Version 1
: Received: 17 February 2024 / Approved: 19 February 2024 / Online: 20 February 2024 (04:06:29 CET)
Version 2
: Received: 14 April 2024 / Approved: 15 April 2024 / Online: 15 April 2024 (14:40:59 CEST)
How to cite:
Mussatayev, M.; Alanesi, M. Towards Real-Time Railroad Inspection Using Directional Eddy Current Probe. Preprints2024, 2024021075. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202402.1075.v2
Mussatayev, M.; Alanesi, M. Towards Real-Time Railroad Inspection Using Directional Eddy Current Probe. Preprints 2024, 2024021075. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202402.1075.v2
Mussatayev, M.; Alanesi, M. Towards Real-Time Railroad Inspection Using Directional Eddy Current Probe. Preprints2024, 2024021075. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202402.1075.v2
APA Style
Mussatayev, M., & Alanesi, M. (2024). Towards Real-Time Railroad Inspection Using Directional Eddy Current Probe. Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202402.1075.v2
Chicago/Turabian Style
Mussatayev, M. and Mohammed Alanesi. 2024 "Towards Real-Time Railroad Inspection Using Directional Eddy Current Probe" Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202402.1075.v2
Abstract
In the field of railroad safety, effective detection of surface cracks is critical, necessitating reliable, high-speed non-destructive testing (NDT) methods. This study introduces a hybrid Eddy Current Testing (ECT) probe, specifically engineered for railroad inspection, to address the common issue of ’lift-off noise’ due to varying distances between the probe and test material. Unlike traditional ECT methods, this probe integrates transmit and differential receiver coils, aiming to enhance detection sensitivity and minimize lift-off impact. The study optimizes ECT probes employing different driver coils, emphasizing three main objectives: a) quantitatively evaluating each probe using signal- to-noise ratio (SNR) and outlining a real-time data processing algorithm based on SNR methodology; b) exploring the frequency range proximal to the electrical resonance of the receiver coil; c) examining sensitivity variations across varying lift-off distances. The experimental outcomes indicate that the newly designed probe with figure 8-shape driver coil significantly improves sensitivity in detecting surface cracks on railroads. It achieves an impressive SNR exceeding 100 for defects with minimal dimensions of 1 mm in width and depth. Simulation results closely align with experimental findings, validating the investigation of optimal operational frequency and lift-off distance for selected probe performance, determined to be 0.3 MHz and 0.5 mm, respectively. The realization of this project would lead to notable advancements in enhancing railroad safety by improving crack detection efficiency.
Keywords
Eddy current testing; lift-off; real-time inspection; probe optimization; signal-to-noise ratio
Subject
Engineering, Transportation Science and Technology
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
