Diagnostic layer and methods for detecting structural integrity of composite and metallic materials
First Claim
1. A diagnostic layer for detecting a structural condition of a material, said diagnostic layer comprising:
- a thin and flexible dielectric substrate having embedded therein;
a network of actuators/sensors spatially distributed such that at least two actuators/sensors detect a propagating stress wave generated by at least one other actuators/sensors, wherein said actuators/sensors capable of generating electrical signals representative of a structural condition of said material;
a plurality of conductive elements electrically interconnecting said actuators/sensors; and
an output lead electrically connected to said conductive elements.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A diagnostic layer having a network of actuators and sensors may be incorporated into or on the surface of composite, metallic, and laminated materials for monitoring the structural health of the material. The diagnostic layer is adapted for detecting and measuring changes in the condition of the material, e.g., the site and extent of damage in the material. In a preferred embodiment, piezoelectric devices are embedded in the diagnostic layer in a network, and serve as actuators and sensors. Signals emitted from the sensors in response to physical deformation, either by an impact or as a result of stress waves generated by the actuators, are diagnostic of the current condition of the diagnostic layer. The diagnostic layer is also adapted to monitor the curing process of a composite material and accurately determine when curing is complete. Methods for monitoring changes in conditions of a material are also disclosed.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A diagnostic layer for detecting a structural condition of a material, said diagnostic layer comprising:
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a thin and flexible dielectric substrate having embedded therein;
a network of actuators/sensors spatially distributed such that at least two actuators/sensors detect a propagating stress wave generated by at least one other actuators/sensors, wherein said actuators/sensors capable of generating electrical signals representative of a structural condition of said material;
a plurality of conductive elements electrically interconnecting said actuators/sensors; and
an output lead electrically connected to said conductive elements. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 23)
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4. A diagnostic system for detecting a structural condition of a material, said diagnostic system comprising:
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a diagnostic layer comprising;
a thin and flexible dielectric substrate having embedded therein;
a network of actuators/sensors spatially distributed such that at least two actuators/sensors detect a propagating stress wave generated by at least one other actuators/sensors;
a plurality of conductive elements electrically interconnecting said actuators/sensors; and
an output lead electrically connected to said conductive elements;
a signal receiving means electrically coupled to said output lead for receiving said output signals from said actuators/sensors; and
an interfacing means in electrical communication with said signal receiving means, said interfacing means comprising a processing means for processing said output signals and generating data representing said structural condition of said material. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for detecting a change in a structural condition of a material, said method comprising the steps of:
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a) providing said material a diagnostic layer, said diagnostic layer comprising;
a thin and flexible dielectric substrate having embedded therein;
a network of actuators/sensors spatially distributed such that at least two actuators/sensors detect a propagating stress wave generated by at least one other actuators/sensors;
a plurality of conductive elements electrically interconnecting said actuators/sensors; and
an output lead electrically connected to said conductive elements;
b) transmitting a first input signal to said at least one other actuators/sensors through said output lead;
c) receiving a first set of output signals from said at least two actuators/sensors in response to said first input signal;
d) subsequently transmitting a second input signal to said at least one other actuators/sensors through said output lead;
e) receiving a second set of output signals from said at least two actuators/sensors in response to said second input signal; and
f) analyzing said first set of output signals and said second set of output signals to determine a difference between said first set of output signals and said second set of output signals, wherein said difference represents said change in said structural condition. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
a) subsequently transmitting an nth input signal to said at least one other actuators/sensors through said output lead;
b) receiving an nth set of output signals from said at least two actuators/sensors in response to said nth input signal; and
c) analyzing said nth set of output signals and a prior set of output signals to determine a difference between said nth set of output signals and said prior set of output signals, wherein said difference represents a further change in said structural condition of said material; and
d) repeating steps (a), (b), and (c) for a predetermined time.
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19. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of, before step (a), bonding said diagnostic layer to an external surface of said material.
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20. A method for detecting a physical deformation of a material having a diagnostic layer, said diagnostic layer comprising a network of interconnected actuators/sensors spatially distributed on a thin and flexible dielectric substrate and electrically connected to an output lead by a plurality of conductive elements, at least two of said actuators/sensors capable of detecting a structural condition in a region of said material, said method comprising the steps of:
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a) receiving a signal from at least one actuators/sensors of said network, wherein said signal represents a physical deformation of said at least one actuators/sensors of said network; and
b) processing said signal to generate data representing said physical deformation of said material. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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24. A diagnostic layer for detecting a structural condition of a material, said diagnostic layer comprising:
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a thin and flexible dielectric substrate having embedded therein;
a network of actuators/sensors spatially distributed on said substrate, said actuators/sensors capable of generating electrical signals representative of a structural condition of said material, wherein at least two actuators/sensors detect a structural condition in a region of said material;
a plurality of conductive elements electrically interconnecting said actuators/sensors; and
an output lead electrically connected to said conductive elements. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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Specification