US4015465A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Color displaying fatigue sensor
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1975-03-31
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Granted: 1977-04-05
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Expires: 1995-03-31
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for determining fatigue in a structural part. The fatigue sensor comprises, for example, a thin silver zinc film affixed to a structural member that is to be monitored for fatigue damage. Upon sufficient flexing or other cold working, the silver zinc film undergoes a color change, pink to silver, to thereby indicate that the structural member has reached predetermined fatigue levels.
Inventors
- 👤 William R. Scott
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 04:28
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B11/00; G01B11/16; G01B11/18; G01N; G01N3/00; G01N3/02; G01N3/06; G01N3/068; G01N2203/00; G01N2203/02; G01N2203/06; G01N2203/0641; G01N2203/0652; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S116/00; Y10S116/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A fatigue analysis process for determining the amount of fatigue experienced by a structural member subject to cyclic loading comprising: affixing a continuous metal alloy film to a portion of a surface of said specimen, said film being selected from the group consisting of Ag 50 Zn 50 , CuAu, Cu 3 Au, Ag 54 Zn 46 and Ag 50 Cd 50 , and having the property of undergoing a detectable color change upon experiencing sufficient cyclic stress; and observing said film to ascertain the extent of said color change.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
A fatigue analysis process for determining the amount of fatigue experienced by a structural member subject to cyclic loading comprising: affixing a continuous metal alloy film to a portion of a surface of said specimen, said film being selected from the group consisting of Ag 50 Zn 50 , CuAu, Cu 3 Au, Ag 54 Zn 46 and Ag 50 Cd 50 , and having the property of undergoing a detectable color change upon experiencing sufficient cyclic stress; and observing said film to ascertain the extent of said color change.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A fatigue analysis process according to claim 1 further including the step of: detecting and quantitatively measuring said color change with a reflectometer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
86 words
A fatigue analysis process for determining the amount of fatigue experienced by a structural member subject to cyclic loading comprising: affixing a continuous metal alloy film to a portion of a surface of said specimen, said film being selected from the group consisting of Ag 54 Zn 46 , Ag 50 Zn 50 and Ag 50 Cd 50 , and having the property of undergoing a detectable color change upon experiencing sufficient cyclic stress; and observing said film to ascertain the extent of said color change.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
86 words
A fatigue analysis process for determining the amount of fatigue experienced by a structural member subject to cyclic loading comprising: affixing a continuous metal alloy film to a portion of a surface of said specimen, said film being selected from the group consisting of Ag 54 Zn 46 , Ag 50 Zn 50 and Ag 50 Cd 50 , and having the property of undergoing a detectable color change upon experiencing sufficient cyclic stress; and observing said film to ascertain the extent of said color change.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
76 words
A fatigue analysis process for determining the amount of fatigue experienced by a structural member subject to cyclic loading comprising: affixing a continuous metal alloy film to a portion of a surface of said specimen, said film being selected from the group consisting of CuAu and Cu 3 Au, and having the property of undergoing a detectable color change upon experiencing sufficient cyclic stress; and observing said film to ascertain the extent of said color change.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
76 words
A fatigue analysis process for determining the amount of fatigue experienced by a structural member subject to cyclic loading comprising: affixing a continuous metal alloy film to a portion of a surface of said specimen, said film being selected from the group consisting of CuAu and Cu 3 Au, and having the property of undergoing a detectable color change upon experiencing sufficient cyclic stress; and observing said film to ascertain the extent of said color change.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A fatigue analysis process according to claim 4 further including the step of: detecting and quantitatively measuring said color change with a reflectometer.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-04-04 | 1980-10-04 | 1981-04-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-04-04 | 1984-10-04 | 1985-04-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-04-04 | 1988-10-04 | 1989-04-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |