METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR USING ACTIVE SURFACE COVERINGS FOR STRUCTURAL ASSESSMENT AND MONITORING
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for structural assessment comprising:
- a plurality of sensors; and
a surface covering for at least a portion of a structure, said sensors arranged in a pattern and attached to said surface covering, said surface covering attached to a surface of a structure and configured to provide protection capabilities for portions of the structure to which it is affixed, said sensors networked to locate and size impacts on a surface of the structure, said sensors configured to provide signals relating to the integrity of the structure to an external device, said surface covering comprising a plurality of layers, said surface covering further comprising at least one of a coating and at least one layer of at least one of an impact sensitive material, a strain sensitive material, a heat sensitive material, a low observable material and an electrical shielding material.
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Abstract
A system for structural assessment is described that comprises a plurality of sensors and a surface covering for at least a portion of a structure. The sensors are arranged in a pattern and attached to the surface covering. The surface covering is attached to a surface of a structure, and the sensors are configured to provide signals relating to the integrity of the structure to an external device.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A system for structural assessment comprising:
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a plurality of sensors; and a surface covering for at least a portion of a structure, said sensors arranged in a pattern and attached to said surface covering, said surface covering attached to a surface of a structure and configured to provide protection capabilities for portions of the structure to which it is affixed, said sensors networked to locate and size impacts on a surface of the structure, said sensors configured to provide signals relating to the integrity of the structure to an external device, said surface covering comprising a plurality of layers, said surface covering further comprising at least one of a coating and at least one layer of at least one of an impact sensitive material, a strain sensitive material, a heat sensitive material, a low observable material and an electrical shielding material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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6. (canceled)
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7. (canceled)
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12. A surface covering for a structure comprising:
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a layer of surface covering material; an adhesive backing attached to said layer of surface covering material; a plurality of nondestructive evaluation sensors arranged in a pattern and attached to said layer of surface covering material, said sensors networked to locate and size impacts on a surface of the structure; and a indicator material configured to indicate one or more phenomena occurring with respect to a structure to which said surface covering is attached. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for structural assessment and monitoring of a structure comprising:
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providing at least one layer of material that includes a plurality of sensors attached thereto; utilizing the at least one layer of material and plurality of sensors as a surface coating for the structure, the at least one layer of material configured to provide protection capabilities for portions of the structure to which it is affixed; networking the sensors to locate and determine a size of impacts on the surface of the structure; configuring the plurality of sensors to output signals indicative of an integrity of the structure; and
providing at least one of an additional layer and a coating capable of indicating one or more phenomena occurring with respect to the structure to which the coating is attached. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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- 20. (canceled)
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24. (canceled)
Specification