In-situ sensor method and device
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
InventorShawn M. Walsh
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for accurately monitoring the flow and cure rate of a resin material. The method is accomplished through the use and incorporation of efficient sensors as integral components of a composite resin structure material. The sensors used are electrically conductive threads arranged in a non-intersecting, grid-like configuration. They may be placed into or between composite resin materials. These sensors serve as leads which are connected to a computer through a multiplexer/rapid switching system and a scanner. The data obtained for the monitoring of the flow and cure of resin is stored on a computer system and is presented on the computers' graphic window.
Claims15
A method for accurately monitoring the flow and cure rate of a resin material comprising
- pumping a resin material into a resistance monitoring device having electrically conductive sensor threads arranged in a non-intersecting, grid-like configuration so as to create a plurality of sensor gaps;
- allowing the pumped resin to advance through the grid-like configuration and sensor gaps of said resistance monitoring device;
- obtaining and sending an electrical signal received from said sensor gaps as the pumped resin reaches said sensor gaps to a signal interpreting apparatus and a data storage and presentation means;
- and
- interpreting the flow and cure rate of said resin material using said signal interpreting apparatus and said data storage and presentation means to interpret said electrical signal and display said interpretation, wherein the ends of said electrically conductive sensor threads serve as leads which are connected to said signal interpreting apparatus which in turn is connected to said data storage and presentation means.
An apparatus for monitoring resin flow and its cure progress during a resin fabrication process, wherein said apparatus comprises
- a resin supply port;
- a resin mold containing therein a resistance, capacitance, electrical or dielectrical monitoring device having electrically conductive sensor threads arranged in a non-intersecting, grid-like configuration so as to create a plurality of sensor gaps;
- a signal interpreting apparatus;
- and
- a data storage and presentation means;
- wherein said resistance, capacitance, electrical or dielectrical monitoring device is present throughout said resin mold;
- and wherein said sensor threads are woven into or placed between successive layers of reinforcement materials to facilitate said non-intersecting, grid-like configuration.
An apparatus for monitoring resin flow and its cure progress during a resin fabrication process, wherein said apparatus comprises
- a resin supply port;
- a resin mold containing therein a resistance, capacitance, electrical or dielectrical monitoring device having electrically conductive sensor threads arranged in a non-intersecting, grid-like configuration so as to create a plurality of sensor gaps;
- a signal interpreting apparatus;
- and
- a data storage and presentation means;
- wherein said resistance, capacitance, electrical or dielectrical monitoring device is present throughout said resin mold;
- and wherein said sensor threads are connected to the perimeter of said resin mold to facilitate said non-intersecting, grid-like configuration.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.