Prestressed Concrete Fracture Detection via Sensor Node Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional detection systems for prestressed concrete cables struggle to continuously monitor for fractures due to high power consumption and intermittent activation, which can lead to missed fracture detection events, as they require constant operation to detect the sudden and unexpected development of fractures and subsequent stable refitting sounds.
Innovation Solution
A detection system comprising sensor nodes in both operating and dormant states, where sensor nodes in the dormant state are switched to operating mode when detection signals exceed a threshold, allowing for efficient power management and timely fracture detection without missing critical events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensor nodes are kept in continuous operating state to detect fractures, then detection reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor nodes dynamically transition between dormant and operating states based on detection needs. The system activates sensor nodes from dormant state when fractures are detected, and returns them to dormant state after detection, creating a dynamic power management strategy that adapts to real-time monitoring requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor nodes perform periodic detection cycles, alternating between dormant periods (low power consumption) and active detection periods (high reliability). This periodic activation pattern allows the system to maintain fracture detection capability while significantly reducing overall power consumption compared to continuous operation.
2Loss of energy
If sensor nodes are switched to dormant state to reduce power consumption, then power efficiency is improved, but risk of missing fracture events increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains sensor nodes in dormant state as a preliminary low-power configuration, but has the capability to rapidly activate them when needed. This preliminary dormant state strategy prepares the system for power efficiency while maintaining the option to switch to active detection mode when fractures occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback mechanisms to monitor detection signals and automatically activates sensor nodes from dormant state when fracture indicators are detected. This feedback-driven activation ensures that the system responds to actual fracture events while minimizing unnecessary activations, thereby maintaining both power efficiency and detection reliability.
3Use of energy by moving object
If intermittent activation is used to save power, then power consumption is reduced, but detection coverage decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system is segmented into multiple sensor nodes that can be independently activated. Instead of continuously operating all sensor nodes, the system segments the detection task and activates only the necessary nodes when fractures are detected, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining adequate detection coverage through the distributed sensor network.
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
The system effectively reduces power consumption while ensuring timely detection of fractures in prestressed concrete cables by strategically switching sensor nodes between operating and dormant states, enabling continuous monitoring without missing critical fracture events.
Implementation Method 1
The sound generated when a fracture develops in the PC cable can be detected using an acoustic emission (AE) sensor
Data Source
AI summary
According to an embodiment, a detection system includes a plurality of sensor nodes and a sensor module. The plurality of sensor nodes detects sound waves generated from a prestressed concrete and converts the detected sound waves into detection signals. The sensor module is connected to the plurality of sensor nodes and receives the detection signals. The plurality of sensor nodes includes the sensor nodes in an operating state and the sensor nodes in a dormant state in which power consumption is held down as compared to the operating state. When magnitude of the detection signals is equal to or greater than a first threshold value, the sensor module switches the sensor node in the dormant state to the operating state.