Search Patents
  • CONTINUOUS FLOW STRUCTURAL HEALTH MONITORING SYSTEM AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20120232807
    Abstract: A continuous flow structural health monitoring system for detecting a crack in a component or structure comprises a pressure source, a fluidic circuit and a measurement system. The pressure source supplies fluid at a regulated pressure relative to ambient pressure. The fluidic circuit couples at one end to the pressure source and opens at an opposite end to ambient pressure. The pressure source produces a substantially constant and continuous flow of fluid through the fluidic circuit. The fluidic circuit has a first passage having a first surface portion of the component or structure. The measurement system monitors perturbations in the flow of fluid through the first passage to provide an indication of structural health of the component or structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: Structural Monitoring Systems Ltd.
    Inventor: Martin Doyle
  • Continuous flow structural health monitoring system and method
    Patent number: 9031796
    Abstract: A continuous flow structural health monitoring system for detecting a crack in a component or structure comprises a pressure source, a fluidic circuit and a measurement system. The pressure source supplies fluid at a regulated pressure relative to ambient pressure. The fluidic circuit couples at one end to the pressure source and opens at an opposite end to ambient pressure. The pressure source produces a substantially constant and continuous flow of fluid through the fluidic circuit. The fluidic circuit has a first passage having a first surface portion of the component or structure. The measurement system monitors perturbations in the flow of fluid through the first passage to provide an indication of structural health of the component or structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Structural Monitoring Systems Ltd.
    Inventor: Martin Doyle
  • Differential comparative pressure monitoring system
    Patent number: 8353197
    Abstract: A differential comparative pressure monitoring system (10) for monitoring the structural integrity of a structure (30) has a pressure source (12); a first fluidic circuit (14), and a reference fluidic circuit (16) which are connected in parallel to the pressure source (12); and a monitoring device (18). The first and reference fluidic circuits (14) and (16) have substantially matched characteristics. The first circuit (14) has a sensor element (20) which is sealed to a surface (28) on the structure (30). The reference circuit (16) is in fluidic isolation from the surface (28) of the structure (30). The monitoring device (18) takes simultaneous measurements of a common fluidic characteristic of the circuits (14) and (16), and produces a signal indicative the integrity of the structure based on a difference between the simultaneously measured common characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Structural Monitoring Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Nigel Laxton, Henry Kroker
  • Sensing system for monitoring the integrity of a structure
    Patent number: 10866156
    Abstract: A sensing system (10) for monitoring the integrity of a structure has first and second channels (12 and 14) arranged for sealing onto a surface (16) of the structure (18) to form respective spaced apart first and second galleries (20 and 22). A fluid (F1) is in the first gallery (20) and a fluid (F2) is in the second gallery (22). A measurement system (24) measures for a change in a pressure independent physical characteristic: a) in the first gallery (20); b) in the second gallery (22); c) between the first gallery (20) and the second gallery (22); or d) a combination of two or more of a), b) and c) where the change is dependent on a mass flow of fluid from one of, or between, the sealed galleries due to a crack in the structure. The pressure independent physical characteristic of the fluid can be the conductivity of the fluid or the optical properties of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: STRUCTURAL MONITORING SYSTEMS LTD
    Inventors: Henry Abe Kroker, Trevor Blake Lynch-Staunton
  • METHOD FOR MONITORING FOR CRACKING IN A COMPONANT
    Publication number: 20090078357
    Abstract: A method of monitoring cracking in a component comprises forming a component with a simultaneously formed elongate hole that is internal to the component. A connector having a throughway is attached to the component such that the throughway is in fluid communication with the elongate hole. The elongate hole is connected to a pressure measurement instrument via the connector. A monitoring system then monitors the elongate hole for a change in pressure level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: STRUCTURAL MONITORING SYSTEMS LTD
    Inventor: Nigel Laxton
  • Self-monitoring method and apparatus for condition monitoring of a structure
    Patent number: 6720882
    Abstract: A system for monitoring a structure includes cavities on an outer surface and a fluid source at substantially constant pressure coupled to the cavities through high fluid impedances to create pressure differentials therebetween. A telemetry system has pressure differential switches across each of the high impedances for monitoring differential pressure changes across the impedances and providing a signal indicative of the location of the cavity associated with the high impedance across which the change is monitored. A fluid capacitance is associated with each cavity and the corresponding impedances to facilitate a transient fluid flow through the impedances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Structural Monitoring Systems Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenneth John Davey
  • Method for Detecting Separation in a Structure
    Publication number: 20090113994
    Abstract: A method for detecting separation in a structure that comprises at least two portions or layers affixed together comprises forming a cavity into the structure that passes through an interface formed between the two portions and plumbing the cavity to a monitoring system. A pressure differential is established between the cavity and a reference pressure to which the structure is exposed. A monitoring system monitors for a change in the pressure state of the cavity. Changes in the pressure state are indicative of a separation between the portions or layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: Structural Monitoring systems Ltd
