Portable Electrical Crack Detection System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for detecting cracks or defects in materials, such as X-ray scanning, are often expensive, bulky, and not portable, making them unsuitable for field use and repetitive testing.
Innovation Solution
A measurement system comprising control electronics, an electrical signal source, and a plurality of measurement system electrical contacts that can repeatably connect to selected locations on a material, determining the presence of cracks or defects by measuring voltage changes, offering a more portable and cost-effective alternative.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If X-ray scanning is used to detect cracks or defects in materials, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex X-ray scanning system with a simpler electrical measurement system. Instead of using electromagnetic radiation and imaging equipment, the invention uses electrical signals applied through contacts to detect cracks by measuring changes in electrical properties, thereby achieving crack detection with significantly reduced device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an electrical model or representation of the material's internal structure by measuring electrical properties. By copying the detection function through electrical measurements rather than direct imaging, the system achieves crack detection capability with simpler equipment
2Measurement precision
If X-ray CT scanning is used to detect cracks or defects in materials, then detection accuracy is improved, but portability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the heavy X-ray CT scanning equipment with a lightweight electrical measurement system. By substituting the complex imaging mechanism with simple electrical contacts and measurement circuitry, the system achieves portability while maintaining crack detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential detection function from the complex X-ray system. By taking out just the crack detection capability and implementing it through electrical measurements, the system eliminates unnecessary heavy equipment while preserving the core detection functionality
3Measurement precision
If X-ray scanning is used to detect cracks or defects in materials, then detection accuracy is improved, but measurement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the time-consuming X-ray scanning process with rapid electrical measurements. By substituting the slow imaging process with quick electrical property measurements through contacts, the system achieves crack detection with significantly reduced measurement time
4Reliability
If traditional crack detection methods are used, then detection capability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses simple, inexpensive electrical contacts and measurement circuitry instead of expensive X-ray equipment. By employing cheap electrical measurement components that can be easily manufactured or replaced, the system achieves crack detection capability with significantly reduced cost
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 provides accurate and repeatable detection of cracks or defects in materials, improving portability and reducing costs compared to traditional X-ray methods while maintaining sufficient accuracy for field use.
Implementation Method 1
determine a measured voltage in response to the electrical signal using a measurement electrical contact from the plurality of measurement system electrical contacts
Data Source
AI summary
A measurement system may include control electronics; an electrical signal source; a plurality of measurement system electrical contacts; at least one feature for repeatably electrically connecting the plurality of measurement system electrical contacts to selected locations of a tested material. The control electronics may be configured to cause the electrical signal source to output an electrical signal; determine a measured voltage in response to the electrical signal using a measurement electrical contact from the plurality of measurement system electrical contacts. The measurement electrical contact is electrically coupled to the tested material. The control electronics also may be configured to determine whether the tested material includes a crack or other defect based on the measured voltage.