Internal structural monitoring system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An improved method of monitoring a rod end, comprising:
- using a rod end, the rod end having an eye used as a connection point to other structural components and a rod end shaft extending from the eye, the rod end shaft used for connection to a rod;
mounting a sensor inside a cavity of the rod end shaft to measure at least one of strain experienced by the rod end shaft and vibration experienced by the rod end shaft;
mounting a wireless communication unit mounted inside the cavity of the rod end shaft and connecting the wireless communication unit to the sensor to receive data from the sensor and transmit the data to a receiver outside the rod end shaft; and
mounting a power supply inside the cavity of the rod end shaft and connecting the power supply to the sensor and the wireless communication unit to supply necessary electrical power to the sensor and the communication unit.
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Abstract
A improved method of monitoring a structure by mounting a sensor within a cavity of the structure to measure at least one of strain experienced by the structure and vibration experience by the structure. Mounting a wireless communication unit mounted within the structure and connecting the wireless communication unit to the sensor to receive data from the sensor and transmit the data to a receiver outside the structure. Mounting a power supply within the structure and connecting the power supply to the sensor and the wireless communication unit to supply necessary electrical power to the sensor and the communication unit.
12 Citations
14 Claims
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1. An improved method of monitoring a rod end, comprising:
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using a rod end, the rod end having an eye used as a connection point to other structural components and a rod end shaft extending from the eye, the rod end shaft used for connection to a rod; mounting a sensor inside a cavity of the rod end shaft to measure at least one of strain experienced by the rod end shaft and vibration experienced by the rod end shaft; mounting a wireless communication unit mounted inside the cavity of the rod end shaft and connecting the wireless communication unit to the sensor to receive data from the sensor and transmit the data to a receiver outside the rod end shaft; and mounting a power supply inside the cavity of the rod end shaft and connecting the power supply to the sensor and the wireless communication unit to supply necessary electrical power to the sensor and the communication unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An improved method of monitoring a structure, comprising
mounting a sensor inside a cavity of the structure to measure at least one of strain experienced by the structure and vibration experienced by the structure; -
mounting a wireless communication unit mounted inside the structure and connecting the wireless communication unit to the sensor to receive data from the sensor and transmit the data to a receiver outside the structure; mounting a power supply inside the structure and connecting the power supply to the sensor and the wireless communication unit to supply necessary electrical power to the sensor and the communication unit; further including installing a first system support and a second system support in the structure and positioned in the structure such that the sensor is between the first system support and the second system support to hold the sensor in position so that the sensor senses at least one of strain and vibration. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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9. An improved method of monitoring a structure, comprising
creating a cavity inside a shaft of a rod end, wherein the rod end includes an eye used as a connection point to other structural components and the shaft extends from the eye for connection to a rod; -
mounting a sensor inside the cavity of the structure to measure at least one of strain experienced by the structure and vibration experienced by the structure; mounting a wireless communication unit mounted inside the cavity of the structure and connecting the wireless communication unit to the sensor to receive data from the sensor and transmit the data to a receiver outside the structure; and mounting a power supply inside the cavity of the structure and connecting the power supply to the sensor and the wireless communication unit to supply necessary electrical power to the sensor and the communication unit. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification