Large surface magnetic field sensor array
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorDejan Nikic
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A plurality of magnetic field sensors, for example arranged in an array, is operative to measure changes in magnetic field strength proximate the surface(s) of a test structure. The test structure may approximate the geometry of an airplane fuselage, wing, or the like. An electric current is applied to the test structure, and the magnetic field sensors sense changes in a magnetic field caused by the current. A corresponding plurality of integrators convert the sensor outputs to magnetic field strength values. From the plurality of magnetic field strength values and corresponding sensor locations, a current density over the target surface is inferred.
Claims20
A method of analyzing an electrical current over a target surface, comprising:
- providing a plurality of magnetic field sensors, each sensor operatively connected to an integrator;
- positioning the plurality of magnetic field sensors proximate the target surface;
- applying an electrical current to the target surface;
- sensing a change in magnetic field strength at one or more sensor locations;
- integrating the changes in magnetic field strength to derive a magnetic field strength value at each sensor location;
- inferring a current density over the target surface from the plurality of magnetic field strength values and corresponding sensor locations;
- interpolating magnetic field strength values between sensor locations;
- calculating virtual sensor locations corresponding to the interpolated magnetic field strength values;
- inferring a local virtual current value from each interpolated magnetic field strength value;
- and
- mapping the local virtual current values to the target surface using the corresponding virtual sensor locations.
An apparatus operative to analyze an electrical current over a target surface, comprising:
- a plurality of magnetic field sensors positioned at known locations in an array, each magnetic field sensor operative to sense a change in magnetic field strength;
- an integrator operatively connected to each magnetic field sensor and operative to derive a magnetic field strength value by integrating the connected sensor's output;
- and
- a data processing system operative to:
- receive an output of each integrator,
- infer a current density over the target surface from the plurality of magnetic field strength values and corresponding sensor locations;
- interpolate magnetic field strength values between sensor locations;
- calculate virtual sensor locations corresponding to the interpolated magnetic field strength values;
- infer a local virtual current value from each interpolated magnetic field strength value;
- and
- map the local virtual current values to the target surface using the corresponding virtual sensor locations.
A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing program instructions operative to cause a data processing system to process magnetic field sensor array outputs to analyze an electrical current over a target surface by performing the steps of:
- sensing a change in magnetic field strength at one or more sensor locations on the array, when the magnetic field sensor array is positioned proximate the target surface and an electrical current is applied to the target surface;
- integrating the changes in magnetic field strength to derive a magnetic field strength value at each sensor location;
- and
- inferring a local current value from each magnetic field strength value;
- inferring a current density over the target surface by mapping the local current values to the target surface using the corresponding sensor locations;
- interpolating magnetic field strength values between sensor locations;
- calculating virtual sensor locations corresponding to the interpolated magnetic field strength values;
- inferring a local virtual current value from each interpolated magnetic field strength value;
- and
- generating a high-granularity current density over the target surface by additionally mapping the local virtual current values to the target surface using the corresponding virtual sensor locations.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.