mentioned method for describing the electromagnetic signal generated by the eddy currents is used, the following method for determining properties of the object can be carried out. Using a predetermined algorithm, parameters τ ± and/or — μi or parameters to be derived from these parameters of the equation n V(t) =£θiFiGi(t) (1) i=l or an equation to be derived therefrom, with i = l, 2, ... n (4) and n ∑θi-l ( 5 ) i=l are selected such that V(t) , according to a predetermined criterion of the algorithm, corresponds to the course over time of the detected . electromagnetic signal. Suppose, for instance, that the thickness d of the measuring area 22 of the measuring object 16 is to be determined. The assumption is that the thickness d is uniform, that is, Because the geometry of the measuring object 16, the transmitting antenna 2, the receiving antenna 6 and their relative positions in this example are known, α, β, y , δ and m can be calculated in a manner known per se, using a simulation model. These parameters can therefore be assumed to be known. It is also assumed that the material of the measuring object is homogeneous. In other words, the magnetic permeability and the electrical conductivity are the same in the entire measuring area 22. This means that in itself no distinction needs to be made between signals coming from the area i=l on the one hand and the area i=2 on the other. In the above- mentioned formula l, therefore, i=n=i can be selected. The magnetic permeability μ x of the material will hereinafter be designated μo, while the conductivity σ x of the material will hereinafter be designated σ 0 . First of all, μ 0 or σ 0 is to be determined on the basis of a calibration measurement. This calibration measurement is carried out as follows. The measuring object 16 is replaced by a test object 26 (see Fig. 2) whose thickness do is known. Then the apparatus l is activated. It measures the signal G(t) coming from the test object 26. The computer 10 then selects, according to a predetermined algorithm, the parameters μo and σo such that according to a predetermined criterion of the algorithm, V(t) corresponds to the course over time of the electromagnetic signal S(t) generated by the eddy currents in the test object and detected by the receiving antenna 4. Further, according to the invention, τi = μ±σid 2 (6) . Because i=n=l, it follows from formula 6 that τi = μ 0 σ 0 <-. 0 2 . By substituting τ \ in formula 1 by μ 0 σ 0 do 2 , it is possible, for instance according to the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm, to determine μo and σo such that N (t ) corresponds accurately to S(t). Thus, μo and σo have been determined. The test object 26 is then replaced by the measuring object 16. Again, using the transmitting antenna 2, a changing electromagnetic field is generated. Again, the electromagnetic signal S(t) subsequently detected by the receiver unit 8 is applied to the computer 10. Then the parameters τ x an 3 — (or parameters which can be derived Ul therefrom) of the equation n V(t) =∑θiFiGi(t) (1) i=i or an equation derivable therefrom, with Gi( = ι + αf( β β- t J e B β" t D) i = n = l (4) and θ ± =i (5) are selected such that V(t) , according to a predetermined criterion of the algorithm, corresponds to the course over time of the detected electromagnetic signal S(t). Thus, τι and ~ of the measuring object have been μi determined. Further, according to formula 6, τ x 2 = . This means that di can be determined on the basis of the τ x and — found, and on the basis of the known value μ] = μo or σi μi = σo . The thus obtained value of d x corresponds to the homogeneous thickness do of the material. It may also happen, however, that the material of the measuring object 16 includes a defect or flaw. In that case, the thickness of the measuring object is not the same throughout. In the example of Fig. l, the assumption was that the thickness in the areas i=l equals di, while the thickness in the area i=2 equals d 2 . The values for di and d 2 can presently be determined as follows. In formula l, n is selected to be greater than or equal to 2. In this example, n is selected to be, for instance, 4. Again, the assumption is that the magnetic and electrical properties of the material are homogeneous. In other words, μi = P2 = 3 = m = W an σi = σ2 = σ3 = σ4 = σo. μo and σo , as has been discussed above, can again be determined using a test object. Then, using the predetermined algorithm, the parameters τi and — (or parameters that can be derived therefrom) of the equation n=4 V(t) =£θiFiGi(t) (1) i=ι or an equation to be derived therefrom, with i = 1, 2 , ... n=4 (4) and n=4 are selected such that V(t) , according to a predetermined criterion of the algorithm, corresponds to the course over time of the detected electromagnetic signal S(t). Again, for fitting the parameters of the model, use is made of the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm. If the material is indeed homogeneous, it will appear that the determined ratio of μi and σ ± corresponds for each i to the ratio of MO and σo- Obviously, it is also possible in formula 1 for each i to directly replace the ratio of μ± and σi by the known ratio of μo and σo. In that case, using the algorithm, only the parameter τi for i = 1-4 and θi for i = 1-4 is determined. Physically, of the measuring area 22, the fraction θiFχGι(t) can be regarded as the signal generated by the area i=l, while the signal θ 2 F 2 G 2 (t) comes from the area i=2. Further, in this example, the algorithm will yield that the parameters Θ3 and Θ 4 are substantially equal to 0, because only two different thicknesses occur in the measuring area 22. The signal θiFj_Gι(t) can then be taken as the signal coming from the relatively large area i=l of the thickness i, while the signal Θ 2 F 2 G 2 (t) comes