相控阵超声检测技术在海上风电海缆焊接接头检测中的应用

Application of Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing in Weld Inspection of Offshore Wind Power Submarine Cables

摘要: 在双碳目标指引下，海上风电已成为我国新能源发展重点方向，交联聚乙烯(XLPE)绝缘海底电缆是深远海风电场电力传输的关键装备。本文采用相控阵超声检测技术，通过聚乙烯专用试块完成声速校准与系统标定，系统研究探头频率、阵元数量对声场分布、缺陷检出能力的影响，引入信噪比(SNR)作为核心评估指标，明确SNR计算方法与验收阈值，并采用含真实缺陷的海缆接头开展工艺验证。结果表明：交联聚乙烯材料纵波声速为2448 m/s，缺陷定位误差 ≤ 0.5%；2.25 MHz、64阵元相控阵探头在40 mm厚度内对Φ 1 mm缺陷SNR ≥ 12 dB、Φ 0.5 mm缺陷SNR ≥ 6 dB，满足验收标准，可有效用于风电海缆焊接接头的质量控制，为海缆工程应用提供可靠的技术支撑。

Abstract: Guided by the carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals, offshore wind power has become a key focus of new energy development in China. Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulated submarine cables are critical equipment for power transmission in deep-water offshore wind farms. In the paper, PAUT technology was adopted. Sound velocity calibration and system calibration are carried out using dedicated polyethylene test blocks. It systematically studies the influence of probe frequency and array element quantity on the distribution of the sound field and the detection ability of defects. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is introduced as the core evaluation index with clear definition and acceptance criteria. Process validation is conducted using submarine cable joints containing actual defects. The results show that the longitudinal wave velocity of XLPE material is 2448 m/s, with a defect positioning error ≤ 0.5%. A 2.25 MHz, 64-element phased array probe achieves SNR ≥ 12 dB for Φ 1 mm defects and SNR ≥ 6dB for Φ 0.5 mm defects within 40 mm thickness, meeting the acceptance standard, which can be effectively applied to the quality control of welded joints in wind power submarine cables, thereby providing reliable technical support for the engineering application of submarine cables.