Fatigue Study Patents (Class 73/577)
  • Patent number: 11768486
    Abstract: A system for monitoring potential failure in a machine or a component thereof, the system including: at least one optical sensor configured to be fixed on or in vicinity of the machine or the component thereof, at least one processor in communication with the sensor, the processor being executable to: receive signals from the at least one optical sensor, obtain data associated with characteristics of at least one mode of failure of the machine or the component thereof, identify at least one change in the received signals, for an identified change in the received signals, apply the at least one identified change to an algorithm configured to analyze the identified change in the received signals and to classify whether the identified change in the received signals is associated with a mode of failure of the machine or the component thereof, thereby labeling the identified change as a fault, based, at least in part, on the obtained data, and for an identified change is classified as being associated with a mode
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: ODYSIGHT.AI LTD.
    Inventors: Amir Govrin, Yekaterina Dlugach, Yaron Silberman
  • Patent number: 11255744
    Abstract: Provided is a system for fatigue testing a wind turbine blade including: a mounting for retaining a root end of the wind turbine blade, at least one actuator assembly for attachment to the wind turbine blade, the at least one actuator assembly including at least one actuator for exciting the wind turbine blade in flapwise directions and/or edgewise directions, and at least one measuring device for measuring of a stress, a strain and/or a deflection of the wind turbine blade. The system further includes at least one tuned liquid damper for attachment to the wind turbine blade, the tuned liquid damper comprising a container and a liquid contained therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Inventor: Soeren Christiansen
  • Patent number: 10816513
    Abstract: A non-intrusive monitoring method and system for the detection and potential assessment of damage that may occur during a manufacturing process is described. Potential damage events such as impact events can be detected by one or more sensors located on a workpiece or on a machine utilized in the manufacturing process. Through wireless monitoring of the sensors, potential damage events are detected and products of the manufacturing process can be examined to determine if the event has led to damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: University of South Carolina
    Inventor: Paul Henry Ziehl
  • Patent number: 10732149
    Abstract: Methods and systems may be configured to integrate data from fixed nondestructive inspection sensors positioned on a test specimen and data from laser ultrasound scans of the test specimen, in order to monitor and track damage and stress indications in the test specimen in real-time during mechanical stress testing of the test specimen. Data from the laser ultrasound scans may identify emergent areas of interest within the test specimen that were not predicted by stress analysis, and further allow for reconfiguration of the test plan in view of the emergent areas of interest, without having the stop the test. Laser ultrasound scans may be performed on the entire test specimen, with high-resolution scans being performed on emergent areas of interest. Thus, stress indications, or stress effects, in the test specimen may be measured, identified, and tracked in real-time (e.g., as growth is propagating) in a test specimen undergoing structural tests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jeong-Beom Ihn, Gary E. Georgeson, William Paul Motzer
  • Patent number: 10422784
    Abstract: A measuring apparatus includes a base and a testing module. The testing module is received in the base and includes a temperature-controlling bucket, a testing cylinder, and upper and lower pistons. The temperature-controlling bucket extends in a vertical direction and has a bucket wall having a bucket inner surface and a bucket outer surface opposite to the bucket inner surface. The testing cylinder extends in the vertical direction, is received in the temperature-controlling bucket, and has a cylinder wall having a cylinder inner surface and a cylinder outer surface opposite to the cylinder inner surface. The upper and lower pistons plug top and bottom ends of the testing cylinder, respectively. The upper piston has a receiving room located inside the upper piston, and has a piston temperature sensor and a piston heating wire received in the receiving room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: CORETECH SYSTEM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuing Chang, Rong-Yeu Chang, Chen-Chieh Wang, Chia-Hsiang Hsu
  • Patent number: 10241090
