Method and system to measure dynamic loads or stresses in aircraft, machines, and structures
First Claim
1. In combination, an aircraft and a system for measuring dynamic stresses in the structure of said aircraft, said aircraft comprising a fuselage and a pair of wings attached thereto, said system comprising a plurality of fixed elements embedded in predetermined locations of said fuselage and said wings, an ultrasonic or acoustical sensor attached to each of said elements, an acoustical signal processing means, a transmission means connected between each of said ultrasonic or acoustical sensors and said acoustical signal processor wherefrom ultrasonic pulses are transmitted to each of said fixed elements through said attached ultrasonic or acoustical sensor and back to said acoustical signal processing means which, in turn, is connected to a computer programmed to convert said returned ultrasonic pulses into stress measurement information.
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Abstract
The system and method of this invention determines stress within the load bearing members of an aircraft, machine or structure in order to improve their design, safety and efficiency as well as enhancing their operation. Load or stress is calculated from signals generated in fasteners fitted with piezoelectric crystals. Rather than indirect stress indication through approximations from accelerometers, optical fibers, position sensors, strain gages and the like, this invention calculates load or stress from sensors installed directly into load bearing elements. This invention can perform stress indicating function in machines and structures such as, but not limited to, aircrafts, buildings, bridges, power generating stations, ships and engines.
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Citations
20 Claims
- 1. In combination, an aircraft and a system for measuring dynamic stresses in the structure of said aircraft, said aircraft comprising a fuselage and a pair of wings attached thereto, said system comprising a plurality of fixed elements embedded in predetermined locations of said fuselage and said wings, an ultrasonic or acoustical sensor attached to each of said elements, an acoustical signal processing means, a transmission means connected between each of said ultrasonic or acoustical sensors and said acoustical signal processor wherefrom ultrasonic pulses are transmitted to each of said fixed elements through said attached ultrasonic or acoustical sensor and back to said acoustical signal processing means which, in turn, is connected to a computer programmed to convert said returned ultrasonic pulses into stress measurement information.
- 9. In combination, a machine or static structure and a system for measuring stresses in predetermined locations of said machine or structure, said system comprising a plurality of fixed elements embedded in said predetermined locations of said machine or structure, an ultrasonic or acoustical transceiver attached to each of said elements, an acoustical signal processing means, a transmission means connected between each of said ultrasonic or acoustical transceivers and said acoustical signal processing means wherefrom ultrasonic pulses are transmitted to each of said fixed elements through said attached ultrasonic or acoustical transceiver and back to said acoustical signal processing means which, in turn, is connected to a computer programmed to convert said returned ultrasonic pulses into stress measurement information.
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16. A method for measuring stresses at predetermined locations of a structure under load conditions, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing a plurality of fixed elements within said structure at said predetermined locations, providing an ultrasonic or acoustical transducer in each of said elements, providing a transmission means, an acoustical signal processing means and a programmed computer, electrically connecting said transmission means between each of said ultrasonic or acoustical transducers and said acoustical signal processing means, electrically connecting said acoustical signal processing means to said programmed computer, generating and transmitting ultrasonic pulses from said acoustical signal processing means to each of said ultrasonic or acoustical transducers to provide an acoustical response signal from each of said elements, receiving each of said acoustical response signals at said acoustical signal processing means, and converting each of said acoustical response signals into stress measurement information by said programmed computer. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. In combination, an aircraft and a system for measuring dynamic stresses in the structure of said aircraft, said aircraft comprising a fuselage and at least one lifting device, said system comprising a plurality of fixed elements embedded in predetermined locations of said aircraft, an ultrasonic or acoustical transducer attached to each of said elements, an acoustical signal processing means, a transmission means connected between each of said ultrasonic or acoustical transducers and said acoustical signal processing means wherefrom ultrasonic pulses are transmitted to each of said fixed elements through said attached ultrasonic or acoustical transducer and back to said acoustical signal processing means which, in turn, is connected to a computer programmed to convert said returned ultrasonic pulses into stress measurement information.
Specification