Abstract: A system for measuring a deformation of a structure configured to be installed on an aircraft includes deformation sensor means configured to be associated with the structure and to assume an electrical resistance value indicative of the deformation of the structure and having two short-circuited electrical connection terminals to recreate a closed circuit, magnetic field excitation means having a laser generator and configured to generate a magnetic field concatenated with the closed circuit to generate an induced current, electromagnetic radiation, transmission means having an antenna and configured to emit an electromagnetic radiation, value of the electromagnetic radiation being a function of the electrical resistance of the deformation sensor means, electromagnetic radiation receiving means having an antenna and configured to receive the electromagnetic radiation transmitted by the electromagnetic radiation transmission means, and control means for determining the deformation of the structure as a functi

Abstract: A method for performing diagnostics of a structure subject to loads, in particular an aircraft structure, is described, said method being implemented by means of an arrangement of sensors located at relevant points of the structure and corresponding neural networks, and comprising: training the neural network in order to establish an associative relationship between the local displacement of the structure in a subset of relevant points and the local displacement of the structure in at least one residual relevant point; detecting the local displacement of the structure in a plurality of relevant points under operating conditions; estimating the local displacement of the structure in at least one residual relevant point by means of the associated neural network on the basis of the pre-established associated relationship; and comparing the local displacement of the estimated structure with the detected local displacement at the residual relevant point.

Abstract: A method for performing diagnostics of a structure subject to loads, in particular an aircraft structure, is described, said method being implemented by means of an arrangement of sensors located at relevant points of the structure and corresponding neural networks, and comprising: training the neural network in order to establish an associative relationship between the local displacement of the structure in a subset of relevant points and the local displacement of the structure in at least one residual relevant point; detecting the local displacement of the structure in a plurality of relevant points under operating conditions; estimating the local displacement of the structure in at least one residual relevant point by means of the associated neural network on the basis of the pre-established associated relationship; and comparing the local displacement of the estimated structure with the detected local displacement at the residual relevant point.

Abstract: A system for detecting liquid water in a sandwich structure, the sandwich structure comprising two outer skins and a honeycomb core that rigidly interconnects the outer skins, and wherein is obtained a plurality of cells closed at opposite ends by the two outer skins, the cells being further configured to be in fluid communication with each other, wherein the system comprises at least one sensor placed within one of said cells, the sensor being sensitive to the presence of free liquid water within the cells, and a processing unit configured to receive an output signal provided by the sensor and issue a warning in case of the presence of free liquid water within the cells.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a composite part includes preparing a stack of plies made of a starting material, applying a vacuum bag to the stack of plies, and subjecting the stack of plies to a temperature and pressure cycle in an autoclave. The starting material is a laminate material of resin matrix reinforced with a fiber material. The matrix has a core layer of semi-crystalline thermoplastic resin and a pair of outer layers of amorphous thermoplastic resin arranged on opposite sides of the core layer. The glass transition temperature of the amorphous thermoplastic resin is below the melting point of the semi-crystalline thermoplastic resin. The autoclave temperature cycle heating rapidly the stack of plies to a working temperature above the transition temperature, but below the melting point, keeping the stack of plies at the working temperature during a time period for compaction alone; and cooling the stack of plies.

Abstract: A method for performing diagnostics of a structure subject to loads, in particular an aircraft structure, is implemented by an arrangement of sensors located at relevant points of the structure and corresponding neural networks. The method includes training the neural network in order to establish an associative relationship between the state of the structure in a subset of relevant points and the state of the structure in at least one residual relevant point. The state of the structure is detected in a plurality of relevant points under operating conditions. The state of the structure is estimated in at least one residual relevant point by the associated neural network on the basis of the pre-established associated relationship.

