A Guided Wave Sensor Based on the Inverse Magnetostrictive Effect for Distinguishing Symmetric from Asymmetric Features in Pipes

The magnetostrictive guided wave sensor with a single induced winding cannot distinguish axially symmetric from non-axially symmetric features in a pipe, because it is impossible for the sensor to detect the non-axially symmetric mode waves. When we study the effect of the change of the magnetic field in the air zone for receiving the longitudinal guided wave mode, we find that the change of the magnetic flux in the air zone is almost equivalent to the change of the flux in the pipe wall, but in opposite directions. Based on this phenomenon, we present a sensor that can detect the flexural-mode waves in pipes based on the inverse magnetostrictive effect. The sensor is composed of several coils that are arranged evenly on the outside of pipes. The coils induce a change in magnetic flux in the air to detect the flexural-mode waves. The waves can be determined by adding a phase delay to the induced signals. The symmetric and asymmetric features of a pipe can be distinguished using the sensor. A prototype sensor that can detect F(1,3) and F(2,3) mode waves is presented. The function of the sensor is verified by experiments.