Rotating field eddy current probe with bobbin pickup coil for steam generator tubes inspection

Eddy current probes are used extensively to evaluate the integrity of steam generator tubes in nuclear power plants and to detect cracks in tube walls. The probe design has evolved from simple bobbin probes to mechanically rotating multi-coil probes providing high resolution images of tube integrity. This paper presents a novel rotating field eddy current probe with bobbin pickup coil that generates a rotating magnetic field, thereby avoiding mechanical rotation of probe. Three balanced identical rectangular windings carrying excitation currents with 120° phase difference generate an electrically rotating magnetic field that is sensitive to defects of all orientations. A bobbin coil located in the center is used as a pick up sensor. The phase of induced voltage in the bobbin coil is interpreted in terms of the circumferential location of the defect. The properties of the probe are investigated using a three dimensional finite element model, and validated experimentally using measurements.