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AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
InventorsDolores U. Olness, Tomas B. Hirschfeld, deceased
Estimating the term…
A method and apparatus for monitoring the degradation of elastomeric materials is provided. Piezoelectric oscillators are placed in contact with the elastomeric material so that a forced harmonic oscillator with damping is formed. The piezoelectric material is connected to an oscillator circuit,. A parameter such as the resonant frequency, amplitude or Q value of the oscillating system is related to the elasticity of the elastomeric material. Degradation of the elastomeric material causes changes in its elasticity which, in turn, causes the resonant frequency, amplitude or Q of the oscillator to change. These changes are monitored with a peak height monitor, frequency counter, Q-meter, spectrum analyzer, or other measurement circuit. Elasticity of elastomers can be monitored in situ, using miniaturized sensors.
A method of monitoring the degradation of an elastomer, the method comprising the steps of:
Apparatus for monitoring the degradation of an elastomer, comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.