Patent US4821722A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US2883650A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3870048A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4549437A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4549437A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Acoustic testing of complex multiple segment structures
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1983-09-27
•
Granted: 1985-10-29
•
Expires: 2003-09-27
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to a method for acoustic testing of multiple segment complex structures for detecting changes in the integrity of such structures to anticipate failure. The method of the present invention in its simplest form requires providing each segment of a complex multiple segment structure with at least one acoustic sensor, recording the intensity and frequency distribution of the acoustic waves sensed by such acoustic sensor; and finally comparing the acoustic waves that are sensed either against a standard, over time, and/or from one segment of the complex multiple segment structure to another segment of the complex multiple segment structure.
Inventors
- 👤 Janine J. Weins
- 👤 Michael J. Weins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:28
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
An in service method of monitoring the structural integrity of a complex multiple segment structure, such method comprising the steps of: (a) providing at least one acoustic sensor to each segment of the complex multiple segment structure; (b) recording acoustic emissions sensed by said acoustic sensor, said acoustic emissions resulting from said service; and (c) analyzing the time dependence of said recorded acoustic emissions to determine deviations.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
67 words
An in service method of monitoring the structural integrity of a complex multiple segment structure, such method comprising the steps of: (a) providing at least one acoustic sensor to each segment of the complex multiple segment structure; (b) recording acoustic emissions sensed by said acoustic sensor, said acoustic emissions resulting from said service; and (c) analyzing the time dependence of said recorded acoustic emissions to determine deviations.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said analysis further comprises the additional step of: (d) comparing the acoustic emissions sensed on each segment of the complex multiple segment structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said comparison is done on signals obtained by subtracting the acoustic emissions of each segment of the complex multiple segment structure from the acoustic emissions of another segment of the complex multiple segment structure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 2 wherein at least two acoustic sensors are provided for each of said segments, and said acoustic emissions sensed on each segment is the result of the combination of the acoustic emissions sensed by all acoustic sensors on each segment.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said combination is by addition.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 2 wherein each segment is provided with an even number of acoustic sensors, and the acoustic signals used for comparison are obtained by subtracting the acoustic emissions of pairs of acoustic sensors.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said comparison is made by examining the signals obtained by subtracting the acoustic emissions of each segment of the complex multiple segment structure from the acoustic emissions of another segment of the complex multiple segment structure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 6 wherein at least two pairs of acoustic sensors are provided for each of said segments, and said acoustic emissions on each segment is the result of the combination of the acoustic emissions sensed by all pairs of acoustic sensors on each segment.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said combination is by addition.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the acoustic emissions sensed by said acoustic sensors are filtered prior to analysis.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the filter used to filter the acoustic emissions is a 100 KHz filter.
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) | 1988-10-28 | 1989-04-29 | 1989-10-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-10-28 | 1993-04-29 | 1993-10-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-10-28 | 1997-04-29 | 1997-10-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |