Textual note taken from Eddyfi Technologies on March 31, 2025
Gas turbines play a critical role in power generation, aviation, and industrial applications, making their integrity essential to operational safety and performance. Inspecting these complex machines, however, has long presented challenges—particularly when it comes to detecting surface and near-surface cracks in components like rotor discs and dovetails. Enter Eddy Current Array (ECA) technology: a game-changing solution for turbine inspections.
The Evolution of ECA in Turbine Inspection
Historically, conventional eddy current testing (ECT) has been the go-to method for surface crack detection. While effective, ECT has limitations—primarily in speed, coverage, and data consistency. ECA, an advanced form of ECT, addresses these drawbacks by using multiple coils arranged in arrays to cover a larger surface area in less time. With real-time C-scan imaging and advanced data acquisition, ECA enables inspectors to visualize indications instantly and improve Probability of Detection (POD).
Eddyfi Technologies has been at the forefront of refining ECA tools specifically for turbine inspection applications. The company’s proprietary surface array probes and portable instruments, such as the Reddy® and Ectane® platforms, are engineered to access hard-toreach geometries while delivering high-resolution data.
Field-Proven Performance
One area where ECA has made a significant impact is the inspection of fir-tree slots and dovetail areas in turbine rotor discs. These areas are prone to cracking due to high stress concentrations, and traditional inspection methods often require rotor disassembly or lengthy setups. With customized ECA probes and scanners, inspectors can now perform semi-automated inspections with minimal disassembly, reducing downtime and improving inspection repeatability.
Case studies have demonstrated how ECA can detect sub-millimeter cracks with high accuracy in these complex geometries. The technology has also proven beneficial for blended repairs and post-maintenance inspections, offering a reliable way to verify component integrity before returning turbines to service.
Looking Ahead
ECA technologies have matured to a point where they are not only a viable alternative to traditional methods but often the preferred choice. Eddyfi Technologies continues to innovate, enhancing the portability, adaptability, and signal quality of its systems to meet evolving industry demands.
If you’re involved in gas turbine maintenance, asset integrity, or NDT, staying updated on the latest advancements in ECA is crucial.
Ready to learn more?
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Source and photo: Eddyfi Technologies