    Inventors: Lawrence John Walker, Nigel Laxton
  • Method for detecting separation in a structure
    Patent number: 8166804
    Abstract: A method for detecting separation in a structure that comprises at least two portions or layers affixed together comprises forming a cavity into the structure that passes through an interface formed between the two portions and plumbing the cavity to a monitoring system. A pressure differential is established between the cavity and a reference pressure to which the structure is exposed. A monitoring system monitors for a change in the pressure state of the cavity. Changes in the pressure state are indicative of a separation between the portions or layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Structural Monitoring Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Lawrence John Walker, Nigel Laxton
  • System and method for the detection and propagation measurement of flaws in a component or structure
    Patent number: 6715365
    Abstract: A system 10 for continuously monitoring the integrity of a structure 14 includes a sensor pad 16 having a surface 18. The surface 18 is provided with a set of first channels 22 and interspersed second channels 24. Surface 18 is sealed onto the surface 12 of structure 14 so that the channels 22, 24 together with surface 12 form respective sets of first and second cavities 26 and 28. The first cavities 26 are placed in fluid communication with a vacuum source 101 via a third channel 30. The second cavities 28 are vented to the atmosphere via a fourth channel 34, through hole 35, and conduit 36. A high impedance 102 is placed in series between the vacuum source 101 and the first cavities 26. A differential pressure transducer 103 is connected across the high impedance 102 and monitors for change in vacuum condition between the vacuum source 101 and the vacuum in the cavities 26.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Structural Monitoring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenneth John Davey
  • Method and apparatus for monitoring the integrity of components and structures
    Patent number: 7500383
    Abstract: A method for monitoring the integrity of a permeable structure that is disposed in an environment containing a fluid at ambient pressure is provided. At least one cavity is formed in or on the permeable structure. A source of first fluid is provided at a first pressure greater than the ambient pressure. The cavity is coupled to the source through a high-fluid-flow impedance to establish a flow of the first fluid through the permeable structure via the cavity. A rate of flow of the first fluid through the permeable structure is allowed to stabilize to a steady-state rate. A change in the steady-state flow rate of the first fluid through the permeable structure is monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Structural Monitoring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenneth John Davey
  • Comparative pressure monitoring instrument
    Patent number: 8508375
    Abstract: A comparative pressure monitoring instrument (10) houses a switch (14) having first and second ports (18) and (20), and a high flow impedance 16. The ports (18) and (20) are in fluidal communication with a first pressure source (72) and a second pressure source (82) respectively. The impedance (16) is coupled (i.e. shunted) across the switch ports (18) and (20) and the first and second pressure sources (72, 82). The switch (14) switches between a first state characterised by a pressure differential across the impedance (16) being less than a preset level and a second state characterised by the pressure differential across the impedance (16) being equal to or greater than the preset difference. Any difference in pressure between the sources (72) and (82) will cause an air/gas flow through the impedance (16) and thus a pressure drop across the impedance (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Structural Monitoring Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Nigel Laxton, Henry Kroker
  • Sensor for detecting surface cracks in an article
    Patent number: 8196453
    Abstract: A laminated sensor comprises a base stratum and a terminal stratum. The base stratum has a first surface that is affixed to a surface of a structure to be monitored. The terminal stratum is affixed to the opposite second surface of the base stratum. A connector is attached to the terminal stratum. The base stratum is provided with first and second channels and that are cut through the thickness of the base stratum. The terminal stratum is provided with holes that extend through the thickness of the terminal stratum. A first pair of the holes are positioned to register with the first channel, while a second pair of the holes are positioned to register with the second channel. A first conduit is formed by the first channel and the holes; while a second conduit is formed by the second channel and the holes. The connector connects with tubes to provide fluid communication between the conduits and a differential pressure monitoring system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Structural Monitoring Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Lawrence John Walker, Nigel Laxton, Andrew Petrow, Duncan Barton, Peter Hughes
  • Apparatus and method for condition monitoring of a component or structure
    Patent number: 8225642
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) monitors the condition of a component (12) by measuring the conductivity to air flow of a sealed cavity (14) formed on the surface of the component (12). The apparatus (10) comprises an unregulated pressure source (16) that is coupled to the cavity (14) via a fluid flow restriction (17). A measurement system (19) provides a measurement of, or related to, the volumetric air flow through the restriction (17), and calculates a conductivity index CI to air flow of the cavity in accordance with the equation CI=flow/pressure difference. In this equation “flow” is the volumetric flow of air through the flow restriction and “pressure difference” is the difference in pressure across the cavity with reference to atmospheric or ambient pressure. In the event that a crack traverses the cavity and provides a flow path to the atmosphere, the conductivity index CI will be a non-zero value. The higher the conductivity index the larger the crack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Structural Monitoring Systems Ltd.