    Abstract: A method and a test fixture for evaluating a battery cell composed of a cell body having a plurality of electrode foils, a positive terminal and a negative terminal, wherein the positive terminal and the negative terminal are each joined to the cell body at weld junctions. This includes retaining the cell body of the battery cell in a first clamping device. The terminal is grasped in a terminal gripper. A dynamic stress end effector coupled to the terminal gripper applies a vibrational excitation load to the terminal. A static stress end effector applies a static load to the terminal. Integrity of the weld junction is evaluated based upon the applied static load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Wayne W. Cai, Debejyo Chakraborty, Qian Lin, John M. Moote, Anthony Ottomano, Teresa J. Rinker
  • Patent number: 10126201
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a combination of a test rig and test specimen for performing a fatigue test, wherein the test specimen is non-axisymmetric and comprises:—a central element,—a first branch element, which has a longitudinal axis that extends at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the central element,—a joint connecting the first branch element to the central element, which has an in plane bending resonance frequency with an associated in plane bending mode shape, and an out of plane bending resonance frequency with an associated out of plane bending mode shape, wherein the in plane bending resonance frequency and the out of plane bending frequency are substantially the same, wherein the first node of the in plane bending mode shape and the first node of the out of plane bending mode shape are substantially at the same position at the first branch element and wherein the test rig comprises:—a support for supporting the test specimen,—an excitator for subjecting the test specimen to forced vibration at
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: ONDERZOEKSCENTRUM VOOR AANWENDING VAN STAAL N.V.
    Inventors: Jeroen Stijn Juliaan Van Wittenberghe, Philippe Octave Thibaux
  • Patent number: 10094751
    Abstract: A method of determining damage tolerance allowables in a specimen, the method includes applying a cyclic load to a specimen until a first crack emanates from a notch in the specimen, the cyclic load having a maximum load and a minimum load. The method also includes applying a subsequent cyclic load to the specimen until the first crack grows to form a second crack emanating from the first crack, the subsequent cyclic load having the same maximum load but a greater minimum load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoming Li, Bogdan R. Krasnowski
  • Patent number: 9927324
    Abstract: A method for testing a life of a radial rolling bearing and a radial rolling-bearing testing device. According to the method for testing the life of the radial rolling bearing and the radial rolling-bearing testing device, a portion of the radial rolling bearing is immersed in lubricant, and a bearing life is tested by rotating an outer ring and an inner ring relative to each other in a state where a radial load is applied to the radial rolling bearing. The radial load is applied in a horizontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Ikuo Taguchi, Masato Yoshida
  • Patent number: 9804130
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for generating ultrasound results having a simulated level of porosity for a composite. Data for a set of composite coupons having different levels of porosity is obtained. An attenuation distribution function is fit to a back wall signal generated from the data for each coupon and a library of echo patterns based on such data is created. An interpolated attenuation distribution function is calculated based on an interpolation of two stored attenuation distribution functions having the closest porosity values to the selected level. A main attenuation distribution function value is assigned to one portion of a selected region in a zero porosity coupon and attenuation distribution functions values within a predetermined percentage of the main attenuation distribution function are assigned to other portions of the region. Waveforms associated with the portions are modified based on such values and selected echo patterns from the library.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Hong H. Tat, Gary E. Georgeson, Richard H. Bossi
  • Patent number: 9704820
    Abstract: A semiconductor manufacturing method is disclosed. The method includes: providing a first wafer and a second wafer, wherein the first wafer and the second wafer are bonded together; submerging the bonded first and second wafers in an ultrasonic transmitting medium; producing ultrasonic waves; and directing the ultrasonic waves to the bonded first and second wafers through the ultrasonic transmitting medium for a predetermined time period. An associated semiconductor manufacturing system for at least weakening a bonding strength of bonded wafers is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Xin-Hua Huang, Yung-Lung Lin, Ping-Yin Liu, Chia-Shiung Tsai
  • Patent number: 9588009
