Fracture detecting structural health sensor
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsMatthew K. Fay, Gregory L. Sheffield
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A sensor device for monitoring and testing the integrity of structural elements is disclosed. A frangible membrane including a thin breakable conductor sense loop is bonded to a structural element to be tested. A fracture in the bonded structural element induces a disruption in the both the frangible membrane and the thin breakable conductor sense loop. Measured electrical property change of the disrupted conductor sense loop reveals the fracture in the structural element. Connection to the sensor device may be through a connector or using a wireless reader which remotely energizes the sensor device. The sensor may also be implemented as a gasket and/or employ weep holes to the breakable conductor to reveal possible corrosion as well.
Claims18
An apparatus for sensing structural integrity, comprising:
- a frangible non-conductive material;
- a breakable conductor sense loop within the frangible non-conductive material, the sense loop having ends;
- and
- a connecting device coupled to the ends of the breakable conductor sense loop;
- wherein the frangible non-conductive material is disposed adjacent to a structure surface such that the breakable conductor sense loop is disrupted with a fracture in the structure surface and the disruption is sensed through the connecting device to indicate the fracture in the structure surface and the frangible non-conductive material comprises two layers sandwiching the breakable conductor sense loop.
A method for sensing structural integrity, comprising the steps of:
- disposing a frangible non-conductive material having a breakable conductor sense loop within the frangible non-conductive material adjacent to a structure surface;
- disrupting the breakable conductor sense loop with a fracture in the structure surface;
- and
- sensing the disrupting in the breakable conductor sense loop through a connecting device coupled to ends of the breakable conductor sense loop to indicate the fracture in the structure surface;
- wherein the frangible non-conductive material comprises two layers sandwiching the breakable conductor sense loop.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.