Acoustic Exciter Contact Elements for Bridge Deck Inspection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for evaluating and rehabilitating bridge decks are inefficient and costly due to the challenges of detecting subsurface cracking and delamination, particularly at high speeds, as they require labor-intensive and subjective manual processes or slow-moving automated techniques that necessitate traffic control.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing acoustic exciters attached via compliant materials to trigger acoustic excitation of bridge deck substrates, allowing for rapid and continuous inspection at highway speeds by using a wheel with circumferential bands of acoustic exciters and sensors to capture and analyze acoustic responses, thereby identifying delaminations and other defects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual inspection methods are used to detect subsurface cracking and delamination, then measurement precision can be improved, but productivity deteriorates due to labor-intensive processes and traffic control requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidinspection speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection methods with an automated acoustic excitation system that uses contact elements to generate acoustic waves in the substrate. Sensors detect the acoustic responses to identify subsurface defects, eliminating the need for labor-intensive manual processes and traffic control while maintaining detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If automated inspection techniques move at high speeds, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to difficulty in detecting subsurface defects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinspection speedVSAvoiddetection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs acoustic vibration through contact elements that excite the substrate to generate acoustic waves. Sensors detect the acoustic responses at high speeds, enabling both rapid inspection and accurate detection of subsurface defects through the characteristic vibration patterns produced by defects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

3Manufacturing precision

If contact elements are rigidly attached to the acoustic exciter, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability deteriorates due to inability to accommodate surface irregularities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment accuracyVSAvoidsurface compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a compliant material layer between the contact element and the acoustic exciter body. This flexible layer allows the contact element to conform to surface irregularities while maintaining precise attachment, enabling the system to adapt to various substrate conditions without sacrificing manufacturing accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Measurement precision

If multiple contact elements are used to improve detection coverage, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection coverageVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the inspection system into multiple contact elements that can be distributed around the acoustic exciter. This segmentation allows comprehensive coverage of the substrate surface while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, as each contact element operates independently to detect different areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables rapid and cost-effective detection of delaminations and other defects in bridge decks at high speeds without the need for traffic control, improving the efficiency and accuracy of infrastructure assessments.

Implementation Method 1

a contact element configured for triggering the acoustic excitation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic excitation: Acoustics

Implementation Method 2

a sensor configured to receive an acoustic response of the acoustic excitation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic detection: Acoustics

Data Source

PatentUS12000796B2Contact elements for acoustic excitation

Publication Date: 2024.06.04 BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIV

AI summary

A system includes: an acoustic exciter, a compliant material applied to the acoustic exciter to configure the acoustic exciter for triggering acoustic excitation of at least part of a substrate; a sensor configured to receive an acoustic response of the acoustic excitation; and circuitry configured to determine at least one characteristic of the substrate using the acoustic response.