    Abstract: This ultrasonic fatigue testing machine is one that resonates a test piece by an ultrasonic wave to perform a fatigue test, and configured to include an ultrasonic wave generation part 10, a displacement measurement part 20, and a control part 30 that controls the overall operation of the ultrasonic fatigue testing machine. The control part 30 is configured to have a computer that includes storage devices capable of store programs and various types of data, such as an RAM and an ROM, and an arithmetic unit such as a CPU, and includes an internal temperature estimation part 31, an allowable range setting part 32, and a determination part 33 as a main functional configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tohru Matsuura
  • Patent number: 8869624
    Abstract: A monitoring system includes a calibrated micro-electro-mechanical structure (MEMS) matrix in communication with a controller. The MEMS matrix includes MEMS elements of various sizes which create a continuum of vibration-stress-resistant elements. The MEMS elements will flex in response to flexing of a printed circuit board due to mechanical vibration until failure occurs. The controller monitors the continuity of the MEMS matrix to determine which elements of the MEMS matrix have failed to accurately determine the accumulated vibration stress experienced by the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Ted R. Schnetker, Robert C. Cooney
  • Patent number: 8793081
    Abstract: A improved method of monitoring a structure by mounting a sensor within a cavity of the structure to measure at least one of strain experienced by the structure and vibration experience by the structure. Mounting a wireless communication unit mounted within the structure and connecting the wireless communication unit to the sensor to receive data from the sensor and transmit the data to a receiver outside the structure. Mounting a power supply within the structure and connecting the power supply to the sensor and the wireless communication unit to supply necessary electrical power to the sensor and the communication unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: KCF Technologies Inc
    Inventors: Jacob Loverich, Stephen J. Wenner, Jeremy E. Frank
  • Publication number: 20140174184
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method for ultrasonic fatigue testing at high temperature and a testing device without needing preliminary Young's modulus measurement, and a method for ultrasonic fatigue testing at high temperature and a testing device capable of securing heat insulation for protecting a vibrator without water cooling of a horn, measuring end surface displacement of a test specimen in a noncontact manner, and solving problems of a noncontact temperature measurement of a test specimen and temperature control. Young's modulus is calculated by inverse calculation, a rod and a horn having heat resistance, heat insulation, and temperature symmetry of a test specimen are used, laser light is irradiated and received from an oblique direction to measure end surface displacement, and a noncontact temperature measurement of a test specimen by a black-body coating and a two-color radiation thermometer and temperature control by a high-frequency coil having a special shape are performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Furuya
  • Publication number: 20140130598
    Abstract: A method of carrying out a vibratory fatigue test of a mechanical part having a fatigue endurance limit, the part including a repair extending partly on a first zone of the part, the method including a preliminary test phase including: selecting a loading mode of the part; determining a cutting of the part defining a truncated part, the cutting of the part being defined to obtain a loading level in the repaired zone equal to the maximum value of an abatement to be validated; selecting a measuring device for the fine control of the fatigue test by the measurement of a stress applied to a point of the part; determining a resonance frequency of the truncated part according to the selected loading mode; implementing a loading according to the selected mode at a given level of the truncated part at the resonance frequency up to rupture of the part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventors: Jeremy Fanelli, Alain Bassot, Michèle Marois
  • Patent number: 8723673
    Abstract: A detection and alarm system comprises a piezoelectric film sensor and associated circuitry. The sensor detects acoustic emission signals from metallic objects under stress upon which it is affixed. The associated circuitry receives electronic signals from the sensor, creates and evaluates a sensor output value including rate ratio and frequency content of such signals within preset time limits. This data allows the detection of impending failure, an alarm condition, of the metallic object by identifying significant changes in the rate of emission of such sensor signals. An alarm condition may then trigger an alarm signal to warn of such impending failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Alertek, LLC
    Inventors: Zvi H. Meiksin, Robert J. Kilgore
  • Patent number: 8650957
    Abstract: To measure the fatigue ageing of an electronic component in an electronic assembly subjected to mechanical excitations, a dynamic correspondence is established between kinematic measurements at certain points and mechanical stresses experienced at points that are critical as regard to the reliability of the electronic assembly. The critical points may be different from the measurement points. This correspondence is integrated into a monitoring device as a functionality that calculates the mechanical stresses, thereby providing an indicator of the cumulative fatigue damage. The invention is such that the monitoring device can be incorporated into the electronic assembly, preferably, the monitoring device is autonomous both as regard to processing the measurements and calculating the damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company Eads France
    Inventors: Marc Grieu, Gregor Massiot
  • Patent number: 8650956
    Abstract: Vibration test arrangements incorporate an isolation device. In order to allow the isolation device to operate on one side only of a component subject to vibration testing a clamp association is provided between isolation elements. An abutment pressure to retain and present the component is generated between the isolation elements utilizing the clamp association and an appropriate displacement mechanism. The displacement mechanism is controlled by a controller in a control loop incorporating a sensor to determine operational characteristics of the arrangement and appropriate drivers for the displacement mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Stephen J Smith, Philip D Blavins, Andrew T Backler
  • Patent number: 8631704
    Abstract: The invention provides a fatigue exciter for wind turbine blades. Wind turbine blades require excitation at or near their natural frequency to induce bending moments that simulate in service loadings and must be easily controllable and with the minimum of unnecessary added mass or force. The invention provides a device and a method by which force controlled feedback is used for finding an optimal excitation frequency. This force could be provided e.g. by a digital signal generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventor: Stuart Guy
  • Patent number: 8601878
    Abstract: A system (1100) for fatigue testing wind turbine blades (1102) through forced or resonant excitation of the base (1104) of a blade (1102). The system (1100) includes a test stand (1112) and a restoring spring assembly (1120) mounted on the test stand (1112). The restoring spring assembly (1120) includes a primary spring element (1124) that extends outward from the test stand (1112) to a blade mounting plate (1130) configured to receive a base (1104) of blade (1102). During fatigue testing, a supported base (1104) of a blade (1102) may be pivotally mounted to the test stand (1112) via the restoring spring assembly (1120). The system (1100) may include an excitation input assembly (1140) that is interconnected with the blade mounting plate (1130) to selectively apply flapwise, edgewise, and/or pitch excitation forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Cotrell, Scott Hughes, Sandy Butterfield, Scott Lambert
  • Publication number: 20130312523
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a first joint unit and a second joint unit are disposed with space on a heat radiation substrate. A joint area of the second joint unit is larger than that of the first joint unit. An insulated substrate is disposed on the first joint unit and the second joint unit. A corner region of the insulated substrate contacts the first joint unit. A first sensor to measure an acceleration of vibration applied to the insulated substrate is disposed thereon. The first sensor is more adjacent to the first joint unit than the second joint unit. A response spectrum of the acceleration is calculated. An extension status of joint failure of the first joint unit is decided by comparing a frequency of a maximum peak of the response spectrum with a reference frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Inventors: Yousuke HISAKUNI, Takahiro OMORI, Kenji HIROHATA
  • Patent number: 8532939
    Abstract: A system is presented. The system includes a data acquisition system that generates time of arrival (TOA) data corresponding to a plurality of blades in a device, a central processing subsystem that determines features of each of the plurality of blades utilizing the TOA data, and evaluates the health of each of the plurality of blades based upon the determined features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Aninda Bhattacharya, Vinay Bhaskar Jammu, Vivek Venugopal Badami, Venkatesh Rajagopalan, Rahul Srinivas Prabhu, Ajay Kumar Behera, Nidhi Naithani, Mahalakshmi Shunumugam Balasubramaniam
  • Publication number: 20130213136
    Abstract: The invention provides a fatigue exciter for wind turbine blades. Wind turbine blades require excitation at or near their natural frequency to induce bending moments that simulate in service loadings and must be easily controllable and with the minimum of unnecessary added mass or force. The invention provides a device and a method by which force controlled feedback is used for finding an optimal excitation frequency. This force could be provided e.g. by a digital signal generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
    Inventor: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
  • Patent number: 8393216
    Abstract: The invention provides a fatigue exciter for wind turbine blades. Wind turbine blades require excitation at or near their natural frequency to induce bending moments that simulate in service loadings and must be easily controllable and with the minimum of unnecessary added mass or force. The invention provides a device and a method by which force controlled feedback is used for finding an optimal excitation frequency. This force could be provided e.g. by a digital signal generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventor: Stuart Guy
  • Publication number: 20130006542
    Abstract: Included are a testing step (S1) for determining the relation between the shear stress amplitude of a rolling contact metallic material and the number of loading by means of an ultrasonic torsional fatigue test, and a shear fatigue strength determining step (S2) for determining the shear fatigue strength ?lim, within the ultra long life regime from the relation between the shear stress amplitude and the number of loadings, which relation has been determined during the test step (S1), in accordance with a predetermined standard. It is a completely reversed torsional fatigue test, in which torsional vibrations, respective torsions in the positive rotational direction and reversed rotational direction of which are symmetrical relative to each other, are applied to a test piece (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Yukio Matsubara, Noriaki Sakanaka, Hitoshi Ishii
  • Publication number: 20120279305
    Abstract: The invention concerns a vibration test apparatus for testing various fastening elements, in particular bolt/nut connections, where a fastening element is fixed in the vibration test apparatus and subjected to lateral oscillating or vibrating actions via a carriage which is movably connected to a connecting rod, where the connecting rod is connected with a stroke regulator, where the eccentricity of the stroke regulator is adjustable during operation via a regulating mechanism. The new feature of the vibration test apparatus according to the invention is that the eccentricity of the stroke regulator via a regulating mechanism is stepless and arranged internally of a stroke regulator and at least includes a slide, where the slide is displaceable in relation to a connecting rod bearing via a control rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: Vibrationmaster Technology Center s.á.r.l.
    Inventor: Jesper Boesen Nielsen
  • Patent number: 8290718
    Abstract: The invention relates bridge structure safety evaluation technology by means of combining vibration measuring and structural model analysis techniques for bridge erosion evaluation and pre-warning monitoring applications. This technology can also be applied for long-term bridge structure monitoring and safety evaluation as well as judgment and evaluation of rail structure abnormality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Inventors: Wei-Feng Lee, Cheng-Hsing Chen, Chia-Feng Chang, Hsing-Tai Mei
  • Patent number: 8156808
    Abstract: A stiffness detector transmits acoustic waves to a paper sheet at a predetermined angle to excite Lamb waves. The stiffness detector receives leaky waves of the Lamb waves propagated through the paper sheet at different angles with respect to the paper sheet by a plurality of reception sensors. The stiffness detector is configured to specify a maximum leak angle at which a leak amount of the acoustic waves from the paper sheet becomes maximum based on outputs from the plurality of reception sensors in the reception module and to judge a degree of fatigue of the paper sheet based on the specified maximum leak angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Itsumi, Takahiro Yamamoto, Takahisa Nakano, Seiji Ikari, Junji Miura, Tsutomu Saito, Takanobu Nishimura
  • Patent number: 8090485
    Abstract: The Tail Load Monitoring System detects faulty low frequency (e.g. those in the range from 0.1 to 1 Hz) oscillatory conditions caused by Flight Control System malfunctions while the aircraft is in air by means of a continuous assessment of the estimated tail load behavior and data processing. Both estimation and data processing activities are provided by a dedicated architecture featuring a tail load estimation module, a band-pass filter and three independent paths that continuously monitor nuisance fault detection events avoidance, catastrophic events avoidance (addressing a limit load criterion), and structural damage avoidance (addressing fatigue life criteria).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Embraer S.A.
