Method of detecting and analyzing changes in the external loading conditions of a structure
First Claim
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1. A method of detecting and analyzing a change in an external loading condition of a structure, comprising:
- receiving electrical signals from a plurality of sensors affixed to and spatially distributed on a flexible substrate attached to a structure, the sensors configured to generate the electrical signals upon detection of propagating stress waves generated by a load change at a location of the structure, the propagating stress waves having frequencies corresponding to a severity of the load change;
isolating frequencies of the received electrical signals that fall within a range of frequencies characteristic of an impact of concern, so as to facilitate detection of the load change;
analyzing the isolated frequencies of the electrical signals so as to determine the location of the load change; and
processing the isolated frequencies of the electrical signals so as to determine the severity of the load changes;
wherein the analyzing further comprises calculating a total strain energy detected at each of the positions alone the structure, and determining the location of the load change from each of the total strain energies and associated ones of the positions along the structure.
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Abstract
A method for both detecting and analyzing a change in the loading condition of a structure. A flexible substrate is employed, in which a distributed network of sensors is built. This substrate is either affixed to the surface of the structure, or built within it, so as to be able to detect propagating stress waves. After load change is detected, the resulting sensor signals are analyzed to determine the location, severity, and/or any characteristic frequencies of the load change. This information is then used to determine an appropriate response.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of detecting and analyzing a change in an external loading condition of a structure, comprising:
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receiving electrical signals from a plurality of sensors affixed to and spatially distributed on a flexible substrate attached to a structure, the sensors configured to generate the electrical signals upon detection of propagating stress waves generated by a load change at a location of the structure, the propagating stress waves having frequencies corresponding to a severity of the load change; isolating frequencies of the received electrical signals that fall within a range of frequencies characteristic of an impact of concern, so as to facilitate detection of the load change; analyzing the isolated frequencies of the electrical signals so as to determine the location of the load change; and processing the isolated frequencies of the electrical signals so as to determine the severity of the load changes; wherein the analyzing further comprises calculating a total strain energy detected at each of the positions alone the structure, and determining the location of the load change from each of the total strain energies and associated ones of the positions along the structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of detecting and analyzing a change in an external loading condition of a structure, comprising:
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monitoring electrical signals emitted by a plurality of sensors affixed to and spatially distributed on a flexible substrate attached to a structure so as to monitor positions along the structure, the sensors configured to generate the electrical signals upon detection of propagating stress waves generated by a load change at a location of the structure, the propagating stress waves having frequencies corresponding to a severity of the load change; isolating frequencies of the received electrical signals that fall within a range of frequencies; determining an occurrence of the load change based upon the isolated frequencies of the received electrical signals; upon the occurrence of the load change, recording the received electrical signals so as to form recorded electrical signals; processing the recorded electrical signals so as to determine a total strain energy detected at each of the positions along the structure; calculating the location from each of the total strain energies and associated ones of the positions along the structure; and analyzing the recorded electrical signals so as to determine the severity of the load change. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A computer readable memory to direct a computer to function in a specified manner, comprising:
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a first module to monitor electrical signals emitted by a plurality of sensors affixed to and spatially distributed on a flexible substrate attached to a structure so as to monitor positions along the structure, the sensors configured to generate the electrical signals upon detection of propagating stress waves generated by a load change at a location of the structure, the propagating stress waves having frequencies corresponding to a severity of the load change; a second module to determine, according to isolated ones of the frequencies that fall within a range of frequencies, an occurrence of the load change; a third module to record the electrical signals upon the occurrence of the load change; a fourth module to process the recorded electrical signals so as to determine a total strain energy detected at each of the positions along the structure; a fifth module to calculate the location from each total strain energy and associated ones of the positions along the structure; and a sixth module to analyze the recorded electrical signals so as to determine the severity of the load change. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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Specification