• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.262-267
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• 2007

Detection of gas leak from a tube is a very important issue in the quality control of machines such as the heat exchanger of an air-conditioner, because leakage of operating gas directly reduces the performance of machines. The acoustic emission (AE) method is a common way to detect leak of gas, however its application under the environment of mechanical vibration is restricted since most AE detectors are very sensitive to external vibration noise. In order to overcome this problem, we propose a method based on the mode analysis of the Lamb wave. In this method, the dominant Lamb mode and its frequency are found first, and then a proper band-pass filter is used to retain only this frequency component. In this way, we could improve the SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) of AE signal generated by gas leak from the tube even under vibratory environment.

• Journal of the Korean Vacuum Society
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.119-126
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• 2002

The optogalvanic signals were measured using hollow cathode discharge tube with argon as buffer gas at change of discharge currents. A change of ionization rate due to electron collision causes an increase or decrease of the electric conductivity, This change in electric conductivity generates the optogalvanic signal. We conclude that optogalvanic signal has close relation with change of the lowest metastable atoms density at low current.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.519-523
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• 2013

A steam generator (SG) tube is an important component of a nuclear power plant (NPP). It works as a pressure boundary between the primary and secondary systems. The integrity of a SG tube can be assessed by an eddy current test every outage. The eddy current technique(adopting a bobbin probe) is currently the main technique used to assess the integrity of the tubing of a steam generator. An eddy current signal analyst for steam generator tubes continuously analyzes data over a given period of time. However, there are possibilities that the analyst conducting the test may get tired and cause mistakes, such as: missing indications or not being able to separate a true defect signal from one that is more complicated. This error could lead to confusion and an improper interpretation of the signal analysis. In order to avoid these possibilities, many countries of opted for automated analyses. Axial ODSCC (outside diameter stress corrosion cracking) defects on the tubes of OPR1000 steam generators have been found on the tube that are in contract with tube support plates. In this study, automated analysis software called CDS (computer data screening) made by Zetec was used. This paper will discuss the results of introducing an automated analysis system for an axial ODSCC on the tubes of an OPR1000 steam generator.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.28 no.12
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• pp.2004-2011
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• 2004

The applicability of the ultrasonic C-scan inspection is restricted due to the deterioration of mechanical properties of specimen during the test. Therefore, the aim of this research is applied to Eddy Current (EC) test substitute for the C-scan inspection in CFRP tube containing defects. This research is to evaluate the EC signals for the inspection of CFRP tube containing various circular hole defects (20% to 100% depth to the specimen thickness) using the unloading specimen and radial loading specimen. This study was considered the following points; 1) Analysis of EC signals for the inspection of saw-cut defect and circular hole defect, 2) The evaluation of defect depths and EC signals relationship. 3) Variation of EC signal owing to the radial load. In conclusions, the high frequency such as 300∼500 kHz made it possible to the inspection of 40% to 100% defects. Particularly, in case of 20% defect, the EC signal was not detected due to the noise of micro-crack and delamination. While the depth of the hole defects were decreasing, the difference of the phase angle between unloading specimen and radial loading specimen was gradually increasing.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.295-300
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• 2021

This study aims to present new chest AP examination exposure conditions through a study on the effect on image quality and patient dose by applying high tube voltage and scatter ray post-processing software during chest AP examination in digital radiography equipment. This study was used a human body phantom and in the chest AP position, the dosimeter was placed horizontally at the thoracic spine 6. The experiment was conducted by dividing into a low tube voltage (70 kVp, 400 mA, 3.2 mAs) group and a high tube voltage (100 kVp, 400 mA, 1.2 mAs) group. The collimation size (14″× 17″) and the source to image receptor distance(110 cm) were same applied to both groups. Radiation dose was presented to dose area product and entrance surface dose. Image quality was compared and analyzed by comparing the difference between the signal-to-noise ratio and the contrast-to-noise ratio of the image according to the application of the scatter ray post-processing software under each condition. The average value of the entrance surface dose in the low and high tube voltage conditions was 93.04±0.45 µGy and 94.25±1.51 µGy, which was slightly higher in the high tube voltage condition, but the dose area product was 0.97±0.04 µGy and 0.93±0.01 µGy. There was a statistically significant difference in the group mean value(p<0.01). In terms of image quality, the values of the signal-to-noise ratio and the contrast noise ratio were higher in the high tube voltage than in the low tube voltage, and decreased when the scattering line post-processing function was used, but the contrast resolution was improved. If there is a scatter ray post-processing function during chest AP examination, it is helpful to actively utilize it to improve the image quality. However, when this function is not available, I thought that applying a higher tube voltage state than a low tube voltage state will help to realize images with a large amount of information without changing the dose.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.175-180
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• 2017

The load-carrying capacity and structural behavior of concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) structures is highly influenced by the grouting compactness in the steel tube. Due to the invisibility of the grout in the steel tube, monitoring of the grouting progress in such a structure is still a challenge. This paper develops an active sensing approach with combined piezoceramic-based smart aggregates (SA) and piezoceramic patches to monitor the grouting compactness of CFST bridge structure. A small-scale steel specimen was designed and fabricated to simulate CFST bridge structure in this research. Before casting, four SAs and two piezoceramic patches were installed in the pre-determined locations of the specimen. In the active sensing approach, selected SAs were utilized as actuators to generate designed stress waves, which were detected by other SAs or piezoceramic patch sensors. Since concrete functions as a wave conduit, the stress wave response can be only detected when the wave path between the actuator and the sensor is filled with concrete. For the sake of monitoring the grouting progress, the steel tube specimen was grouted in four stages, and each stage held three days for cement drying. Experimental results show that the received sensor signals in time domain clearly indicate the change of the signal amplitude before and after the wave path is filled with concrete. Further, a wavelet packet-based energy index matrix (WPEIM) was developed to compute signal energy of the received signals. The computed signal energies of the sensors shown in the WPEIM demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed method in the monitoring of the grouting progress.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.7-12
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• 1991

The multi-frequency eddy current technique has been used for evaluation of various type of defects in tubings. However, this technique is not sufficient to detect and evaluate the defect in tubings if the defect is located in the geometrically complicated area(e. g. tube support plate, anti-vibration bar, tubesheet area) and mixing residue signal is significant to the defect signal. In order to improve the reliability of the multi-frequency eddy current technique, the effect of the interaction of mixing residue after frequency mixing with a function of distances between the defect and the tube support plate boundary has been analyzed theoretically. The experimental results have been discussed with the theoretical developments. The calculation shows the interaction between the two neighboring signal sources could be significant within the range of approximately 1.0mm with the experimental condition.

• Journal of Magnetics
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.97-100
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• 2009

A new eddy current testing probe was developed to separate the eddy current signal distortion caused by permeability variation clusters and ordinary defects created in steam generator tubes. Signal processing circuits were inserted into the probe to increase the signal-to-noise ratio and allow digital signal transmission. The new probe could measure and separate the magnetic phases created in the steam generator tubes in the operating environment of a nuclear power plant. Furthermore, the new eddy current testing probe can measure the defects in steam generator tubes as rapidly as a bobbin probe with enhanced testing speed and reliability of defect detection.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2005.07b
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• pp.942-944
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• 2005

In this study, eddy current signals from various anomalous defects in the heat exchanger tube are predicted af their signal slope characteristics no analyzed. The signal changes due to frequency increase are also observed. Based in the accumulated knowledge, the analysis of superimposed signal is attempted which includes the effects of support plate. Both differential and absolute bobbin probe signals are analyzed. For the prediction of signals, axisymmetric finite element modeling is used and this leads us to the utilization of slope angle analysis of the signal. Results show that differential signals are useful to locate the position of defect under the support plate and absolute signals no easy to predict and analyze even though they no superimposed signals. Combined use of these two types of signals will accomplish a reliable inspection.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.159-165
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• 2002

Purpose: The aim of this study was to introduce a method of obtaining the oscillation graphs of the dental x-ray tube heads relative to time using an accelerometer. Materials and Methods: An Accelerometer, Piezotron type 8704B25 (Kistler Instrument Co., Amherst, NY, USA) was utilized to measure the horizontal oscillation of the x-ray tube head immediately after positioning the tube head for an intraoral radiograph. The signal from the sensor was transferred to a dynamic signal analyzer, which displayed the magnitude of the acceleration on the Y-axis and time lapse on the X -axis. The horizontal oscillation of the tube head was measured relative to time, and the settling time was also determined on the basis of the acceleration graphs for 6 wall type, 5 floor-fixed type, and 4 mobile type dental x-ray machines. Results : The oscillation graphs showed that tube head movement decreased rapidly over time. The settling time varied with x-ray machine types. Wall-type x-ray machines had a settling time of up to 6 seconds, 5 seconds for fixed floor-types, and 1 I seconds for the mobile-types. Conclusion: Using an accelerometer, we obtained the oscillation graphs of the dental x-ray tube head relative to time. The oscillation graph with time can guide the operator to decide upon the optimum exposure moment after x-ray tube head positioning for better radiographic resolution.