Automated Eddy Current System for Aircraft Structure Inspection

Abstract

Abstract Aircraft part diagnostics are crucial during both production and maintenance, with eddy current nondestructive testing (ECNDT) being the method of choice due to its cost-effectiveness, informativeness, productivity, and reliability. ECNDT excels regardless of surface condition or coatings. It’s employed for diagnosing various aircraft components, necessitating diverse transducer types, excitation modes, and advanced signal processing. To improve ECNDT, this article explores integrating harmonic and impulse excitation modes in a single tool to enhance informativeness. Building upon a wireless eddy current system, the authors propose a comprehensive method for processing and displaying information suitable for object condition monitoring systems. The system includes automated transducer mode control and experimental data processing algorithms. The constant expansion of tested objects and new materials underscores the need to enhance the theoretical foundations of eddy current non-destructive testing, refine signal processing techniques, and identify informative signs. This demands the development of new automated ECNDT tools, and this article offers a promising avenue for improvement. The results include model and experimental tests of system components, showcasing the potential of this approach to enhance ECNDT effectiveness, automation, and informativeness in the realm of aircraft part diagnostics.