System and method for the detection and propagation measurement of flaws in a component or structure

A method for continuously monitoring the integrity of a structure, said method including at least the steps of:

• providing a sensor pad having a first structure engaging surface and opposite surface, the first surface provided with a set of at least one first channels;
• sealingly engaging said first surface of the sensor pad with the structure so that said channels together with the structure form a corresponding set of first cavities;
• coupling said first cavities to a constant vacuum source;
• monitoring for a change in vacuum condition between said cavities and said constant vacuum source;
• and
• isolating each of said first cavities from said constant vacuum source.

A method for continuously monitoring the integrity of a structure, said method including at least the steps of:

• providing a sensor pad having a first structure engaging surface and an opposite surface, the first surface provided with a set of at least first channels and a set of at least one second channels, said first channels isolated from and interspersed with said second channels;
• sealingly engaging said first surface of the sensor pad to the structure so that said channels together with the structure form a corresponding set of first and second cavities;
• coupling said first cavities to a constant vacuum source;
• coupling said second cavities to an atmosphere or environment at a different pressure or vacuum condition to said constant vacuum source;
• monitoring for a change the vacuum condition between said first cavities and said vacuum source;
• and
• isolating each of said first cavities from said constant vacuum source.

A system for use in the continuous monitoring of the structural integrity of a structure, said system including at least:

• an elastomeric sensor pad having a first structure engaging surface and an opposite surface, said first structure engaging surface provided with a set of at least one first channels and a set of at least one second channels interspersed with said first channels which, when said first structure engaging surface is sealingly engaged with said structure, form respective corresponding sets of at least one first cavities and at least one second cavities;
• a first fluid communication arrangement for providing fluid communication between said set of at least one first channels and a constant vacuum source;
• a second fluid communication arrangement for providing fluid communication between said second cavities and an atmosphere or environment at a pressure different to said constant vacuum source;
• and,
• an isolation mechanism for isolating each or selected ones of said first and/or second channels, to seal said first and/or second channels against the structure and fluidly isolate said first and/or second cavities from said vacuum source.

A system for use in the continuous monitoring of the structural integrity of a structure, said system including at least:

• an elastomeric sensor pad having a first structure engaging surface and an opposite surface, said first structure engaging surface provided with a set of at least one first channels which, when said first structure engaging surface is sealingly engaged with said structure, form a corresponding set of at least one first cavities;
• a first fluid communication arrangement for providing fluid communication between said set of at least one first channels and a constant vacuum source;
• and
• an isolation mechanism for individually and/or sequentially isolating said cavities so that progressively all of said cavities are isolated from said vacuum source.

A system for use in the continuous monitoring of the structural integrity of a structure, said system including at least:

• an elastomeric sensor pad having a first structure engaging surface and an opposite surface, said first structure engaging surface provided with a set of at least one first channels which, when said first structure engaging surface is sealingly engaged with said structure, form a corresponding set of at least one first cavities;
• a first fluid communication arrangement for providing fluid communication between said set of at least one first channels and a constant vacuum source;
• an isolation mechanism for isolating each of said first cavities from fluid communication with said constant vacuum source;
• wherein said first communication arrangement includes a duct formed on a second surface of said pad opposite said first surface and respective holes formed in said pad providing fluid communication between said first channels and said duct, and said isolation mechanism includes a mechanism for applying a fluid isolation force at respective locations to obstruct said duct, to fluidly isolate selected ones of said first channels from said vacuum source.

A method for continuously monitoring the integrity of a structure, said method including at least the steps of:

• providing a sensor pad having a first structure engaging surface and an opposite surface, the first surface provided with a set of at least first channels and a set of at least one second channels, said first channels isolated from and interspersed with said second channels;
• sealingly engaging said first surface of the sensor pad to the structure so that said channels together with the structure form a corresponding set of first and second cavities;
• coupling said first cavities to a constant vacuum source;
• coupling said second cavities to an atmosphere or environment at a different pressure or vacuum condition to said constant vacuum source;
• monitoring for a change the vacuum condition between said first cavities and said vacuum source;
• and
• isolating each of said first cavities individually and sequentially from said constant vacuum source so that progressively all of said cavities are isolated from said vacuum source.