A new optimization method for ECT sensor design

Abstract

A new parameters optimization method of ECT sensor based on the orthogonal experimental design is presented. The sensor structure and sensor model are proposed. The evaluation criteria for sensor performance are introduced. The uniformity index of empty pipe and half pipe filled with engine oil are set as the optimization objectives. The experiments are set up based on multi-index orthogonal design. The optimizing parameters of the sensor structure include the number of electrodes, electrode width (corresponding to central angel) and radius of pipe wall. The typical sensitivity maps of the optimized sensor are presented at last. The experimental results indicate that the method can derive an evenly distributed sensitivity field. Compared with the full collocation method, the numbers of experiments is reduced by 66%.