Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus for detecting damage in a structure that includes a plurality of first piezoelectric sensing elements arranged in a generally circular shape. The apparatus also includes an annular-shaped second piezoelectric sensing element positioned adjacent the plurality of first piezoelectric sensing elements. One of the plurality of first piezoelectric sensing elements or the annular-shaped second piezoelectric sensing element generates a wave through the structure and other of the plurality of first piezoelectric sensing elements or the annular-shaped second piezoelectric sensing element senses the wave after passing through the structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus comprises a transducer and an array of transducers. The transducer is associated with an object. The transducer has an elongate shape. The array of transducers is associated with the object. The array of transducers is substantially parallel to the transducer.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for using aircraft bondline embedded current sensors to determine a lightning damage index are disclosed. A method of predicting lightning strike damage to at least one type of aircraft involves sensing, with at least one current sensor node embedded in at least one type of aircraft, induced current. The method further involves generating, with at least one current sensor node, at least one current signal representative of the induced current. Also, the method involves determining, electromagnetic density data associated with at least one region of at least one type of aircraft by using at least one current signal. Further, the method involves creating an index that provides a numeric representation for predicted lightning strike damage to at least one type of aircraft based on the electromagnetic density data, dimensions of at least one type of aircraft, and design features of at least one type of aircraft.

Abstract: A system for monitoring electrical current passing through a cured bondline may include a current sensor network embedded in an adhesive layer of the cured bondline. The current sensor network may include a plurality of inductive coils and a plurality of current sensor nodes electrically interconnecting the inductive coils to form a plurality of current sensor loops generating induced current in response to a magnetic field associated with an electrical current passing through the adhesive layer. The current sensor nodes may generate current signals representative of the induced current. The current sensor network may include a digital data communications network located external to the cured bondline and receiving the current signals from the current sensor nodes and detecting and monitoring electrical current passing through the cured bondline based on the current signals.

Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus for detecting damage in a structure that includes a plurality of first piezoelectric sensing elements arranged in a generally circular shape. The apparatus also includes an annular-shaped second piezoelectric sensing element positioned adjacent the plurality of first piezoelectric sensing elements. One of the plurality of first piezoelectric sensing elements or the annular-shaped second piezoelectric sensing element generates a wave through the structure and other of the plurality of first piezoelectric sensing elements or the annular-shaped second piezoelectric sensing element senses the wave after passing through the structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods of coupling sensors to a structure are disclosed. A particular method includes applying one or more communication traces to the structure. At least one of the one or more communication traces is formed using at least one direct-write technique. The method also includes coupling the one or more communication traces to at least one sensor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying an inconsistency. A number of waves that propagate through a structure are generated. A response signal is generated in response to detecting at least a portion of the number of waves that propagate through the structure. A determination is made as to whether the response signal includes a reflected component. A presence of the inconsistency in the structure is indicated when the response signal includes the reflected component.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inspecting an object is provided. Movement of inspection vehicles relative to a surface of the object is controlled using a controller. Generation of data about the object by sensor systems configured to generate the data when the sensor systems are in a configuration with respect to a location on the object for inspection and receiving power from the inspection vehicles is controlled using the controller. The data generated by the sensor systems is stored.

Abstract: A system for monitoring electrical current passing through a cured bondline may include a current sensor network embedded in an adhesive layer of the cured bondline. The current sensor network may include a plurality of inductive coils and a plurality of current sensor nodes electrically interconnecting the inductive coils to form a plurality of current sensor loops generating induced current in response to a magnetic field associated with an electrical current passing through the adhesive layer. The current sensor nodes may generate current signals representative of the induced current. The current sensor network may include a digital data communications network located external to the cured bondline and receiving the current signals from the current sensor nodes and detecting and monitoring electrical current passing through the cured bondline based on the current signals.

Abstract: Systems and methods of coupling digitizing sensors to a structure are disclosed. A particular system includes a digitizing sensor node. The system further includes a bus including a plurality of conductive elements applied to a substrate. A first conductive element of the bus is coupled to the digitizing sensor node using a direct-write technique.

Abstract: The disclosure provides in one embodiment a system for monitoring adhesive integrity within a cured bondline of a bonded structural assembly. The system comprises a bonded structural assembly having a cured bondline. The cured bondline comprises an adhesive layer, a scrim ply layer integrated with the adhesive layer, and an electrical sensor network integrated with the scrim ply layer. The system further comprises an electrical power source for providing electrical power to the electrical sensor network. The system further comprises a digital data communications network for retrieving and processing data from the electrical sensor network. The electrical sensor network monitors adhesive integrity on demand by interpreting changes in local dynamic responses and electromechanical properties directly measured within the cured bondline.

Abstract: Systems and methods of coupling digitizing sensors to a structure are disclosed. A particular method includes applying one or more communication traces and one or more power traces to a structure using at least one direct-write technique. The method may also include coupling the one or more communication traces to at least one digitizing sensor. The method may also include coupling the one or more power traces to the at least one digitizing sensor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting an inconsistency in an object. Signals sent on a plurality of paths in the object are received at a plurality of transducer units associated with the object. Time delays are identified for a number of modes in the signals received at the plurality of transducer units. A determination is made as to whether a time delay in the time delays for the number of modes in the signals has a difference from a number of other time delays for the number of modes that is greater than a desired amount.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for structural health monitoring are described. In one example, a method for use in designing a structural health monitoring (SHM) system for use in monitoring a host structure is described. The method includes one or more of a process for designing SHM systems for any given piece of structural hardware, a process for evaluating a given SHM system, a method to quantify the performance of a given SHM system in comparison to current inspection processes, a finite element modeling approach to determining excitation frequencies to detect damage and for selecting the best time window to use for sensed excitation signals, a Bayesian Network based data fusion technique that fuses in environmental information (load cycles induced on the structure) with a damage index (DI) to produce crack detection and estimation of crack length, and a damage location and sensor selection technique.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are present for monitoring a structure. A signal is sent into the structure, wherein the signal has a limited duration and a varying frequency. A response to the signal is received and the response is compared to a baseline to form a comparison.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting an inconsistency in an object. A signal sent from a first transducer unit is received at a second transducer unit. The signal is sent along a path through an object from the first transducer unit to the second transducer unit. The second transducer unit has segments. A velocity is identified at each segment in the segments for a number of modes for the signal to form identified velocities. A determination is made as to whether the inconsistency is present along the path through the object using the identified velocities for the number of modes for the signal.

Abstract: A method for inspecting a laminate structure may include transmitting a lamb wave through a selected portion of the laminate structure from an actuator at a predetermined location on a surface of the laminate structure. The method may also include receiving the transmitted lamb wave at a sensor at another predetermined location on the surface of the laminate structure. The method may additionally include detecting and characterizing an anomaly in the laminate structure based on the received lamb wave.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying an inconsistency. A number of waves that propagate through a structure are generated. A response signal is generated in response to detecting at least a portion of the number of waves that propagate through the structure. A determination is made as to whether the response signal includes a reflected component. A presence of the inconsistency in the structure is indicated when the response signal includes the reflected component.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for obtaining structural health data for evaluating a structural health of a component. A transducer detects a first signal representative of a signal transmitted through at least a portion of the component. An estimated signal for a remote transducer is determined based on at least the first signal and a transfer function.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inspecting an object is provided. Movement of inspection vehicles relative to a surface of the object is controlled using a controller. Generation of data about the object by sensor systems configured to generate the data when the sensor systems are in a configuration with respect to a location on the object for inspection and receiving power from the inspection vehicles is controlled using the controller. The data generated by the sensor systems is stored.