    Inventor: Jonathan Fievez
  • Sensor for Detecting Surface Cracks in an Article
    Publication number: 20100058838
    Abstract: A laminated sensor comprises a base stratum and a terminal stratum. The base stratum has a first surface that is affixed to a surface of a structure to be monitored. The terminal stratum is affixed to the opposite second surface of the base stratum. A connector is attached to the terminal stratum. The base stratum is provided with first and second channels and that are cut through the thickness of the base stratum. The terminal stratum is provided with holes that extend through the thickness of the terminal stratum. A first pair of the holes are positioned to register with the first channel, while a second pair of the holes are positioned to register with the second channel. A first conduit is formed by the first channel and the holes; while a second conduit is formed by the second channel and the holes. The connector connects with tubes to provide fluid communication between the conduits and a differential pressure monitoring system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: Structural Monitoring Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Lawrence John Walker, Nigel Laxton, Andrew Petrow, Duncan Barton, Peter Hughes
  • Apparatus for condition monitoring of the integrity of fasteners and fastened joints
    Patent number: 6539776
    Abstract: Apparatus 10 for condition monitoring the integrity of a rivet 12 joint holding together sheets 14 and 16 of a structure 18 includes a substantially fluid impervious pad 20 for covering the heads of the rivets 12 and an adjacent surface 24 of the structure 18. The pad 20 has a first surface 26 for placement over the rivets 12 and the surface 24. An inner portion of the surface 26 is formed or otherwise configured to define a fluid flow region 28 between the pad 20 and the rivets 12/surface 24 across which fluid can flow. The region 28 is coupled to a constant vacuum source 30 via a conduit 32 and a series coupled high fluid flow impedance 34. A transducer 38 and display 44 coupled in parallel across the impedance 34 provides an indication of change in differential pressure across the high impedance which in turn provides an indication of the presence or development of a flaw in the rivets joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Structural Monitoring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenneth John Davey
  • SENSOR FOR DETECTING SURFACE CRACKS IN A COMPONENT OR STRUCTURE
    Publication number: 20100005862
    Abstract: A sensor for detecting surface cracks in a component or structure. A preferred embodiment of the device comprises a flat body portion with a central hole through which a main structural bolt passes. The body portion has a throughway providing fluid communication between an exterior port and a substantially hermetically-sealed area on the structural surface being monitored. A crack which develops in the monitored area surrounding the bolt hole will cause venting of the hermetically-sealed area, in turn causing a change in fluid pressure that can be detected and/or measured to warn of the presence of the crack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: Structural Monitoring Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenneth Davey, Nigel Laxton
  • Sensor for detecting surface cracks in a component or structure
    Patent number: 8316696
    Abstract: A sensor for detecting surface cracks in a component or structure. A preferred embodiment of the device comprises a flat body portion with a central hole through which a main structural bolt passes. The body portion has a throughway providing fluid communication between an exterior port and a substantially hermetically-sealed area on the structural surface being monitored. A crack which develops in the monitored area surrounding the bolt hole will cause venting of the hermetically-sealed area, in turn causing a change in fluid pressure that can be detected and/or measured to warn of the presence of the crack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Structural Monitoring Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenneth Davey, Nigel Laxton
  • Method and a system for monitoring structural changes of a fiber web
    Patent number: 7942057
    Abstract: A method for monitoring the structural state of a fiber web (1) that is being processed by a fiber web processing machine comprising a fiber web processing station (2) is described. The method comprises the steps of arranging a generator (5) and a detector (6) of a generator-detector unit (4) on opposite sides of the traveling fiber web (1) downstream of the fiber web processing station; bringing the generator to emit an ultrasonic wave; bringing the detector to receive the ultrasonic wave; sending a signal representing the received ultrasonic wave to a control unit (10); and, in the control unit, analyzing the signal and extracting a value from the signal representing a measure of the received ultrasonic wave. A system for monitoring the structural state of a fiber web is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Stora Enso AB
    Inventors: Thorulf Pettersson, Jan Lif, Magnus Björklund, Susanne Lindh
  • Method for detecting impact damage in a structure
    Patent number: 7942032
    Abstract: A method of detecting impact damage of a structure having a first surface exposed to potential impacts from an object comprises providing a sensor having a body portion that has a surface provided with an elongated channel. The sensor is fixed to a second surface of the structure such that a conduit is formed by the channel and the surface. The surface is on an opposite side of the structure to the first surface. A pressure differential is established between the conduit and a reference pressure adjacent the conduit. Monitoring is conducted for detecting any change in the differential pressure that may be indicative of a fracture or crack propagating in the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Structural Monitoring Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Lawrence John Walker, Nigel Laxton
  • Method for Detecting Impact Damage in a Structure
    Publication number: 20090173139
    Abstract: A method of detecting impact damage of a structure having a first surface exposed to potential impacts from an object comprises providing a sensor having a body portion that has a surface provided with an elongated channel. The sensor is fixed to a second surface of the structure such that a conduit is formed by the channel and the surface. The surface is on an opposite side of the structure to the first surface. A pressure differential is established between the conduit and a reference pressure adjacent the conduit. Monitoring is conducted for detecting any change in the differential pressure that may be indicative of a fracture or crack propagating in the second surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: Structural Monitoring Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Lawrence John Walker, Nigel Laxton
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