SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SELF-CONTAINED STRUCTURAL HEALTH MONITORING FOR COMPOSITE STRUCTURES
First Claim
1. A structural health monitoring (SHM) system for monitoring the structural health of a physical structure having at least one surface, the SHM system comprising:
- a central data acquisition module for sending and receiving wireless signals containing data associated with the structural health of a physical structure, the central data acquisition module comprising a processor and memory;
a plurality of sensor wafers configured to be bonded to the surface of the physical structure and communicably coupled with each other and the central data acquisition module in a hierarchical manner, each sensor wafer comprising;
a sensor for converting at least one of mechanical or thermal energy into an electrical signal, andcircuitry for receiving and routing data signals between the sensor and other designated ones of the sensor wafers or the central data acquisition module.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for structural health monitoring (SHM) of a physical structure, such as an aircraft component. The system may comprise a central data acquisition module and a plurality of wireless, self-contained sensor wafers bonded to a surface of the physical structure. The central data acquisition module and the sensor wafers may be communicably coupled in a hierarchical order. If any of the sensor wafers detects a structural fault, it may be stored in a memory of the central data acquisition module for retrieval by maintenance personnel. If one or more of the sensor wafers malfunctions, the central data acquisition module may reconfigure the hierarchical order in which the sensor wafers communicate to exclude the malfunctioning sensor wafer or wafers. The sensor wafers may include a sensor, circuitry, a wireless antenna, and a power source.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A structural health monitoring (SHM) system for monitoring the structural health of a physical structure having at least one surface, the SHM system comprising:
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a central data acquisition module for sending and receiving wireless signals containing data associated with the structural health of a physical structure, the central data acquisition module comprising a processor and memory; a plurality of sensor wafers configured to be bonded to the surface of the physical structure and communicably coupled with each other and the central data acquisition module in a hierarchical manner, each sensor wafer comprising; a sensor for converting at least one of mechanical or thermal energy into an electrical signal, and circuitry for receiving and routing data signals between the sensor and other designated ones of the sensor wafers or the central data acquisition module. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A structural health monitoring (SHM) system for monitoring the structural health of a physical structure having at least one surface, the SHM system comprising:
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a central data acquisition module for sending and receiving wireless signals containing data associated with the structural health of a physical structure, the central data acquisition module comprising a processor and memory; a plurality of self-contained sensor wafers configured to be bonded to the surface of the physical structure and wirelessly communicably coupled hierarchically with each other and the central data acquisition module, each sensor wafer comprising; a sensor for converting at least one of mechanical and thermal energy into an electrical signal, circuitry for receiving and routing data signals between the sensor and the other sensor wafers or the central data acquisition module, and a wireless antenna direct write (DW) deposited onto at least one of a carbon fiber ply and a fiberglass ply, wherein the memory of the central data acquisition module stores mapping data regarding the hierarchical order in which the sensor wafers communicate with each other and with the central data acquisition module. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of structural health monitoring (SHM) of a physical structure, having at least one surface, by a central data acquisition module having a processor and memory, the method comprising:
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communicating with a plurality of wireless self-contained sensor wafers bonded to the at least one surface, wherein the sensor wafers comprise; a sensor for converting at least one of mechanical or thermal energy into an electrical signal, and circuitry for receiving and routing data signals between the sensor and the other sensor wafers or the central data acquisition module, commanding the sensor wafers to communicate with designated ones of the sensor wafers according to a hierarchical order, wherein the sensor wafers may operate as parent nodes, child nodes, or both; and reconfiguring the hierarchical order in which the sensor wafers communicate to exclude any malfunctioning sensor wafers, if one or more of the sensor wafers is malfunctioning. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification