Methods and systems for using active surface coverings for structural assessment and monitoring
First Claim
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1. A system for structural assessment comprising:
- a plurality of sensors; and
a surface covering for at least a portion of a structure, said sensors arranged in a pattern and attached to said surface covering, said surface covering attached to a surface of the structure and configured to provide protection capabilities for portions of the structure to which it is affixed, said sensors networked to locate and size impacts on the surface of the structure, said sensors configured to provide signals relating to the integrity of the structure to an external device, said surface covering comprising a plurality of layers, said surface covering further comprising at least one of a coating and at least one layer of at least one of an impact sensitive material, a strain sensitive material, a heat sensitive material, a low observable material and an electrical shielding material.
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Abstract
A system for structural assessment is described that comprises a plurality of sensors and a surface covering for at least a portion of a structure. The sensors are arranged in a pattern and attached to the surface covering. The surface covering is attached to a surface of a structure, and the sensors are configured to provide signals relating to the integrity of the structure to an external device.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A system for structural assessment comprising:
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a plurality of sensors; and a surface covering for at least a portion of a structure, said sensors arranged in a pattern and attached to said surface covering, said surface covering attached to a surface of the structure and configured to provide protection capabilities for portions of the structure to which it is affixed, said sensors networked to locate and size impacts on the surface of the structure, said sensors configured to provide signals relating to the integrity of the structure to an external device, said surface covering comprising a plurality of layers, said surface covering further comprising at least one of a coating and at least one layer of at least one of an impact sensitive material, a strain sensitive material, a heat sensitive material, a low observable material and an electrical shielding material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A surface covering for a structure comprising:
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a layer of surface covering material; an adhesive backing attached to said layer of surface covering material; a plurality of nondestructive evaluation sensors arranged in a pattern and attached to said layer of surface covering material, said sensors networked to locate and size impacts on a surface of the structure; and an indicator material configured to indicate one or more phenomena occurring with respect to the structure to which said surface covering is attached. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for structural assessment and monitoring of a structure comprising:
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providing at least one layer of material that includes a plurality of sensors attached thereto; utilizing the at least one layer of material and plurality of sensors as a surface coating for the structure, the at least one layer of material configured to provide protection capabilities for portions of the structure to which it is affixed; networking the sensors to locate and determine a size of impacts on the surface of the structure; configuring the plurality of sensors to output signals indicative of an integrity of the structure; and providing at least one of an additional layer and a coating capable of indicating one or more phenomena occurring with respect to the structure to which the at least one of an additional layer and a coating is attached. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification