Embedded system for diagnostics and prognostics of conduits

• US 20070116403A1
• Filed: 12/29/2006
• Published: 05/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kkb Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: Kenneth Blemel
• Inventors: Blemel, Kenneth
• Granted Patent: US 7,590,496 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/12
• CPC Class Codes: D07B 1/145 comprising elements for indicating or detecting the rope or cable status
• CPC Class Codes: F17D 5/02 Preventing, monitoring, or locating loss
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 5/0091 by using electromagnetic excitation or detection

Abstract

A set of sensors to be used with an apparatus providing a means for assessment of the integrity of insulated conduits, harnesses, cables, pipelines and other interconnection systems constructed with integral sensitized media, discrete sensors, and electronics providing a means for transforming sensed data into information and a means for communicating information for the purpose of understanding the location, degree and risk of damage and deterioration, and the probable causes thereof.

Claims

1. A set of sensors that are sheets, strips or strands of at least one sensitized medium, said sensors so constructed that end-to-end said sensors are essentially opaque to electrical signal transmission;

and

said set of sensors producing at least one optical phenomena when stimulated by a mechanism that causes the said optical phenomena; and

said sensitized mediums selected from mediums that are capable of supporting or conducting an electrical current and voltage, electromagnetic signals, optical signals, audio signal, shock waves, and liquids with the purpose to provide a means for controls and stimuli to the said sensitized medium; and

said set of sensors being positioned with respect to a conduit to provide information concerning the environment and real or potential damage and deterioration to a conduit.

2. The set of sensors of claim 1 wherein the set of sensors includes a strand that incorporates a mechanism as a means to mark location of damage.

3. The set of sensors of claim 1 wherein the set of sensors includes at least one vibration sensitized medium.

4. The set of sensors of claim 1 wherein the set of sensors includes at least one electro-magnetic interference (EMI) sensitized medium.

5. The set of sensors of claim 1 wherein the set of sensors includes at least one temperature sensitized medium.

6. The set of sensors of claim 1 wherein the set of sensors includes at least one strand of corrosivity sensitized medium.

7. The set of sensors of claim 1 wherein the set of sensors includes at least one strand of chafing sensitized medium.

8. The set of sensors of claim 1 wherein the set of sensors includes at least one strand of pressure sensitized medium.

9. The set of sensors of claim 1 wherein the set of sensors includes at least one strand of chemically sensitized medium.

10. The set of sensors of claim 1 wherein the set of sensors includes at least one strand of piezoelectric sensitized medium.

11. The set of sensors of claim 1 wherein the set of sensors includes at least one strand of base metal coated medium.

12. The set of sensors of claim 1 wherein the set of sensors includes at least one strand of noble metal coated medium.

13. A sensor of the set of sensors of claim 1 wherein the set of sensors includes at least one strand of clad silica sensitized medium.

14. A sensor of the set of sensors of claim 1 wherein the set of sensors includes at least one strand of fluorescent doped sensitized medium.

15. The sensitized media of a sensor of the set of sensors of claim 1 wherein the sensor provides a means for coupling to a plurality of conductors and connectors at spaced apart locations along the branches;

and a terminator connected to a first connector; and

,

a means to attach appropriate signals; and

a means to attach a signal analysis instrument.

16. The sensors of the set of sensors of claim 1 wherein the sensors comprise a means to quantitatively measure changes in signals and secondary effects as a means to detect the presence, degree, and location of deterioration or damage.

17. The sensitized media of a sensor of the set of sensors of claim 1 wherein the sensor is made up of diverse sensitized media including hollow, filled or solid strands, fibers and strips made with combinations of inorganic, organic or man-made materials.

18. The sensitized media of a sensor of the set of sensors of claim 1 in which the sensitized media comprises at least one dielectric.

19. The sensitized media of a sensor of the set of sensors of claim 1 wherein the sensitized media is in coaxial relationship with linear, curvilinear, or helical format.

20. The sensitized media of a sensor of the set of sensors of claim 1 fabricated on an inner layer.

21. The sensitized media of a sensor of the set of sensors of claim 1 fabricated on an outer surface.

22. The sensitized media of a sensor of the set of sensors of claim 1 that conduct electricity;

and

said sensitized media evidence at least one optical phenomena when stimulated by a mechanism that causes the said optical phenomena.

23. The sensitized media of a sensor of the set of sensors of claim 1 that conduct light;

and

said sensitized media evidence at least one optical phenomena when stimulated by a mechanism that causes the said optical phenomena.

24. The sensitized media of a sensor of the set of sensors of claim 1 that conduct electromagnetic signals.

25. The sensitized media of a sensor of the set of sensors of claim 1 that conduct acoustic signals.

26. The sensitized media of a sensor of the set of sensors of claim 1 that act as optical waveguides.

27. The sensitized media of a sensor of the set of sensors of claim 1 that act as optical transmission lines.

28. The sensitized media of a sensor of the set of sensors of claim 1 when joined by a multiplicity of interfaces create a plurality of sections.