Composite material and method of controlling damage thereto and damage sensor
US6896961B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 7, 2003 |
| Grant date | May 24, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 31, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/254
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A composite material has a laminated structure of fiber-reinforced resin layers and films of a shape-memory alloy. A predetermined strain has been applied to each film. A damage sensor has a film of an alloy of nickel and titanium. An electric circuit is bonded to the film, and strain gages are connected to the electric circuit. The damage sensor can be laminated to the resin layers in place of the film of the shape-memory alloy. Damage to the composite material is suppressed as follows: A current is applied to the films of the shape-memory alloy, to monitor change in electric resistance of the films. The damage is located in response to the change in electric resistance. Another current is applied to a film of the shape-memory alloy for which the change is larger than the other films to generate heat for deforming the film to generate shrinking stress or shear stress to the damage.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.