Circular Piezoelectric Sensor Array for Structural Damage Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for detecting damage, such as cracks in structures like aircraft, are inefficient and costly due to the need for disassembly and ultrasonic testing, and existing in situ techniques using piezoelectric sensors do not provide comprehensive detection around fastener holes.

Innovation Solution

A system and method utilizing a circular arrangement of piezoelectric sensing elements, including an annular-shaped element, to generate and sense waves through structures, allowing for comprehensive damage detection without disassembly, with a controller to switch between modes for enhanced detection capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional ultrasonic testing methods are used to detect damage, then detection capability is achieved, but disassembly time and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedamage detection capabilityVSAvoiddisassembly and reassembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Piezoelectric sensing elements are embedded in the structure during manufacturing, positioned at strategic locations around fastener holes before the structure is put into service. This preliminary placement eliminates the need for later disassembly to install sensors, allowing immediate in-situ damage detection while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical ultrasonic testing equipment requiring disassembly with piezoelectric sensors that generate and detect elastic waves through the structure's surface. This substitution enables non-intrusive detection by converting mechanical wave generation into an electrical field-based system that operates through embedded elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If rectangular piezoelectric element arrangement is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but detection coverage around holes is inadequate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor arrangement simplicityVSAvoiddetection coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from rectangular linear arrays to circular or annular arrangements of piezoelectric elements around fastener holes. This curved geometry provides uniform 360-degree coverage of the hole perimeter, capturing cracks emanating from any direction while maintaining geometric simplicity and symmetry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention moves from one-dimensional linear sensor arrays to two-dimensional circular patterns distributed around the hole circumference. This dimensional transition enables omnidirectional detection coverage, capturing damage signals from all angular directions simultaneously while preserving arrangement simplicity through rotational symmetry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 efficient and comprehensive detection of damage, particularly around fastener holes, reducing time and cost by using a circular arrangement of piezoelectric sensors to generate and sense waves, improving detection accuracy and coverage.

Implementation Method 1

One of the plurality of first piezoelectric sensing elements or the annular-shaped second piezoelectric sensing element generates a wave through the structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

The other of the plurality of first piezoelectric sensing elements or the annular-shaped second piezoelectric sensing element senses the wave after passing through the structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Converse Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS9470660B2Piezoelectric sensor configuration for detecting damage in a structure

Publication Date: 2016.10.18 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

Described herein is an apparatus for detecting damage in a structure that includes a plurality of first piezoelectric sensing elements arranged in a generally circular shape. The apparatus also includes an annular-shaped second piezoelectric sensing element positioned adjacent the plurality of first piezoelectric sensing elements. One of the plurality of first piezoelectric sensing elements or the annular-shaped second piezoelectric sensing element generates a wave through the structure and other of the plurality of first piezoelectric sensing elements or the annular-shaped second piezoelectric sensing element senses the wave after passing through the structure.