Acoustic Path Model for Structural Damage Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing acoustic emission monitoring systems for structural integrity face errors due to assumptions of uniform sound speed and single acoustic propagation modes in homogeneous structures, which are not accurate for inhomogeneous materials, leading to incorrect damage location.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that build a model of acoustic paths by inducing emissions at multiple positions and using sensors to detect variations, accounting for inhomogeneities and different propagation modes, allowing for more accurate triangulation and damage location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If acoustic emission monitoring is performed using uniform sound speed assumption, then the system is simple to operate, but damage location precision deteriorates due to structural inhomogeneities
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary characterization of acoustic wave propagation paths through the structure before actual damage detection. By pre-mapping the acoustic paths and storing reference data about wave travel times and patterns, the system accounts for structural inhomogeneities in advance, enabling accurate real-time damage localization without complex real-time calculations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an acoustic path characterization model as an intermediary between the acoustic sensors and the damage location algorithm. This model serves as a mediator that translates raw acoustic emission data into accurate spatial information by compensating for the effects of structural inhomogeneities, material variations, and complex wave propagation paths
2Measurement precision
If acoustic paths are modeled with inhomogeneity considerations, then damage location precision is improved, but system complexity increases due to multiple propagation modes
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary characterization of acoustic wave propagation paths through the structure before actual damage detection. By pre-mapping the acoustic paths and storing reference data about wave travel times and patterns, the system accounts for structural inhomogeneities in advance, enabling accurate real-time damage localization without complex real-time calculations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual model or copy of the acoustic propagation environment through finite element analysis and experimental modal analysis. This digital twin of the acoustic paths allows the system to simulate and understand wave behavior in the specific structure without requiring physical modification or complex real-time processing
3Measurement precision
If multiple acoustic propagation modes are considered, then measurement accuracy is improved, but data processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary characterization of acoustic wave propagation paths through the structure before actual damage detection. By pre-mapping the acoustic paths and storing reference data about wave travel times and patterns, the system accounts for structural inhomogeneities in advance, enabling accurate real-time damage localization without complex real-time calculations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual model or copy of the acoustic propagation environment through finite element analysis and experimental modal analysis. This digital twin of the acoustic paths allows the system to simulate and understand wave behavior in the specific structure without requiring physical modification or complex real-time processing
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
This approach reduces errors in damage location by accounting for structural inhomogeneities and varying sound speeds, providing a more precise method for detecting and correlating structural damage with causal modes of operation.
Implementation Method 1
cracks produce bursts of acoustic energy as wideband ultrasonic emissions in the structure where the cracking is taking place, known as acoustic emissions
Implementation Method 2
the difference in the time of arrival of the bursts at the sensors is determined as □t values
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for detecting structural damage in a structure by detecting acoustic emissions from damage in a structure to obtain acoustic emission data, and processing the acoustic emission data in accordance with a model characterising acoustic paths. The model is built by inducing a plurality of types of acoustic emissions at each of a plurality of positions on a structure, the plurality of types of acoustic emissions corresponding to a respective plurality of types of structural damage. The acoustic emissions are detected using at least three sensors arranged on the structure, and the detected acoustic emissions are processed for each position to determine model data characterising effects on each type of acoustic emission from each position of acoustic paths between the positions and the sensors. The processed data is then stored as model data.