Method of determining if deterioration in structural integrity of a pressure vessel, a pressure vessel, and a structural integrity testing apparatus therefor
First Claim
1. A method for determining if there may be deterioration in structural integrity of a pressure vessel having an exterior surface comprised of a composite material having both sensor means and oscillator means affixed to or embedded in said exterior surface, comprising:
- (a) providing an electrical current to said oscillator means so as to cause said oscillator means to oscillate so as to produce a mechanical disturbance to said exterior surface and cause a detectable natural frequency response of said pressure vessel;
(b) detecting, using said sensor means, said natural frequency response;
(c) recording said natural frequency response;
(d) after a period of elapsed time, repeating steps a) and b); and
(e) comparing said recorded natural frequency response first obtained with said natural frequency response last obtained, and determining if there be a difference therebetween.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for determining if deterioration in structural integrity of a pressure vessel, having both sensor means and oscillator means affixed to or embedded in said exterior surface thereof. An electrical current is provided to the oscillator means so as to cause said oscillator means to oscillate and produce a mechanical disturbance to the exterior surface and cause a detectable natural frequency response of said pressure vessel. The resultant natural frequency response is detected and recorded. After a period of elapsed time, the natural frequency response is again obtained. It is compared with the recorded natural frequency response first obtained, and if there be a difference therebetween, such as a shift in the frequencies at which the natural resonances occur, or a decrease or increase in the amplitude of one or more of the natural frequency resonances, then a flag is raised. An apparatus for determining if deterioration in structural integrity of a pressure vessel, and a pressure vessel, is further disclosed.
23 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method for determining if there may be deterioration in structural integrity of a pressure vessel having an exterior surface comprised of a composite material having both sensor means and oscillator means affixed to or embedded in said exterior surface, comprising:
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(a) providing an electrical current to said oscillator means so as to cause said oscillator means to oscillate so as to produce a mechanical disturbance to said exterior surface and cause a detectable natural frequency response of said pressure vessel;
(b) detecting, using said sensor means, said natural frequency response;
(c) recording said natural frequency response;
(d) after a period of elapsed time, repeating steps a) and b); and
(e) comparing said recorded natural frequency response first obtained with said natural frequency response last obtained, and determining if there be a difference therebetween. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A structural integrity testing apparatus for a composite-reinforced pressure vessel having an exterior surface comprised of a composite material, comprising:
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(i) sensor means and oscillator means affixed to or embedded in said exterior surface;
(ii) means for applying ng an electrical current to said oscillator means so as to cause said oscillator means to oscillate so as to produce a mechanical disturbance to said exterior surface and cause a detectable natural frequency response of said pressure vessel;
(iii) means for recording said natural frequency response of said pressure vessel; and
(iv) means for comparing said recorded resultant natural frequency response with a later-obtained natural frequency response, and determining if there be any difference therebetween - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A pressure vessel, comprising:
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an inner vessel;
a reinforced material surrounding said inner vessel and forming an exterior surface;
both sensor means and oscillator means affixed to or embedded in said exterior surface; and
,means for storing a resultant natural frequency response as received from said sensor means, after a mechanical disturbance has been provided to said exterior surface of said pressure vessel by said oscillator means. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification