Improved source location methods for pressure vessels

In this work, results of an acoustic emission source location study using both linear and planar location strategies are presented. The study was performed on a submarine steel gas flask with pencil-lead breaks used as artificial acoustic emission sources. Plate wave propagation theory is used to analyze the effects of dispersive Lamb wave modes on source location accuracy. Narrow-band filtering techniques are used in conjunction with different sensor arrays of 2, 4, 6, and 8 sensors to improve source location accuracy. By combining these two factors, location accuracy of 1% of the length of the flask and 3% of its circumference can be achieved. The results are presented in the form of 2-D accuracy color maps. The total average error in source location for each one of the sensor configurations is calculated. Finally, a summary of the results is presented in the form of a table indicating the advantages and disadvantages of every sensor configuration studied.