Continuous flow structural health monitoring system and method
AssigneeStructural Monitoring Systems Ltd.
InventorMartin Doyle
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A continuous flow structural health monitoring system for detecting a crack in a component or structure comprises a pressure source, a fluidic circuit and a measurement system. The pressure source supplies fluid at a regulated pressure relative to ambient pressure. The fluidic circuit couples at one end to the pressure source and opens at an opposite end to ambient pressure. The pressure source produces a substantially constant and continuous flow of fluid through the fluidic circuit. The fluidic circuit has a first passage having a first surface portion of the component or structure. The measurement system monitors perturbations in the flow of fluid through the first passage to provide an indication of structural health of the component or structure.
Claims39
A continuous flow structural health monitoring system for a component or structure, the system comprising:
- a pressure source providing a supply fluid at a regulated pressure difference relative to ambient pressure;
- a fluidic circuit which is coupled at one end to the pressure source and is open at an opposite end to ambient pressure, wherein the pressure source produces a substantially constant and continuous flow of fluid through the fluidic circuit, the fluidic circuit having a first passage constituted in part by a first surface portion of the component or structure;
- and,
- a measurement system that continuously monitors for perturbations in the substantially constant flow of fluid through the first passage to provide an indication of structural health of the component or structure.
A continuous flow structural health monitoring system for a component or structure, the system comprising:
- a pressure source providing a supply fluid at a regulated pressure difference relative to ambient pressure;
- a fluidic circuit which is coupled at one end to the pressure source and is open at an opposite end to ambient pressure, wherein the pressure source produces a substantially constant and continuous flow of fluid through the fluidic circuit, the fluidic circuit having a passage constituted in part by a first surface portion of the component or structure;
- and,
- a measurement system that facilitates calculation of conductance of a Ccrack in a first surface portion that provides fluid communication between the first passage and ambient pressure.
A continuous structural health monitoring system comprising:
- a pump providing a supply fluid at a regulated pressure difference relative to ambient pressure;
- a fluidic circuit which is coupled at one end to the pump and is open at an opposite end to ambient pressure, wherein the pump produces a substantial constant and continuous mass flow of fluid through the fluidic circuit, the fluidic circuit having a first passage constituted in part by a first surface portion of the component or structure;
- and
- a pump regulating and measurement system that continuously monitors pump speed and pump pressure and controls pump speed to maintain fluid pressure in the first passage at a substantially constant level wherein variations in pump speed provide an indication of structural health of the component or structure.
A continuous structural monitoring system comprising:
- a fluidic circuit having a first end, a second end, and a first passage formed at least in part by a portion of a surface being monitored by the system, with the passage intermediate the first end and the second end, and the second end vented to ambient pressure PA, the circuit comprising a fluidic load having a first flow restrictor of a know fluid flow conductance C24 connected between the first passage and the second end of the circuit;
- a pressure source, providing fluid at a regulated pressure difference relative to ambient pressure, coupled with the first end and providing a continuous and substantially constant fluid flow through the circuit;
- a measurement system continuously measuring at least:
- pressure PT at a location between the pressure source and the at least one first passage;
- and the ambient pressure PA, and calculating a value of conductance to fluid flow of the fluidic load using the measured values of PA and PT as an indication of integrity of the structure.
A method of continuous structural monitoring comprising:
- providing a fluidic circuit comprising:
- a first passage which is constituted at least in part by a portion of a surface of a structure or component being monitored;
- and, a series connected first flow restrictor of a know conductance C24, the circuit having first and second ends wherein the second end of the fluidic circuit is vented to ambient pressure;
- establishing a substantially constant fluid flow through the fluidic circuit;
- and,
- calculating a value of conductance of a crack that provides a fluid flow path between the first passage and ambient pressure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.