Abstract: Systems are provided for measuring absorbed humidity in a composite material, including an item of composite material which includes a plurality of plies of material consolidated through the action of pressure and heat, wherein each ply of material is formed from a resin matrix reinforced with a fiber material, an insert embedded in the composite material, which is positioned in an interface zone between a first and a second ply of material, and in which at least one cavity is formed, in fluid communication with first and second ply of material, and an ambient humidity sensor positioned inside the cavity, capable of providing a signal indicating the humidity content in the atmosphere present inside the cavity. Corresponding methods are also provided.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a composite part includes preparing a stack of plies made of a starting material, applying a vacuum bag to the stack of plies, and subjecting the stack of plies to a temperature and pressure cycle in an autoclave. The starting material is a laminate material of resin matrix reinforced with a fiber material. The matrix has a core layer of semi-crystalline thermoplastic resin and a pair of outer layers of amorphous thermoplastic resin arranged on opposite sides of the core layer. The glass transition temperature of the amorphous thermoplastic resin is below the melting point of the semi-crystalline thermoplastic resin. The autoclave temperature cycle heating rapidly the stack of plies to a working temperature above the transition temperature, but below the melting point, keeping the stack of plies at the working temperature during a time period for compaction alone; and cooling the stack of plies.

Abstract: Systems are provided for measuring absorbed humidity in a composite material, including an item of composite material which includes a plurality of plies of material consolidated through the action of pressure and heat, wherein each ply of material is formed from a resin matrix reinforced with a fibre material, an insert embedded in the composite material, which is positioned in an interface zone between a first and a second ply of material, and in which at least one cavity is formed, in fluid communication with first and second ply of material, and an ambient humidity sensor positioned inside the cavity, capable of providing a signal indicating the humidity content in the atmosphere present inside the cavity. Corresponding methods are also provided.

Abstract: A method for prognostics of a structure subject to loads, particularly an aircraft structure, includes, detecting the state (strains) of the structure at multiple primary points and additional points. The loads acting on the structure associated with the state detected in the primary points are determined. Based on the determined loads, the state of the structure in the additional points is estimated. The estimated state of the structure is compared with the state detected in the additional points. A soundness state of the structure is assessed if the estimated and detected values of the state quantity are in agreement, or a defectiveness state of the structure if such values differ.

Abstract: A method for performing diagnostics of a structure subject to loads, in particular an aircraft structure, is implemented by an arrangement of sensors located at relevant points of the structure and corresponding neural networks. The method includes training the neural network in order to establish an associative relationship between the state of the structure in a subset of relevant points and the state of the structure in at least one residual relevant point. The state of the structure is detected in a plurality of relevant points under operating conditions. The state of the structure is estimated in at least one residual relevant point by the associated neural network on the basis of the pre-established associated relationship.

Abstract: An article of composite material includes a plurality of plies of material consolidated through the application of pressure and heating, in which each material ply is made by a resin matrix reinforced with fiber material. The article includes heating electrical resistance and temperature sensing devices embedded in the composite material, which are respectively placed in at least one interface zone between the material plies and are suitable to allow a temperature control of the article in service.

Abstract: A method for prognostics of a structure subject to loads, particularly an aircraft structure, includes, detecting the state (strains) of the structure at multiple primary points and additional points. The loads acting on the structure associated with the state detected in the primary points are determined. Based on the determined loads, the state of the structure in the additional points is estimated. The estimated state of the structure is compared with the state detected in the additional points. A soundness state of the structure is assessed if the estimated and detected values of the state quantity are in agreement, or a defectiveness state of the structure if such values differ.

Abstract: A pre-impregnated material includes a resin matrix reinforced with a fiber material. The matrix has a semi-crystalline layer based on semi-crystalline thermoplastic resin having a melting point Tf, on at least one side of which there is an amorphous surface layer based on amorphous thermoplastic resin having a glass transition temperature Tg, in which the glass transition temperature Tg of the amorphous thermoplastic resin is below the melting point Tf of the semi-crystalline thermoplastic resin.

Abstract: An article of composite material includes a plurality of plies of material consolidated through the application of pressure and heating, in which each material ply is made by a resin matrix reinforced with fiber material. The article includes heating electrical resistance and temperature sensing devices embedded in the composite material, which are respectively placed in at least one interface zone between the material plies and are suitable to allow a temperature control of the article in service.