    Inventors: Erick Vile Grinits, Marco Antonio de Oliveira Alves Junior, Dagfinn Gangsaas, Roberto Garcia Negrao, Bianca Prazim Trotta, Fabiano Prieto Silva, Mauricio Martins de Almeida Filho, Marco Antonio Coccolin, Karina Sanches Garcia, Daniel Carmona de Campos, Cristina Minioli Saracho, Fernando Jose de Oliveira Moreira
  • Patent number: 8069011
    Abstract: A method for automatically creating a probability of detection (POD) curve of an entire network of transducers monitoring and detecting damage in a structure is based on the POD of each of the individual actuator-sensor paths. These individual path PODs may be generated in different ways, such as by experimentation or simulation. This technique makes it possible to create the POD curve of a structural health monitoring (SHM) system for the detection of damages in structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Acellent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bao Liu, Fu-Kuo Chang
  • Publication number: 20110271761
    Abstract: To measure the fatigue ageing of an electronic component in an electronic assembly subjected to mechanical excitations, a dynamic correspondence is established between kinematic measurements at certain points and mechanical stresses experienced at points that are critical as regards the reliability of the electronic assembly, which critical points may different from the measurement points. This correspondence is integrated into a monitoring device as a functionality that calculates the mechanical stresses directly as the value are being delivered by the kinematic sensors. The device also performs numerical processing of the mechanical stresses, thereby providing an indicator of the cumulative fatigue damage. The invention is such that the device can be incorporated into the electronic assembly, it being possible for this device to be autonomous both as regards processing the measurements and calculating the damage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventors: Marc Grieu, Gregor Massiot
  • Patent number: 8046177
    Abstract: Detection of damage in armor structures, using networks of piezoelectric transducers. In particular, piezoelectric transducers can be placed at various points on the armor structure, effectively creating a number of paths between pairs of transducers. Each of these paths can be queried by transmitting an ultrasonic stress wave from one transducer to the other, and analyzing changes in the stress wave. The signal from the received stress wave can be time gated to remove crosstalk, and the resulting time gated signal can be analyzed for characteristics of damage. For instance, if the time gated signal is sufficiently attenuated, it can be determined that the armor structure has sustained damage to at least that region traversed by this particular path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Acellent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bao Liu, Irene Li, Fu-Kuo Chang
  • Publication number: 20110192230
    Abstract: A jig device usable with a flat display panel which includes a frame including a base frame having an opening and a vertical frame which extends vertically along a perimeter of the base frame and a supporting frame coupled to the base frame within the frame, on which the flat display panel is disposed, wherein the supporting frame includes fixing portions provided at corners thereof to support respective corners of the flat display panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Jin Woo NAM, Byung Joo Paek, Dong Jun Kim
  • Patent number: 7966134
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods to use a measured driving-point response of a nonlinear material to determine one or more elastic properties of the material. The present invention takes advantage of the full information represented by the transient component, the steady-state component, the anharmonic components, and the nonlinear response components of a measured driving-point response of a real nonlinear material, without limitation in the use of large-amplitude forces. The elastic properties are determined by forming and solving a time-domain system of linear equations representing a differential equation model of the driving-point motions of the material. Based on a single, short duration, large-amplitude driving point measurement, both linear and nonlinear properties can be determined; both large-amplitude and near-zero amplitude properties can be determined; and elastic-wave speed and elastic moduli and their variation with depth can be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Inventor: Peter Thomas German
  • Patent number: 7946175
    Abstract: A monitoring system includes a calibrated micro-electro-mechanical structure (MEMS) matrix in communication with a controller. The MEMS matrix includes MEMS elements of various sizes which create a continuum of vibration-stress-resistant elements. The MEMS elements will flex in response to flexing of a printed circuit board due to mechanical vibration until failure occurs. The controller monitors the continuity of the MEMS matrix to determine which elements of the MEMS matrix have failed to accurately determine the accumulated vibration stress experienced by the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Ted R. Schnetker, Robert C. Cooney
