Apparatus for inspecting fuel vessel, and system and method for identifying crack density of vessel
AssigneesHyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
InventorsYong Joo Cho, Jung Ryul Lee, Kyung Hwan Kim
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Abstract
An apparatus for inspecting a fuel vessel includes a strap configured to surround an outer surface of the fuel vessel and fixed to the outer surface through at least one joint part, a plurality of piezoelectric sensors interposed between the outer surface of the fuel vessel and the strap, and spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance along the strap, and a cable electrically connected to the plurality of piezoelectric sensors. The first piezoelectric sensor of a plurality of piezoelectric sensors is configured to transmit a signal generated based on receiving a voltage applied, to remaining piezoelectric sensors of the plurality of piezoelectric sensors.
Claims17
An apparatus for inspecting a fuel vessel, the apparatus comprising:
- a strap configured to surround an outer surface of the fuel vessel and fixed to the outer surface through at least one joint part;
- a plurality of piezoelectric sensors interposed between the outer surface of the fuel vessel and the strap, and spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance along the strap;
- a cable electrically connected to the plurality of piezoelectric sensors;
- and
- a controller configured to apply a voltage to a first piezoelectric sensor of the plurality of piezoelectric sensors through the cable and to receive a plurality of response signals generated from the plurality of piezoelectric sensors, respectively,
- wherein the first piezoelectric sensor of the plurality of piezoelectric sensors is configured to transmit a signal generated based on receiving the applied voltage, to remaining piezoelectric sensors of the plurality of piezoelectric sensors,
- wherein a second piezoelectric sensor of the plurality of piezoelectric sensors is spaced apart from the first piezoelectric sensor by a longer distance than other piezoelectric sensors of the plurality of piezoelectric sensors,
- wherein an angular distance between the first piezoelectric sensor and the second piezoelectric sensor is less than 180 degrees, when viewed based on a central point of a plan having a hydrogen inlet of the fuel vessel, and
- wherein the controller includes:
- a band pass filter to filter the plurality of response signals;
- at least one amplifier to amplify at least one of the applied voltage, the plurality of response signals, or a combination of the applied voltage or the plurality of response signals;
- a signal processor to perform signal processing for the plurality of response signals;
- and
- a power module to provide the applied voltage.
A system for inspecting a fuel vessel, the system comprising:
- a plurality of piezoelectric sensors disposed on an outer surface of the fuel vessel, spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, and fixed to the outer surface of the fuel vessel through a strap configured to surround the outer surface of the fuel vessel;
- a controller electrically connected to the plurality of piezoelectric sensors to apply a voltage to a first piezoelectric sensor of the plurality of piezoelectric sensors, and to receive a plurality of response signals generated to correspond to the applied voltage from at least some piezoelectric sensors of the plurality of piezoelectric sensors;
- and
- an analyzer to receive the plurality of response signals from the controller, identify an attenuation ratio between the plurality of response signals, and identify a crack density of the fuel vessel based on a size of the attenuation ratio.
A method for inspecting a fuel vessel, the method comprising:
- applying, by a controller, a voltage to a first piezoelectric sensor of a plurality of piezoelectric sensors disposed to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance on an outer surface of the fuel vessel;
- receiving, by the controller, a plurality of response signals generated from at least some piezoelectric sensors included in the plurality of piezoelectric sensors, by an ultrasonic wave generated from the first piezoelectric sensor, based on the applied voltage;
- and
- identifying, by an analyzer, an attenuation ratio between the plurality of response signals to identify a crack density of the fuel vessel based on a size of the attenuation ratio.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.