from the relatively small area i=2 of a lesser thickness d 2 . The area i=2 of the lesser thickness then includes a so-called defect. Then, on the basis of the values of τi and τ 2 , the thickness di and the thickness d 2 are determined, using the formula ti = μiσidi 2 . Here, it can again be stated that μi = μ 0 and σ i = σ 0 . Using the apparatus according to Fig. l, it is also possible to determine the permeability μ 0 and the conductivity σ 0 of a homogeneous material. Such a determination corresponds to the above-discussed calibration. When the material is inhomogeneous , either spread in the conductivity or spread in the relative permeability of the material, given a known wall thickness, can be determined. This can be done as follows. Suppose that the material of Fig. l satisfies dι=d 2 =do- Further, the permeability μi of the area i=l is equal to the permeability μ 2 of the area i=2. In other words, the permeability equals μ 0 . On the basis of the formula τi = μiσidi 2 , τi can be expressed in σi. Thus, τi = μ 0 σi 0 2 . This value of τi can presently be substituted in formula l. Formula 1 presently contains the variables θi and σi. In accordance with the invention, these variables can be fitted to the measured signal S(t) . Fitting is carried out, for instance, for n=3. Thus, values are found for θi, Θ 2 and Θ 3 , and for σ \ , 0 and 0 3 . Here, Θ 3 will be substantially equal to 0, since in the measuring object in this example, in good approximation, two different conductivities occur, viz. a \ for the area i=l and o for the area i=2. The values found for σ \ and 0 2 represent a spread in the conductivity in the material. Entirely analogously, a spread in the permeability can be calculated if the wall thickness is equal to do throughout, and the conductivity is equal to σo throughout. Such variants are all understood to fall within the scope of the invention. In carrying out the above-mentioned measurements, the assumption is that the parameters depending on the geometry do not change. It is also possible, however, to assume that the parameters change in a known manner. In that case, in the measurement, the signal strength is determined. On the basis thereof, the lift-off can be calculated. The lift-off is the distance between, on the one hand, the receiving and transmitting antennas arranged in mutual proximity and, on the other, the surface of the measuring object. Then, on the basis of the lift-off, the correct model parameters (a , β, γ, δ and m) can be calculated, given a known geometry. This calculation can then be a function of the distance mentioned. If the geometry of the object and/or the transmitting and receiving antennas is not known, the model parameters , β, y , δ and m cannot be calculated. It is possible, however, as discussed above, using a test object, to determine the model parameters α, β, y , δ and m for a number of mutually different distances. On the basis of the different values that are found for the model parameters for different distances, it is possible to determine in a manner known per se a model in which the model parameters are a linear function of the distance mentioned. Such variants are all understood to fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims: CiΔIMS 1. A method for describing an electromagnetic signal generated by eddy currents in a conductive material, characterized in that the signal V(t) is described by at least one product of two factors F and G(t) , where F is a function of the geometry of the material and the electrical and magnetic properties of the material, and where G(t) is a function of the geometry of the material, the electrical and magnetic properties of the material, the thickness perpendicular to the surface of the material and time. 2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the eddy currents are generated by a changing electromagnetic field. 3. A method according to claim l or 2 , characterized in that n V(t) =∑θiFiGi(t) (1) i=l wherein α, β, y, δ and m are dependent on the geometry of the material, σi represents the conductivity of an area i of the material and μi represents the magnetic permeability of the area i of the material, and the areas i (i = l, 2, ..., n) together generate the signal V(t) . 4. A method according to claim l or 2, characterized in that the changing electromagnetic field is emitted using a transmitting antenna and that the electromagnetic signal generated is detected using a receiving antenna, the factors F and G each being also a function of the geometry of the transmitting and receiving antenna, as well as of the relative positions of the material, the transmitting and receiving antenna and the conductive material. 5. A method according to claims 3 and 4, characterized in that α, β, y, δ and m are also dependent on the geometry of the transmitting and receiving antenna, as well as on the relative position of the material, the transmitting and the receiving antenna. 6. A method for determining properties of an electrically conductive measuring object, wherein: a. utilizing at least one transmitting antenna, an electromagnetic field changing over time is emitted to the measuring object for generating eddy currents in the measuring object; b. utilizing at least one receiving antenna, the electromagnetic signal generated by the eddy currents is detected; and c. on the basis of the detected electromagnetic signal, the properties of the measuring object are determined, characterized in that d. using a predetermined algorithm, parameters τ and/or — i or parameters to be derived from these parameters of the equation n V(t) =£θiFiGi(t) (l) i=l or an equation to be derived therefrom, with i = l, 2, ... n (4) and n ∑θi-l ( 5 ) i=l are selected such that V(t) according to a predetermined criterion of the algorithm corresponds to the course over time of the detected electromagnetic signal, where , β, γ , δ and m are real numbers which are dependent on the geometry of the measuring object, the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna, as well as on the relative positions of the object, the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna, μi represents the magnetic permeability of an area i of the measuring object and σi represents the electrical conductivity of the area i of the measuring object, the areas i (i = l, 2, ..., n) together generating the detected electromagnetic signal. 