System for multiplexing acoustic emission (AE) instrumentation
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
InventorsWilliam H. Prosser, Daniel F. Perey, Michael R. Gorman, Edgar F. Scales
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An acoustic monitoring device has at least two acoustic sensors with a triggering mechanism and a multiplexing circuit. After the occurrence of a triggering event at a sensor, the multiplexing circuit allows a recording component to record acoustic emissions at adjacent sensors. The acoustic monitoring device is attached to a solid medium to detect the occurrence of damage.
Claims23
An acoustic monitoring device, comprising the components of:
- at least two acoustic sensors capable of sensing acoustic vibrations from a solid medium;
- a triggering mechanism responsive to a set parameter first occurring at one of the acoustic sensors;
- a multiplexing circuit connected to the triggering mechanism and configured to receive a triggering event and in response thereto select and monitor sensors adjacent to a triggered sensor;
- and
- at least one recording component configured to record acoustical responses from at least one of said at least two acoustic sensors, the at least one recording component being responsive to the multiplexing circuit.
A method for monitoring acoustic emissions, comprising the steps of:
- providing an acoustic monitoring device comprising the components of at least two acoustic sensors capable of sensing acoustic vibrations from a solid medium, a triggering mechanism responsive to a set parameter first occurring at one of the acoustic sensors, a multiplexing circuit connected to the triggering mechanism and configured to receive a triggering event and in response thereto select and monitor at least one predetermined sensor adjacent to a triggered sensor, and at least one recording component configured to record acoustical responses from at least one of the at least two acoustic sensors, the at least one recording component being responsive to the multiplexing circuit;
- forming a connection between the acoustic monitoring device and the solid medium capable of detecting damage of the solid medium;
- and
- monitoring the sensors for a triggering event.
An acoustic monitoring device, comprising the components of:
- at least two acoustic sensors capable of sensing acoustic vibrations from a solid medium;
- a triggering mechanism responsive to a set parameter first occurring at one of the acoustic sensors;
- a multiplexing circuit connected to be triggering mechanism and configured to receive a triggering event and in response thereto select and monitor one of:
- at least two predetermined sensors adjacent to a triggered sensor, and
- a triggered sensor and at least one predetermined sensor adjacent to the triggered sensor;
- and
- at least one recording component configured to record signals from the monitored acoustic sensors.
An acoustic monitoring device, comprising the components of:
- at least two acoustic sensors capable of sensing acoustic vibrations from a solid medium;
- a triggering mechanism responsive to a set parameter first occurring at one of the acoustic sensors;
- a multiplexing circuit connected to the triggering mechanism and configured to receive a triggering event and in response thereto simultaneously monitor one of:
- at least two sensors adjacent to a triggered sensor, and
- a triggered sensor and at least one sensor adjacent to the triggered sensor;
- and
- at least one recording component configured to record signals from the simultaneously monitored sensors.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.