Parameter Analysis of Pulsed Eddy Current Sensor Using Principal Component Analysis

Pulsed eddy current (PEC) technique provides a means to inspect structures without surface contact. It is particularly useful when the structure's rough or inaccessible, such as insulated pipes in pipeline. Probe parameters of PEC system, especially sensing and excitation coil diameters, can significantly affect system's performance. Thus, detailed analysis these paramount developing system. Currently, this accomplished by establishing trend features with respect analyzed variables, e.g. sample thicknesses. However, prior extracting features, number configuration have be determined. For reason, analyzing performance over range diameter values rather time-consuming both diameters received signals. Principal component (PCA) proposed an alternative feature extraction. The work here analyzes trends contributed PCA scores for different parameters. Results from numerical simulations experiments suggest that sensitivity probe highly correlated diameter, while excitation-sensing distance not significant determining probe. These findings are consistent those reported literature, suggesting potential adopting automated process.