7. A method according to claim 6, characterized in that i=n=i is selected and that, given a known value of μi=μ 0 or σi=σ 0 , the thickness di of the measuring object is determined on the basis of the equation τ L = μ±σ±άX, d being the thickness of the measuring object in the area i. 8. A method according to claim 6, characterized in that n > 2 and that, given known values of μi or σi, the thicknesses di of areas i of the object are determined on the basis of the equation τ L = μiσidi 2 . 9. A method according to claim 8, characterized in that the thicknesses i are determined on the assumption that the electrical conductivity and the magnetic permeability of the measuring object are homogeneous and known, so that it is true for every value of i that μi=μ 0 and σi=σ 0 , where μ 0 and σ 0 , respectively, represent the homogeneous values of the magnetic permeability and the electrical conductivity. 10. A method according to claim 7 or 9, characterized in that μ 0 and σ 0 are determined by generating, using the transmitting antenna, eddy currents in a test object of the same material as the measuring object and whose thickness di=do (i = 1, 2, ..., n) is known, and by subsequently selecting, according to a predetermined algorithm, the parameters μ 0 and σ 0 such that according to a predetermined criterion of the algorithm, V(t) corresponds to the course over time of the electromagnetic signal generated by the eddy currents in the test object and detected by the receiving antenna. 11. A method according to 6, characterized in that i=n=l is selected, the thickness do of the measuring object is measured in a manner known per se and is constant over the measuring area, dι=do is selected, and subsequently the values of μ__ and σi are determined on the basis of the equation τ ± = μiσido 2 . 12. A method according to claim 6, characterized in that n is selected to be greater than.l, the thickness do of the measuring object is measured in a manner known per se and is constant over the measuring area, while for each value of i, di=do is selected, and subsequently on the basis of the equation τ ± = μiσido 2 , the value of μi or σi is determined. 13. A method according to any one of the preceding claims 6-12, characterized in that α, β, y , δ and m are determined, using a predetermined simulation model, on the basis of a known geometry of the object, the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna, as well as on the basis of the known relative positions of the object, the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna. 14. A method according to any one of the preceding claims 6-12, characterized in that, for predetermining the parameters α, β, y , δ and m, in a test object of which μ if σi and i are known, a. utilizing at least one transmitting antenna, an electromagnetic field changing over time is emitted to the object for generating eddy currents in the object; b. utilizing at least one receiving antenna, the electromagnetic signal generated by the eddy currents is detected; c. on the basis of the equation τ ± = μiOidi 2 , values of τ ± are determined; and d. the parameters α, β, γ,δ and m are selected, according to a predetermined algorithm, such that V(t) for the known value of the parameters τ ± a nd ~. according to a Mi predetermined criterion of the algorithm, corresponds to the course over time of the received electromagnetic signal of the test object. 15. An apparatus for determining properties of a measuring object, comprising a transmitter unit having at least one transmitting antenna coupled thereto, a receiver unit having at least one receiving antenna coupled thereto, and a computer coupled to the transmitter and receiver unit, for further processing received signals, wherein a. utilizing the transmitting antenna, an electromagnetic field changing over time is emitted to the object for generating eddy currents in the object; b. utilizing the receiving antenna, the electromagnetic signal generated by the eddy currents is detected; and c. on the basis of the detected electromagnetic signal, the properties of the object are determined, characterized in that d. using a predetermined algorithm, parameters τ± and/or — i or parameters to be derived from these parameters, of the equation n V ( t ) = £θιFiGi (t) ( 1 ) i=l or an equation to be derived therefrom, with i = 1, 2. n (4 ) and n ∑θ±-i (5) i=l are selected such that V(t) according to a predetermined criterion of the algorithm corresponds to the course over time of the detected electromagnetic signal, wherein α, β, y , δ and m are real numbers which are dependent on the geometry of the object, the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna, as well as on the relative positions of the object, the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna, μi represents the magnetic permeability of an area i of the object and σi represents the electrical conductivity of the area i of the object, the areas i (i = l, 2, ..., n) together generating the detected electromagnetic signal.

Inventors: DE HAAN VICTOR OTTO, DE HAAN, VICTOR, OTTO
Applicants: HAAN VICTOR OTTO DE, ROENTGEN TECH DIENST BV, DE HAAN, VICTOR, OTTO, ROENTGEN TECHNISCHE DIENST B.V.
Application year: 1998
Main classification: G01N27
IPC codes: G01N27