Inductively Coupled Transducer System for Damage Detection in Composites

The laminated construction of composite offers the possibility of permanently embedding sensors into structure, for example, ultrasonic transducers which can be used for NDE applications. An attractive and simple solution for probing embedded sensors wirelessly is via inductive coupling. However, before this can be achieved it is necessary to have a full understanding and proper design strategy for the inductively coupled system. This paper presents the developments of both system design procedure and a computer program for one dimensional inductively coupled transducer system mounted on a solid substrate. The design strategy in this paper mainly focuses on issues of localization of transducers, and optimizing the signal to noise level. Starting from a three coil equivalent circuit, this paper also explains how the measured impedance of a bonded piezoelectric disc is implemented into the system model representing a transducer bonded to an arbitrary solid substrate. The computer programme using this model provides immediate predictions of electrical input impedance, acoustic response and pulse-echo response. A series of experiments and calculations have been performed in order to validate the model. This has enabled the degree of accuracy required for various parameters within the model, such as mutual inductance between the coils and self-inductance of coils, to be assessed. Once validated, the model can be used as a tool to predict the effect of physical parameters, such as distance, lateral misalignment between the coils, and the coil geometry on the performance of an inductively coupled system.