• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.25-29
• /
• 2006

In this paper, the eddy current signals come from a pair oi transmit-receive (T/R) pancake coil on ECT array Probe are analyzed with the variations of the lift-of and of the distance between transmit and receive coils. To obtain the electromagnetic characteristics of the probes, the governing equation describing the eddy current problems is derived from Maxwell's equation and is solved using three-dimensional finite element method. Eddy current signals from T/R coils on ECT array probe have quite different characteristics compared with ones from impedance coil on rotating pancake coil probe. The results in this paper ran be helpful when the field eddy current signals from ECT array probe are evaluated.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
• /
• v.63 no.4
• /
• pp.546-550
• /
• 2014

In this research, we report all the elements are placed in the space above the patient table as a transmit coil to give optimized B1+ field for the body object. Through the simulations, we compared upper-and-lower parts combined 8 channel Tx array to upper only 8 channel Tx array and showed the utilities of B1+ shimming in multi-channel Tx body imaging at 3T. Half-cylinder shaped upper array shows weak B1+ field area around back of patient without B1+ shimming. After B1+ shimming, highly induced SAR places occurred in the arm region due to the close distance to the both end elements which were driven by very high RF current to enhance B1+ in back area. The proposed upper and lower combined array provides an enhanced homogeneous B1+ field in large ROI imaging as a result of shimming over the body size phantom. Through this research we proved the usefulness of the proposed insertional upper and lower parts combined transmit array for 3T body imaging.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.99-106
• /
• 2008

To improve $B_1$ homogeneity in high field MRI, the RF power is applied to the transmit array coil elements sequentially in the time-multiplexed way. Since only a single coil element is activated in a time-multiplexing slot, the global standing wave formation in the human body is greatly suppressed. The time-multiplexing slot width is on the order of micro seconds, hence, high-order-harmonic slices can be placed far from the transmit coil and simultaneous multiple slice selection can be avoided. The $B_1$ homogeneities of a birdcage coil and an eight-channel transmit array coil have been compared through finite difference time domain simulations. The simulation results indicate that the proposed technique can reduce the peak-to-peak $B_1$ inhomogeneity down to one fourth of the transmission with a birdcage coil on the central plane of the human head model at 3 T. The mimicking experiments at 3 T, eight separate experiments with a single coil element activated and image reconstruction by combining the eight images, also show promising results. It is expected that the proposed technique has some advantages over other $B_1$ improving methods in real practice since simple RF switching circuitries are only necessary and electromagnetic coupling between the coil elements is out of concern in its realization.

• Journal of Magnetics
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.238-243
• /
• 2017

In this research, we report the preliminary results of an insertional type parallel transmission (pTx) array that has 7-elements that are placed in the space above a patient table as a transmit (Tx) coil to give an RF transmission ($B_1{^+}$) field for the body object of a 3 Tesla (T) MRI system. In previous research, we have tried to compare the performances of different coil elements and array geometries for a pTx body image. Based on these results, we attempt to obtain a human image with the proposed pTx array. Through the simulation and experimental results, we introduce a possible structure of multi-channel Tx array and verify the utility of a multi-channel Tx body image using $B_1{^+}$ shimming. The insertional pTx array, combined with a receiver (Rx) array coil, provides an enhanced $B_1{^+}$ field homogeneity in a large ROI image as a result of $B_1{^+}$ shimming applied over the full body size object. Through this research, we hope to determine the usefulness of the proposed insertional type RF coil combination for 3 T body imaging.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
• /
• v.37 no.1
• /
• pp.21-28
• /
• 2017

Eddy current array (ECA) technology provides the ability to electronically scan without mechanical scanning for a footprint of probe that consists of several eddy current coils arranged side-by-side and two dimensionally. Compared to single-coil eddy current technology, the ECA technology has a higher inspection speed and reliability because a large area can be covered in a single-probe pass and the obtained images can facilitate data interpretation. In this study, we developed an eddy current array probe with $2{\times}16$ coil arrays and a multiplexer that can select transmit-receive coils sequentially and operate in transmit-receive mode. Surface inspection was performed using this probe for specimens that had various flaws and the characteristics of transmit-receive mode ECA technology was studied through an analysis of the obtained eddy current signals and C-scan images.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Illuminating and Electrical Installation Engineers
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.159-165
• /
• 2008

