GLOBAL AIRFRAME HEALTH CHARACTERIZATION
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- setting, by a controller comprising a processor, an initial vibration frequency to be applied to an airframe;
commanding, by the controller, one or more force generators to apply a vibratory load to the airframe at the initial vibration frequency;
determining, by the controller, a vibration response of the airframe at the initial vibration frequency using a plurality of sensors;
sweeping, by the controller, through a range of vibration frequencies to be applied to the airframe;
commanding, by the controller, the one or more force generators to apply a plurality of vibratory loads to the airframe over the range of vibration frequencies;
determining, by the controller, a range of vibration responses of the airframe over the range of vibration frequencies using the plurality of sensors;
determining, by the controller, a global stiffness of the airframe based on the vibration response and the range of vibration responses; and
reporting, by the controller, results of determining the global stiffness of the airframe.
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Accused Products
Abstract
According to one aspect, a controller, including a processor, sets an initial vibration frequency to be applied to an airframe. The controller commands one or more force generators to apply a vibratory load to the airframe at the initial vibration frequency. The controller determines a vibration response of the airframe at the initial vibration frequency using sensors. The controller sweeps through a range of vibration frequencies to be applied to the airframe. The one or more force generators are commanded to apply a plurality of vibratory loads to the airframe over the range of vibration frequencies. The controller determines a range of vibration responses of the airframe over the range of vibration frequencies using the sensors. A global stiffness of the airframe is determined based on the vibration response and the range of vibration responses. The controller reports results of the determined global stiffness of the airframe.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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setting, by a controller comprising a processor, an initial vibration frequency to be applied to an airframe; commanding, by the controller, one or more force generators to apply a vibratory load to the airframe at the initial vibration frequency; determining, by the controller, a vibration response of the airframe at the initial vibration frequency using a plurality of sensors; sweeping, by the controller, through a range of vibration frequencies to be applied to the airframe; commanding, by the controller, the one or more force generators to apply a plurality of vibratory loads to the airframe over the range of vibration frequencies; determining, by the controller, a range of vibration responses of the airframe over the range of vibration frequencies using the plurality of sensors; determining, by the controller, a global stiffness of the airframe based on the vibration response and the range of vibration responses; and reporting, by the controller, results of determining the global stiffness of the airframe. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system comprising:
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one or more force generators configured to apply vibratory loads to an airframe; a plurality of sensors coupled to the airframe; and a controller configured to; set an initial vibration frequency to be applied to the airframe; command the one or more force generators to apply a vibratory load to the airframe at the initial vibration frequency; determine a vibration response of the airframe at the initial vibration frequency using the plurality of sensors; sweep through a range of vibration frequencies to be applied to the airframe; command the one or more force generators to apply a plurality of vibratory loads to the airframe over the range of vibration frequencies; determine a range of vibration responses of the airframe over the range of vibration frequencies using the plurality of sensors; determine a global stiffness of the airframe based on the vibration response and the range of vibration responses; and report results of determining the global stiffness of the airframe. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A system comprising:
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a first inertial measurement unit located at a nose section of an airframe of an aircraft; a second inertial measurement unit located at an extending tail of the airframe; and a controller configured to; measure an angular deflection of the airframe during flight based on a relative difference between measurements from the first inertial measurement unit and the second inertial measurement unit; determine a global stiffness of the airframe based on the angular deflection of the airframe in combination with a load state of the aircraft; and report results of determining the global stiffness of the airframe. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification