Methods and apparatus to prevent failures of fiber-reinforced composite materials under compressive stresses caused by fluids and gases invading microfractures in the materials

• US 9,625,361 B1
• Filed: 08/13/2013
• Issued: 04/18/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Smart Drilling and Completion, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Smart Drilling and Completion, Inc.
• Inventors: Vail, III, William Banning
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, John H
• Application Number:
  US13/966,172
• Time in Patent Office: 1,344 Days
• Field of Search: 702 9, 702 12, 702 34, 702 42, 702 43, 702 53, 702 59, 702144, 702181, 73777, 138125, 166 61, 166302, 166367, 264108
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 1/26 Attaching the wing or tail units or stabilising surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 2001/0072 from composite materials
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 3/00 Investigating strength properties of solid materials by application of mechanical stress
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 3/08 by applying steady tensile or compressive forces G01N3/28 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/40 Weight reduction
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1369 Fiber or fibers wound around each other or into a self-sustaining shape [e.g., yarn, braid, fibers shaped around a core, etc.]

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are described to use real-time measurement systems to detect the onset of compression induced micro-fracturing of fiber-reinforced composite materials. Measurements are described to detect the onset of compression induced micro-fracturing of fiber-reinforced composite materials to prevent catastrophic failures of aircraft components containing such materials. Methods and apparatus are described to prevent fluids and gases from invading any compression induced microfractures by coating surfaces of fiber-reinforced materials to reduce the probability of failure of such fiber-reinforced materials.

Claims

1. A real time electronics measurement system to assess failure of a portion of an aircraft made at least in part with fiber reinforced composite material comprising, measurement means fabricated within the wing and wing-box portion of an aircraft to detect the invasion of fluids and gases into compression induced microfractures of the fiber-reinforced composite materials, communication means for outputting data generated by the measurement means, and a remote receiver for receiving the data output.

2. The real time electronics measurement system of claim 1, wherein the remote receiver comprises at least one of a computer and hand held device.

3. The real time electronics measurement system of claim 1, wherein the communication means transmits data to the receiver by at least one of radio frequency, cellular and Wi-Fi.

4. The real time electronics measurement system of claim 1, wherein the data output from the communication means includes an alarm.

5. The real time electronics measurement system of claim 1, further comprising a communications module that is programmable to automatically initiate transmission of data to at least one remote receiver by the communication means following arrival of the aircraft at an airport.

6. A real time electronics measurement system comprising, measurement means to measure the differential resistivity of fiber reinforced composite materials fabricated within the wing and wing-box portion of an aircraft to detect the invasion of fluids and gases into compression induced microfractures of said fiber-reinforced composite materials, communication means for outputting data generated by the measurement means, and a remote receiver for receiving the data output of the communication means.