Co-located Sensor Triangulation for Damage Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing location sensing methods, such as triangulation, face challenges in achieving precise in-plane location detection of remote objects or damage in mechanical structures with high accuracy, especially in close proximity scenarios, often resulting in 'halo effect' and 'blackout' regions and requiring larger sensor arrays.
Innovation Solution
A method using co-located sensors and actuators positioned concentrically around a central axis, generating excited signals and detecting reflected signals to calculate the location of events or damage by determining time differences, allowing for accurate angle and distance determination with fewer sensors, potentially replacing phased array methods and traditional triangulation arrays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional triangulation methods use sensors placed in at least three separate locales to determine location, then location detection capability is achieved, but the system requires larger sensor arrays and produces 'halo effect' and 'blackout' regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensors (at least three sensors) into a co-located arrangement where they share a common center point and are positioned at different angular locations around the same physical location. This merging approach allows the system to achieve triangulation capability without requiring sensors to be physically separated by large distances, thereby eliminating halo effect and blackout regions while maintaining location detection accuracy within approximately 2 degrees.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If sensors are positioned in close proximity co-locally, then halo effect and blackout regions are eliminated, but achieving precise in-plane location detection becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional one-dimensional or two-dimensional sensor placement to a multi-angular arrangement where sensors are positioned at different angular locations (e.g., 0°, 120°, 240°) around a common center. By adding the angular dimension to the sensor configuration, the system achieves precise in-plane location detection and eliminates harmful effects while maintaining co-located proximity, resolving the contradiction between close positioning and measurement precision.
3Measurement precision
If co-located sensors are used to determine location with approximately 2 degrees accuracy, then precise location detection is achieved, but the system requires sophisticated signal processing to determine time differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical or geometric signal processing methods with time-based measurement. By measuring the time of arrival (TOA) or time difference of arrival (TDOA) of signals at co-located sensors, the system simplifies the calculation of location parameters. The angular position and radial distance can be determined through straightforward trigonometric relationships based on time differences, reducing computational complexity while maintaining approximately 2 degrees accuracy.
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 enables location determination within approximately 2 degrees of accuracy, reduces the need for dense sensor arrays, and eliminates 'halo effect' and 'blackout' regions, applicable in various fields including aerospace, automotive, and civil applications, while maintaining flexibility in power and resolution requirements.
Implementation Method 1
generating an excited signal in the structure using the at least one actuator
Implementation Method 2
detecting a reflected signal from the event using each of three of more of the sensors
Implementation Method 3
determining respective durations of time for which the reflected signals travel from the event to each of the sensors
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A method and apparatus for detecting an event in a structure using a device having sensors (50) and at least one actuator (60), where the at least one actuator is encapsulated. When the at least one actuator (60) transmits a signal toward the event, the return signals are received at the sensors (50), after which the respective travel times of the signals are determined to determine an angle and a distance that defines the position of the event.