Patent · US Expired

In-situ on-line structural failure detection system, its preparation and operation

US4546652A · kind A · utility

32Cited by
5References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 22, 1981
Grant dateOct 15, 1985
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 22, 2001

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01B7/16
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Structural failures, as in metal aircraft structures, are rapidly detected and measured by use of a new detection system comprising a thin film adhesively bonded to the metal structural surface to be monitored, said film containing a plurality of thin continuous strips which are adapted to be broken when a crack appears under the strips, said strips being substantially parallel but insulated from each other and the metal structural surface and arranged in a pattern such that there is frequent change in direction of the strips as in a zig-zag or rectangular pattern, each of said strips constituting a separate circuit joined to an electric power source and a sensing and recording means capable of detecting and recording any circuit failure caused by disruption of the metal strip, said disruption being caused by the formation of a crack under the said strip.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.