Resonant Eddy Current Sensor (RECS)
The Resonant Eddy Current Sensor (RECS) is a specialized device for characterizing conductive composites such as carbon fiber laminate or silver filled paint coatings. It operates in the 1 MHz to 1 GHz range and uses resonance to enhance sensitivity to conductive composite materials.
Applications of the RECS:
- The low frequency of conventional eddy current prevents it from being effective in carbon composite materials, so the RECS is a higher frequency alternative that is combined with a resonant sensor design to provide sensitivity to composites that are conductive, but not as conductive as metals. Examples of how the RECS is used include:
- Measuring the conductivity and/or thickness of silver paints, such as on light-weight targets for calibrating RCS range measurements (painted spheres).
- Mapping carbon fiber breakage in carbon composites underneath paint coatings.
Benefits of the RECS:
- Ability to measure or map conductive materials that conventional eddy current sensors aren’t sensitive to.
- Identifies and scans the frequencies around a resonance.
- Tracking multiple resonances to determine different parameters about a surface under test.
Additional Information
- RECS sensor (~ 2 cm footprint) integrated with 1 MHz – 1 GHz VNA.
- Sensor and VNA packaged in a ruggedized handle.
- Sensor has an optional integrated display screen for providing measured parameter(s).
- Handheld sensor is tethered to a laptop or tablet computer via USB (no RF cables).
- Customized CTGcalc™ software for calibrating sensors and applying algorithms for converting measured resonance behavior to actionable information.