  • Patent number: 7930259
    Abstract: A nondestructive inspection apparatus includes a sensor unit for detecting vibrations transmitted through a test object from a vibration generator and a signal input unit for extracting a target signal from an electric signal outputted from the sensor unit. An amount of characteristics extracting unit is also included for extracting multiple frequency components from the test signal as an amount of characteristics. Further, a decision unit has a competitive learning neural network for determining whether the amount of the characteristics belongs to a category, wherein the competitive learning neural network has been trained by using training samples belong to the category representing an internal state of the test object, wherein distributions of membership degrees of the training samples are set in the decision unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihito Hashimoto, Hidekazu Himezawa
  • Patent number: 7895003
    Abstract: Vibration protection in a compressor system with a variable speed compressor may include operating a variable speed compressor at a plurality of frequencies, measuring a plurality of vibration values associated with the plurality of frequencies, determining a frequency characteristic of the compressor system based on the plurality of vibration values, and identifying prohibited compressor frequencies based on the frequency characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jean-Luc M. Caillat
  • Patent number: 7877229
    Abstract: A method and computer system for executing a program for calculating Load Enhancement Factor that includes the steps of obtaining coupon test data and storing the coupon test data on an information storage device. Analyzing the coupon test data for fit with a Weibull distribution and other analysis criteria and performing either a Modified Joint Weibull analysis or a Weibull Regression analysis or both a Modified Joint Weibull analysis and a Weibull Regression analysis with an accommodation in the analysis for scatter within the coupon testing data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James W. Giancaspro, Winson Taam
  • Patent number: 7861591
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a device for ultrasonic inspection of a weld seam of a longitudinally welded pipe for longitudinal defects with an inspection unit, which is relatively displaceable on a pipe surface on at least one side of the weld seam. The device also has two inspection heads in a tandem and spatially-variable arrangement, such that they can be positioned relative to the pipe surface to correspond to an intended acoustic irradiation angle independent of the diameter of the pipe. According to the invention, one inspection head acts as a transmitter and the other inspection head acts as a receiver. The device also has a pick-up connected to each of the two inspection heads, a coupling means connection connected to each pick-up, and a replaceable connecting element connected each pick-up via the coupling means connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Mannesmann Fuchs Rohr GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Joachim Rath, Rainer Lücke, Alfred Graff
  • Patent number: 7822560
    Abstract: Techniques and apparatuses for wind turbine component fatigue load measurement and assessment are disclosed. In one embodiment the component is a tower, fore-aft and side-to-side signals from a two-axis accelerometer attached to a bedplate of a wind turbine are used to measure tower fatigue loads. A yaw axis azimuth position signal can also be used for tower fatigue load measurement and assessment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: David Lawrence LeMieux
  • Publication number: 20100263448
    Abstract: An apparatus (100) for fatigue testing test articles (104) including wind turbine blades. The apparatus (100) includes a test stand (110) that rigidly supports an end (106) of the test article (104). An actuator assembly (120) is attached to the test article (104) and is adapted for substantially concurrently imparting first and second forcing functions in first and second directions on the test article (104), with the first and second directions being perpendicular to a longitudinal axis. A controller (130) transmits first and second sets of displacement signals (160, 164) to the actuator assembly (120) at two resonant frequencies of the test system (104). The displacement signals (160, 164) initiate the actuator assembly (120) to impart the forcing loads to concurrently oscillate the test article (104) in the first and second directions. With turbine blades, the blades (104) are resonant tested concurrently for fatigue in the flapwise and edgewise directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.
