Structural integrity monitoring system including wireless electromechanical impedance measurement
First Claim
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1. A system for determining a structural condition of an item, comprising:
- a piezoelectric sensor that is adapted to be supported on the item;
a resistive element coupled in series with the piezoelectric sensor;
a signal conditioner that conditions a signal including an indication of a voltage drop across the sensor;
a transmitter that transmits the processed signal; and
a remotely located interface that receives the transmitted signal and provides an output indicative of an impedance based upon the processed signal and the structural condition of the item.
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Abstract
A structural integrity monitoring system includes a piezoelectric sensor that is adapted to be secured to or embedded within an item of interest. A resistive element is placed in series with the piezoelectric sensor. An output from the series combination of the resistive element and the sensor is conditioned and then transmitted wirelessly to a remote location. An interface located at the remote location receives the transmitted signal, determines the content of the signal and provides an output indicative of the structural integrity of the item of interest.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A system for determining a structural condition of an item, comprising:
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a piezoelectric sensor that is adapted to be supported on the item;
a resistive element coupled in series with the piezoelectric sensor;
a signal conditioner that conditions a signal including an indication of a voltage drop across the sensor;
a transmitter that transmits the processed signal; and
a remotely located interface that receives the transmitted signal and provides an output indicative of an impedance based upon the processed signal and the structural condition of the item. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of determining a structural condition of an item, comprising the steps of:
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(a) attaching a piezoelectric sensor to the item;
(b) coupling a resistive element in series with the sensor;
(c) transmitting a signal that includes an indication of a voltage drop across the sensor to a processor located remotely from the sensor; and
(d) determining a structural condition of the item from the transmitted signal. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification