Method and apparatus for evaluation and inspection of composite-repaired structures
First Claim
1. An apparatus for testing and inspection of a composite-repaired area of a structure, comprising:
- a signal generator generating a test signal;
means coupled to the structure and receiving the test signal from the signal generator for converting the test signal to a mechanical signal for transmission through a portion of the composite-repaired area of the structure;
means coupled to the structure for receiving the mechanical signal transmitted through the structure and converting the received mechanical signal into a response signal; and
a signal processor coupled to the means for receiving includes a filter and an integrator, said filter masks from the responsive signal a range of signals outside the frequency of the test signal generating a sine sweep response, said integrator integrating the sine sweep and outputs a display signal indicative of the present condition of the composite-repaired area of the structure for comparison to a baseline reference signal representing a previously repaired condition of the composite-repaired area.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for evaluation and inspection of a composite-repaired structure generates a frequency-varying electrical signal to test and evaluate the composite-repaired area. The electrical signal is converted into a mechanical signal and transmitted through the composite-repaired area of the structure. The transmitted mechanical signal is received and converted into an electrical signal for processing. The processed signal is compared with a baseline reference signal to determine whether the composite-repaired area is damaged or undamaged. The baseline reference signal is obtained at the time of the composite repair of the structure.
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Citations
6 Claims
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1. An apparatus for testing and inspection of a composite-repaired area of a structure, comprising:
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a signal generator generating a test signal; means coupled to the structure and receiving the test signal from the signal generator for converting the test signal to a mechanical signal for transmission through a portion of the composite-repaired area of the structure; means coupled to the structure for receiving the mechanical signal transmitted through the structure and converting the received mechanical signal into a response signal; and a signal processor coupled to the means for receiving includes a filter and an integrator, said filter masks from the responsive signal a range of signals outside the frequency of the test signal generating a sine sweep response, said integrator integrating the sine sweep and outputs a display signal indicative of the present condition of the composite-repaired area of the structure for comparison to a baseline reference signal representing a previously repaired condition of the composite-repaired area. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. An apparatus for testing of a composite-repaired area of a structure, comprising:
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a signal generator generating a first electrical signal having a frequency; a first transducer coupled to the structure and coupled to the signal generator for converting the first electrical signal into a mechanical signal for transmission through the composite-repaired area of the structure; a second transducer coupled to the structure for receiving and converting the mechanical signal into a second electrical signal; and a signal processor coupled to the second transducer, said signal processor includes a filter and frequency domain integrator, said filter masks from the second electrical signal a range of signals outside the frequency of the first electrical signal generating a sine sweep response, said frequency domain integrator integrating the sine sweep response to generate an output signal indicative of the present condition of the composite-repaired area of the structure for comparison to a baseline reference signal representing a previously repaired condition of the composite-repaired area.
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4. An apparatus for testing and inspection of a composite-repaired area of a structure, comprising:
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a signal generator generating a test signal; means coupled to the structure and receiving the test signal from the signal generator for converting the test signal to a mechanical signal for transmission through a portion of the composite-repaired area of the structure; means coupled to the structure for receiving the mechanical signal transmitted through the structure and converting the received mechanical signal into a response signal; and an impedance analyzer coupled to the response signal and the test signal for measuring the impedance of the area and for generating an impedance versus frequency signal as a display signal. - View Dependent Claims (5)
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6. A method for evaluation and testing of a composite-repaired area of a structure, comprising the steps of:
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determining a baseline reference signal from the composite-repaired area of the structure; determining an output signal from the composite-repaired area of the structure, said output signal measured at a time after the step of determining the baseline reference; and comparing the baseline reference signal and the output signal to ascertain the condition of the composite-repaired area of the structure; wherein the steps of determining the baseline reference signal and the output signal each includes; transmitting a signal through the composite-repaired area of the structure, further including the steps of; generating a first frequency-varying electrical signal; convening the first electrical signal into a mechanical signal; transmitting, at a first location on the structure, the mechanical signal through a portion of the composite-repaired area of the structure; receiving the transmitted signal, further including the steps of; receiving, at second location on the structure, the mechanical signal; converting the received mechanical signal into a second electrical signal; and processing the second electrical signal to generate the baseline reference signal or the output signal wherein the step of processing includes the steps of; filtering out from the second electrical signal a range of signals outside the frequency of the transmitted signal to generate a sine sweep response; and integrating the sine sweep response to generate either the baseline reference signal or the output signal.
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Specification