    Inventors: Scott Hughes, Walter Musial, Darris White
  • Patent number: 7801700
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that generates a simulated vibration pattern in a computer subsystem. During operation, a vibration pattern is monitored at a location in the computer subsystem, wherein the vibration pattern is monitored while the computer subsystem is incorporated into the computer system and the computer system is operating. Then, the vibrations of the computer subsystem are mimicked by generating the simulated vibration pattern at the same location in the computer subsystem based on the monitored vibration pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Oracle America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenny C. Gross, Anton A. Bougaev, Aleksey M. Urmanov
  • Patent number: 7715991
    Abstract: A method for estimating an amount of damages sustained by a component operating in an energy system by monitoring the component is provided. The method includes generating a transfer function that is dependent upon an input of at least one operating condition of the component and an output of a crack-initiation time and/or a crack propagation for at least one critical region. The method further includes receiving data from at least one sensor coupled to the component, wherein the data relates to the at least one operating condition of the component, and inputting the received data from the at least one sensor into the transfer function to calculate at least one of the crack-initiation time and the crack propagation for the at least one critical region. The method also includes recording at least one of the crack-initiation time and the crack propagation on a memory storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Yogesh Kesrinath Potdar, David Ernest Welch, David Wing Chau
  • Patent number: 7698942
    Abstract: A Stall Warning System (SWS) utilizing the detection and analysis of stress waves, (i.e., ultrasound) emitted by combustion and/or turbulent flow processes of an apparatus, such as a turbine engine, for example. Upon detection of an impending stall condition, the SWS can inform the operator, inform another electronic device (computer, etc.) and/or latch the event for review by maintenance personnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Curtiss-Wright Flow Control Corporation
    Inventor: David B Board
  • Patent number: 7640809
    Abstract: A spot welding inspecting apparatus is provided with: a gun chip; a signal transmitting part; an ultrasonic sensor; an inner cylinder; a through hole; a partitioning cylinder; a first flow path; a second flow path; and a third flow path. The inner cylinder is inserted to an outer cylinder of spot welding gun and holds the ultrasonic sensor. The through hole is provided on the inner cylinder. The partitioning cylinder surrounds the through hole and is inserted into a gap between the ultrasonic sensor and the outer cylinder. The first flow path is formed between the inner cylinder and the partitioning cylinder by passing the through hole from an inner portion of the inner cylinder. The second flow path is formed at the gun chip to be circulated around a front end of the partitioning cylinder. The third flow path is formed between the outer cylinder and the partitioning cylinder. A cooling agent flows in an order of the first flow path, the second flow path and the third flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kaoru Shibata, Noriaki Shigematsu, Mitsutaka Igaue, Noriko Kurimoto
  • Publication number: 20090100933
    Abstract: A vibration dosimeter (2) adapted to monitor whole-body vibration comprising a sensor (6) arranged to continuously measure magnitude of mechanical vibrations received by a person being monitored, means for sampling the vibration measurements (20) produced by the sensor (6), and a processor (10) configured to analyse the vibration measurements and to record an analysis thereof to a data store internal to the dosimeter (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventors: Kevin Michael Brunson, Robin Davies, David Oury King, Russell Guy Taylor, Richard John Weeks
  • Publication number: 20080156096
    Abstract: An NDI system includes an ultrasonic transducer and an electronic device having an indicator, such as a light source. The electronic device energizes the transducer, receives sinusoidal signals from the transducer, determines impedance-plane coordinates corresponding to quadrature-phase separated components of the sinusoidal signals, and automatically activates the indicator if impedance-plane coordinates exceed a preset threshold. The system may be used in methods of inspecting layered structures such as composite aircraft components and repair patches applied to such structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Kollgaard, Nancy L. Wood
  • Publication number: 20070283759
    Abstract: A monitoring system includes a calibrated micro-electro-mechanical structure (MEMS) matrix in communication with a controller. The MEMS matrix includes MEMS elements of various sizes which create a continuum of vibration-stress-resistant elements. The MEMS elements will flex in response to flexing of a printed circuit board due to mechanical vibration until failure occurs. The controller monitors the continuity of the MEMS matrix to determine which elements of the MEMS matrix have failed to accurately determine the accumulated vibration stress experienced by the printed circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Inventors: Ted R. Schnetker, Robert C. Cooney
  • Patent number: 7281434
    Abstract: A device for monitoring the service life of a machine-technical installation includes a sensor module and at least a measuring sensor for detecting stresses and expansions from a structural component of the machine-technical installation, a microcontroller, an antenna arrangement and a current source; the sensor module being in bi-directional connection with a data processing unit and having an antenna arrangement integrated therein, the antenna arrangement including a low-frequency antenna by means of which the sensor module is turned on and off and a high-frequency antenna for sending and receiving high frequency signals and wherein the sensor module can transition from an operating mode into a stand-by mode for energy efficiency and is reactivated through a signal from a detector element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Thiele GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Karl Nienhaus