In this paper the signal analysis of eddy current test using transmit-receive(T/R) pancake coil of ECT array probe using electromagnetic finite element method(FEM) is performed. For characteristics analysis, the notch defect is used. The depth of defect is 40[%] of steam generator tube thickness, and inside defect and outside defect are used as simulation examples. The signal analysis is performed according to the variation of receive coil position. The receive coil is positioned $0[^{\circ}]$, $30[^{\circ}]$, $60[^{\circ}]$, $90[^{\circ}]$ of circumferential position of transmit coil. To obtain e electromagnetic characteristics of robes, the governing equation is derived from Maxwell's equations, and the problem is solved using the 3-dimensional finite element method. The signal magnitude of inside defect is bigger than that of outside defect, and the signal difference can be seen according to the variation of position of receive coil. The experimental signal and numerical signal of ASME standard tube show similar results. The results in this paper can be helpful when the ECT signals from ECT array probe are evaluated and analyzed.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.267-271
• /
• 2008

The RF shimming technique has been used to improve the transmit RF field homogeneity in highfield MRI. In the RF shimming technique, the amplitude and phase of the driving currents in each coil element are optimized to get homogenous flip angle or uniform image intensity. The inductive and capacitive coupling between the coil elements may degrade the RF field homogeneity if not taken into account in the optimization procedure. In this paper, we have analyzed the coupling effects on the RF shimming using a sixteen-element TEM RF coil model operating at 300 MHz. We have found that the coupling effects on the RF shimming can be reduced by putting high dielectric material between the active rung and the shield.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.103-114
• /
• 2012

Purpose : In an attempt to further improve the radiofrequency (RF) magnetic ($B_1$) field strength in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) imaging, a 4-channel spiral-loop coil array with RF circuitry was designed and compared with a 4-channel single-loop coil array in terms of $B_1$ field, RF transmit (${B_1}^+$), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and applicability to TMJ imaging in 7T MRI. Materials and Methods: The single- and 4-channel spiral-loop coil arrays were constructed based on the electromagnetic (EM) simulation for the investigation of $B_1$ field. To evaluate the computer simulation results, the $B_1$ field and ${B_1}^+$ maps were measured in 7T. Results: In the EM simulation result and MRI study at 7T, the 4-channel spiral-loop coil array found a superior $B_1$ performance and a higher ${B_1}^+$ profile inside the human head as well as a slightly better SNR than the 4-channel single-loop coil array. Conclusion: Although $B_1$ fields are produced under the influence of the dielectric properties of the subject rather than the coil configuration alone at 7T, each RF coil exhibited not only special but also specific characteristics that could make it suited for specific application such as TMJ imaging.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
• /
• v.63 no.3
• /
• pp.404-408
• /
• 2014

In this research we evaluate the excitation homogeneity and SAR of three different Tx arrays after B1+ Shimming in the human body at 3T. Through the simulations, we compared the field properties that are standard deviation and mean value of transverse magnetization for 1) strip line TEM array, 2) rectangular loop array, 3) combined array of strip line element and rectangular loop and shown the utilities of B1+ shimming in human body model. After B1+ shimming, it is evaluated four different types of SAR for body mesh through whole body simulation; those are average, maximum 1-cell, maximum 1-gram, and maximum 10-gram SAR. It appears that in this particular comparison an array based on strip line elements can produce better homogeneity and lower SAR than an array of rectangular loops or an array of combined elements (strip line and loop). While many factors are considered in designing coils for production, it is hoped that methods and results like these will be used in the future to guide decisions and maximize benefit.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Technology Engineers
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.48-53
• /
• 2016

An EMAT can be used to reliably detect defects as it serves as a non-contact transducer with the ability to transmit ultrasonic waves into specimens without couplant. Moreover, an EMAT can easily generate desired waves by altering the design of the coil and magnet. This study proposes an SH-EMAT to evaluate the integrity of the TIG welding part. A stainless steel was welded using the TIG welding method. The welding current was varied to create artificial defects. Both the PA-UT and the RT were applied to verify the defect size. The experimental results generated by using the EMAT were compared with those methods. The amplitude was observed to decrease with an increase in the defect size. These results confirmed that the presence of defects can be reliably detected by attenuation of signal amplitude. The results demonstrated that the proposed method is suitable for evaluating the integrity of TIG welding.