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 having a test signal output;
a first transducer attached to the structure and receiving the test signal from the signal generator for converting the test signal to a mechanical signal transmitted through a portion of the composite-repaired area of the structure;
a second transducer attached to the structure for receiving the mechanical signal transmitted through the structure and converting the received mechanical signal into a response signal varying with the mechanical properties of the composite-repaired area; and
a signal processor coupled to the second transducer and receiving the response signal to output a display signal indicative of the mechanical properties of the composite-repaired area of the structure, said signal processor comparing the display signal to a baseline reference signal representing the mechanical 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
14 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 having a test signal output; a first transducer attached to the structure and receiving the test signal from the signal generator for converting the test signal to a mechanical signal transmitted through a portion of the composite-repaired area of the structure; a second transducer attached to the structure for receiving the mechanical signal transmitted through the structure and converting the received mechanical signal into a response signal varying with the mechanical properties of the composite-repaired area; and a signal processor coupled to the second transducer and receiving the response signal to output a display signal indicative of the mechanical properties of the composite-repaired area of the structure, said signal processor comparing the display signal to a baseline reference signal representing the mechanical condition of the composite-repaired area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. An apparatus for testing and inspection of a composite-repaired area of a structure, comprising:
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a signal generator having a test signal output; a first transducer attached to the structure and receiving the test signal from the signal generator for converting the test signal to a mechanical signal transmitted through a portion of the composite-repaired area of the structure; a second transducer attached to the structure for receiving the mechanical signal transmitted through the structure and converting the received mechanical signal into a response signal varying with the inertia, spring damping and viscous damping of the composite-repaired area; and an impedance analyzer coupled to receive the response signal and the test signal for measuring the impedance and/or admittance from the first transducer to the second transducer and generating an impedance versus frequency display signal varying with the inertia, spring damping and viscous damping of the composite-repaired area. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
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8. A method for evaluation and testing a composite-repaired area, where a baseline reference signal representing a repaired condition of the composite-repaired area was previously generated, comprising the steps of:
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transmitting a signal through the composite-repaired area of the structure; receiving the signal transmitted through the composite-repaired area; generating an output signal in response to receiving the signal, said output signal varying with the properties of the composite-repaired area including inertia, spring damping and viscous damping; and comparing the output signal to the baseline reference signal to determine a change in the properties of the composite-repaired area of the structure. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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11. The method of determining a baseline reference signal and an output signal for testing and inspection of a composite-repaired area of a structure, comprising the steps of:
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generating a first frequency-varying electrical signal; converting 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, at a second location on the structure, the mechanical signal transmitted through the composite-repaired area; converting the received mechanical signal into a second electrical signal; and processing the second electrical signal to generate the baseline reference signal varying with the mechanical properties of the composite-repaired area. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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Specification