Conductive Fabric Lattice for Real-Time Damage Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for assessing damage in unmanned systems are inadequate, as they lack real-time feedback and often require physical inspection after the system has returned, providing insufficient information for timely damage assessment.
Innovation Solution
A fabric or lattice integrated with conductive and insulating filaments, along with a continuity tester, that detects electrical discontinuities to identify damage and potentially determine the trajectory and type of projectile causing the damage, enabling real-time situational awareness and threat assessment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If physical inspection after return is used for damage assessment, then detailed examination is possible, but real-time damage assessment is not achieved and time is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive filaments are pre-integrated into the fabric structure before deployment on the unmanned system. This preliminary integration ensures that the damage detection network is already in place and operational, enabling immediate detection upon damage occurrence without requiring post-operation setup or inspection
Solution Approach 2:
The continuity tester provides real-time feedback by continuously monitoring electrical continuity through the conductive filaments. When damage occurs, the system immediately detects the change in electrical continuity and provides feedback about the damage location, enabling real-time assessment without waiting for physical inspection
2Loss of information
If sensors are added for real-time monitoring, then situational awareness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive filaments serve multiple functions: they provide structural reinforcement to the fabric and simultaneously act as sensing elements for damage detection. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated sensors, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while still providing real-time information
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing function is merged with the structural fabric by integrating conductive filaments directly into the material. This merging eliminates the need for separate sensor assemblies and reduces overall system complexity while enabling continuous monitoring of the unmanned system's structural integrity
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
Provides real-time feedback on the status and condition of unmanned systems, enhancing situational awareness and allowing for more accurate and timely damage assessment, reducing the need for post-operation inspections.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the layers includes conductive filaments and insulating filaments. The conductive filaments are spaced apart within each layer of the fabric
Implementation Method 2
The insulating filaments are distributed across the conductive filaments within each layer of the fabric. The insulating filaments adhere the conductive filaments together to form each layer of the fabric, yet separate the conductive filaments and electrically insulate the conductive filaments from each other
Data Source
AI summary
A fabric or lattice for locating a damage, including a puncture, includes one or more layers and a continuity tester. Each of the layers includes conductive filaments and insulating filaments. The conductive filaments are spaced apart within each layer of the fabric. The insulating filaments are distributed across the conductive filaments within each layer of the fabric. The insulating filaments adhere the conductive filaments together to form each layer of the fabric, yet separate the conductive filaments and electrically insulate the conductive filaments from each other. The continuity tester checks for an electrical continuity through each of the conductive filaments of each of the layers. The continuity tester identifies any one or ones of the conductive filaments exhibiting a loss of the electrical continuity due to the damage.