US5293555A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for locating material fatigue using multiple sensors
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1991-05-24
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Granted: 1994-03-08
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Expires: 2011-05-24
Abstract
Abstract A system for locating a fatigue point on a structure (10) employing a smart sensor patch (12) having three triangularly adjacent acoustic sensors (40 a,b,c). The smart sensor patch (12) has a local processor (34) associated therewith, which triangulates the location of the fatigue point.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Anthony
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 21:08
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M5/00; G01M5/0066; G01S; G01S3/00; G01M5/0033; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/04; G01N29/07; G01N29/075; G01N29/14; G01V; G01V1/00; G01V1/001; G01N2291/00; G01N2291/10; G01N2291/106
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
A system for locating a fatigue point on a structure wherein the emergence of the fatigue point propagates an acoustic wave through the structure, the system comprising: at least one sensor patch, having a base layer, attached to the structure; three triangularly adjacent sensor means, attached to said base layer of said sensor patch, for generating signals in response to receiving the incoming propagated acoustic wave; processing means, located on said sensor patch and coupled to each of said sensor means, for determining the location of the fatigue point on the structure as a function of said generated signals from said sensor means; a plurality of said sensor patches and a plurality of processing means, each sensor patch having a processing means associated therewith; and a central processor means for collecting said determined fatigue point locations from each of said processing means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
142 words
A system for locating a fatigue point on a structure wherein the emergence of the fatigue point propagates an acoustic wave through the structure, the system comprising: at least one sensor patch, having a base layer, attached to the structure; three triangularly adjacent sensor means, attached to said base layer of said sensor patch, for generating signals in response to receiving the incoming propagated acoustic wave; processing means, located on said sensor patch and coupled to each of said sensor means, for determining the location of the fatigue point on the structure as a function of said generated signals from said sensor means; a plurality of said sensor patches and a plurality of processing means, each sensor patch having a processing means associated therewith; and a central processor means for collecting said determined fatigue point locations from each of said processing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said processing means determines the location of the fatigue point by comparing the phase difference between said signals generated by said sensor means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said sensor means are equidistantly triangularly adjacent.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said base layer of said sensor patch is flexible and resilient.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said sensor means are piezoelectric transducers.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
138 words
A system for locating a fatigue point on a structure wherein an acoustic signal is propagated through the structure when the fatigue point emerges, the system comprising: a plurality of sensor patches attached to the structure, each sensor patch having a base layer and three triangularly adjacent acoustic sensors attached to said base layer, wherein each acoustic sensor generates a signal in response to receiving the propagated acoustic signal; a plurality of processing means, one said processing means located on each of said sensor patches, each said processing means being coupled to said acoustic sensors on said sensor patch, for determining the location of the fatigue point in relation to the position of said sensor patch on the structure; and a central processing means for collecting said determined relative fatigue point locations from each of said processing means.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
138 words
A system for locating a fatigue point on a structure wherein an acoustic signal is propagated through the structure when the fatigue point emerges, the system comprising: a plurality of sensor patches attached to the structure, each sensor patch having a base layer and three triangularly adjacent acoustic sensors attached to said base layer, wherein each acoustic sensor generates a signal in response to receiving the propagated acoustic signal; a plurality of processing means, one said processing means located on each of said sensor patches, each said processing means being coupled to said acoustic sensors on said sensor patch, for determining the location of the fatigue point in relation to the position of said sensor patch on the structure; and a central processing means for collecting said determined relative fatigue point locations from each of said processing means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
A system of claim 6 wherein each of said processing means determines the relative location of the fatigue point in relation to the position of said sensor patch by determining the phase difference between said generated signals from said acoustic sensors on said sensor patch.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system of claim 6 wherein said base layer of said sensor patch is flexible and resilient.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system of claim 6 wherein said acoustic sensors are comprised of piezoelectric transducers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
A system of claim 6 wherein said acoustic sensors are equidistantly triangularly adjacent.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
191 words
A method for locating a fatigue point on a structure, the method comprising: attaching three triangularly adjacent acoustic sensor to a sensor patch; attaching a processor to said sensor patch; attaching said sensor patch to the surfaces of the structure; receiving an acoustic signal at said acoustic sensors, said acoustic signal being propagated by the emergence of a fatigue point on the structure; generating an electric signal from each of said acoustic sensors in response to said receiving of said acoustic signal; coupling said generated signals to said processor; using said processor to compute the phase difference between said generated signals from each of said acoustic sensors; attaching a plurality of said sensor patches to the structure; determining the location of the fatigue point in relation to the location of each of said sensor patches; coupling a central computer means to each of said processors on said sensor patches; determining the location of the fatigue point as a function of said determined relative fatigue point locations transmitted from said processors to said central computer means; and determining the location of the fatigue point as a function of said computed phase difference.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
191 words
A method for locating a fatigue point on a structure, the method comprising: attaching three triangularly adjacent acoustic sensor to a sensor patch; attaching a processor to said sensor patch; attaching said sensor patch to the surfaces of the structure; receiving an acoustic signal at said acoustic sensors, said acoustic signal being propagated by the emergence of a fatigue point on the structure; generating an electric signal from each of said acoustic sensors in response to said receiving of said acoustic signal; coupling said generated signals to said processor; using said processor to compute the phase difference between said generated signals from each of said acoustic sensors; attaching a plurality of said sensor patches to the structure; determining the location of the fatigue point in relation to the location of each of said sensor patches; coupling a central computer means to each of said processors on said sensor patches; determining the location of the fatigue point as a function of said determined relative fatigue point locations transmitted from said processors to said central computer means; and determining the location of the fatigue point as a function of said computed phase difference.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method of claim 11 wherein said acoustic sensors are equidistantly triangularly adjacent.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method of claim 11 wherein said sensor patch is attached to the structure by an adhesive.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method of claim 11 wherein said sensor patch has a flexible and resilient base layer which is attached to the structure and upon which is attached said acoustic sensors.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method of claim 11 wherein said acoustic sensors are piezoelectric transducers.
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) | 1997-03-07 | 1997-09-06 | 1998-03-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-03-07 | 2001-09-06 | 2002-03-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-03-07 | 2005-09-06 | 2006-03-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |