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Data fusion for defect characterisation using a dual probe system

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Edwards, R. S. (Rachel S.), Sophian, A., Dixon, S. and Tian, G. Y.. (2008) Data fusion for defect characterisation using a dual probe system. Sensors and Actuators A: Physical, Vol.144 (No.1). pp. 222-228. ISSN 0924-4247

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sna.2007.12.020

Abstract

We present recent work on a dual probe system containing electromagnetic acoustic transducers (EMATs) generating and detecting surface ultrasonic waves, and a pulsed eddy current (PEC) probe. This system is able to detect and size surface and near-surface defects in electrically conducting samples by looking at changes in the detected signal for each probe. By combining the information from each probe using a weighted logic function for data fusion, it is possible to both classify and size defects, with increased reliability. By combining the data in this way one obtains information about the defects which is not available when using either probe in isolation. Typical results on steel and aluminium samples are presented, along with information about the data fusion function. The dual probe and data fusion routine has been demonstrated to work at manual-scanning speeds, with higher speeds possible following some simple improvements to the system.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	T Technology > TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General)
Divisions:	Faculty of Science > Engineering Faculty of Science > Physics
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Surfaces (Technology) -- Defects, Ultrasonic testing, Multisensor data fusion
Journal or Publication Title:	Sensors and Actuators A: Physical
Publisher:	Elsevier Science BV
ISSN:	0924-4247
Official Date:	28 May 2008
Volume:	Vol.144
Number:	No.1
Number of Pages:	7
Page Range:	pp. 222-228
Identification Number:	10.1016/j.sna.2007.12.020
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Restricted or Subscription Access
Funder:	Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
Grant number:	GR/S24435/01 (EPSRC), GR/S24428/01 (EPSRC)
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URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/30010