Composite with integral sensor and method
AssigneeRaytheon Company
InventorsJulie N. Strickland, Brian D. Pautler
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A reinforced plastic composite structure includes multiple layers, with at least one layer including an electrically-conductive element incorporated in a fabric substrate. A fabric substrate with an electrically-conductive element can be referred to as an e-textile. The electrically-conductive element of the electrically-conductive fabric layer is connected to a controller for analysis of the fabric's changing electrical properties over time as a way to identify and prevent failure of the composite structure.
Claims20
A composite structure, comprising:
- multiple layers of material, at least one layer including an electrically-conductive element incorporated in a fabric substrate.
A method of testing a structure for anomalies, including:
- connecting a controller to an e-textile formed in a composite structure;
- measuring an electrical property of the e-textile at a first time;
- measuring the electrical property of the e-textile at a second time;
- and
- detecting anomalies based on a comparison of the measurement at the first time to the measurement at the second time.
A method of integrating a sensor in a structure, including:
- providing a e-textile;
- applying a plastic portion in a liquid state to the e-textile;
- and
- forming a solid structure including the e-textile integrated into the plastic portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.