Design and Experimental Study of Array Eddy Current Sensor for Internal Inspection of Natural Gas Pipeline

Abstract Array eddy current detection (ECAT) technology has the advantages of fast scanning speed and high detection efficiency, and has a wide range of application prospects. However, the traditional array eddy current sensor has a poor coupling effect with the inner wall of the pipeline and is not suitable for in-pipe inspection. Based on the basic principles of ECAT, a flexible array eddy current sensor made by flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) technology is designed and developed, which can realize 360° detection of defects on the inner wall of natural gas pipelines. The paper uses ANSYS finite element software to establish a simulation model of multi-parameter effects, study the influence of sensor size parameters and detection parameters on eddy current signals, carry out detection experiments on blind hole defects in the inner wall of steel pipes, analyze the response characteristics of defect signals, and verify the feasibility of using the FPCB array eddy current sensor for internal inspection of natural gas pipeline.