Device and method for determining and detecting the onset of structural collapse
First Claim
1. A method of detecting the health of a structure so as to determine structural collapse comprising:
- (a) utilizing a Health of Burning Structures system having at least one of a Power Spectral Density Analysis, a Root Mean Square Analysis, a Signal Bandwidth Analysis, a Maximum Entropy Method Analysis, a Random Decrement Analysis, a Hilbert Transform, a Shock Response Spectrum, a Wavelet Transform Analysis and a Damping Estimation Analysis;
(b) obtaining amplified digital data signal from at least one device;
(c) conveying said data signal to a means for analyzing said data;
(d) filtering and removing signal noise from said digital data signal using band stop filters;
(e) obtaining a filtered signal;
(f) locating frequencies having magnitudes greater than eight standard deviations above a mean frequency amplitude to remove said signal noise;
(g) displaying said signal; and
(h) storing said signal in a means for data storage.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A significant number of rescue workers are killed or injured each year as they conduct searches within damaged or burning structures, unaware that the structure is in imminent danger of collapse. The present invention provides a system and method for detecting and monitoring structural damages which are irreversible and which lead to inevitable collapse of a building or structure. The system includes at least one accelerometer that is housed in a device that is mounted on an exterior surface outside the burn area, and within the reach of the rescue worker. The device communicates with a remote display that provides visual and/or audible signals to indicate imminent collapse of the structure. Additionally, the system includes collapse detecting analysis processes for determining the likelihood of collapse.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method of detecting the health of a structure so as to determine structural collapse comprising:
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(a) utilizing a Health of Burning Structures system having at least one of a Power Spectral Density Analysis, a Root Mean Square Analysis, a Signal Bandwidth Analysis, a Maximum Entropy Method Analysis, a Random Decrement Analysis, a Hilbert Transform, a Shock Response Spectrum, a Wavelet Transform Analysis and a Damping Estimation Analysis; (b) obtaining amplified digital data signal from at least one device; (c) conveying said data signal to a means for analyzing said data; (d) filtering and removing signal noise from said digital data signal using band stop filters; (e) obtaining a filtered signal; (f) locating frequencies having magnitudes greater than eight standard deviations above a mean frequency amplitude to remove said signal noise; (g) displaying said signal; and (h) storing said signal in a means for data storage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification