AUTOMATED CRACK DETECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VEHICLE CLOSURE
First Claim
1. A method for monitoring one or more specific locations of a vehicle closure for fatigue failure occurring during opening and closing of the vehicle closure, comprising:
- (a) identifying one or more specific locations on a vehicle closure to be monitored;
(b) mounting a sensor at each of said one or more specific locations on said vehicle closure;
(c) repeatedly opening and closing said vehicle closure with said sensor mounted at each of said one or more specific locations on said vehicle closure; and
(d) comparing acoustic emission generated during repeated opening and closing of said vehicle closure to a predetermined threshold to determine a crack initiation status of said vehicle closure.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automated crack detection system and method for determining a crack initiation potential of a vehicle closure includes a vehicle closure operatively mounted to a vehicle. One or more specific locations on the vehicle closure are identified for monitoring and one or more sensors are mounted on the vehicle closure at the one or more specific locations identified. A signal analyzer assembly is linked to the one or more sensors for receiving acoustic emission signals therefrom when the vehicle closure is repeatedly opened and closed. The signal analyzer assembly compares the signals received to a predetermined threshold to determine a crack initiation potential of said vehicle closure.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method for monitoring one or more specific locations of a vehicle closure for fatigue failure occurring during opening and closing of the vehicle closure, comprising:
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(a) identifying one or more specific locations on a vehicle closure to be monitored; (b) mounting a sensor at each of said one or more specific locations on said vehicle closure; (c) repeatedly opening and closing said vehicle closure with said sensor mounted at each of said one or more specific locations on said vehicle closure; and (d) comparing acoustic emission generated during repeated opening and closing of said vehicle closure to a predetermined threshold to determine a crack initiation status of said vehicle closure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for determining fatigue failure in a vehicle closure, comprising:
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identifying at least one high risk location in a vehicle closure; positioning at least one sensor on said vehicle closure at each one of said at least one high risk location; generating acoustic emission by repeatedly closing said vehicle closure; collecting said acoustic emission generated for each closing impact of said vehicle closure through said at least one sensor; and comparing said acoustic emission collected to a predetermined threshold to determine a crack initiation potential of said vehicle closure. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for monitoring one or more specific locations of a vehicle closure during opening and closing of the vehicle closure, comprising:
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(a) identifying one or more specific locations on a vehicle closure to be monitored; (b) mounting a sensor at each of said one or more specific locations on said vehicle closure; (c) repeatedly opening and closing said vehicle closure with said sensor mounted at each of said one or more specific locations on said vehicle closure; and (d) monitoring local vibrations sensed by said sensor mounted at each of said one or more specific locations for a measurable increase evidencing crack initiation and/or propagation in said vehicle closure.
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23. An automated crack detection system for determining a crack initiation potential of a vehicle closure, said system comprising:
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a vehicle closure operatively mounted to a vehicle; one or more sensors positioned on said vehicle closure at one or more specific locations for monitoring acoustic emissions of said vehicle closure during closure thereof; and a signal analyzer assembly linked to each of said one or more sensors for receiving acoustic emission signals from said one or more sensors and comparing said signals received from said one or more sensors to a predetermined threshold to determine a crack initiation potential of said vehicle closure. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification