STRUCTURAL HEALTH MONITORING USING SPRAYABLE PAINT FORMULATIONS
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of monitoring the structural health of a structure, the method comprising:
- spraying a paint formulation containing a dispersion of carbon nanoparticles to provide a paint layer on said structure to form part of a durable paint system; and
monitoring an electrical characteristic of said paint layer to thereby an indication of the structural health of said structure in a region of said paint layer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The structural health of a structure such as an aircraft is monitored by spraying a paint formulation containing a loading of carbon nanoparticles to provide a paint layer forming part of a paint system. The paint layer forms a smart skin whose electrical properties may be monitored to determine structural health.
16 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of monitoring the structural health of a structure, the method comprising:
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spraying a paint formulation containing a dispersion of carbon nanoparticles to provide a paint layer on said structure to form part of a durable paint system; and monitoring an electrical characteristic of said paint layer to thereby an indication of the structural health of said structure in a region of said paint layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A structure comprising:
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one or more paint layers including a dispersion of nanoparticles; and a detector for detecting an electrical property of said paint layer, to thereby determine an indication of a structural health of said structure.
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19. A paint formulation comprising:
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a sprayable resin or polymeric material; and a dispersion of carbon nanotubes in the sprayable resin or polymeric material.
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20. A method of producing a paint formulation for monitoring structural health of a structure, the method comprising:
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providing a liquid component of an aerospace paint system; and dispersing therein an amount of carbon nanoparticles.
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Specification