Novel array ECT probe with three-phase excitation for steam generator tube inspection

Eddy current testing (ECT) is commonly used in steam generator tube inspection. Among multiple probes applied in this area, array probe shows the merit of the capability of obtaining a C-scan image in a simple linear scan. In this work, a novel array ECT probe with three-phase excitation is proposed. The probe consists of two rows of excitation coils and a row of pickup coils. The induced eddy current shifts electrically in the testing sample so that the necessity of multiplexer is eliminated, resulting in advantages of lower cost, less noise and faster inspection speed. Theoretical analysis indicates that the background signal of the array sensor would be small. A 3D finite element method (FEM) model is developed to study the operating principle and to predict the inspection performance of the probe. A prototype probe has been developed and tested, by which a steam generator tube sample with different kinds of defects was inspected. The experiment results validate the simulation model and further demonstrate the feasibility of the sensor.