Portable IR Spectrometer Alignment for Composite Material Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing IR spectroscopy methods are inefficient for non-destructive testing of composite fiber-resin materials in operating environments, such as aircraft, due to difficulties in accessing materials and requiring careful sample preparation and orientation, especially for determining UV exposure effects.
Innovation Solution
A portable IR spectrometer with multivariate calibration capabilities is used to measure the physical properties of composite materials by aligning the IR light beam perpendicular to the fiber direction and employing calibration models based on thermal exposure standards, allowing for non-destructive determination of mechanical properties and UV exposure effects on composite materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional IR spectroscopy methods are used for non-destructive testing of composite materials in field conditions, then measurement capability is provided, but measurement precision deteriorates due to difficulties in accessing materials and requiring careful sample preparation and orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-aligning the IR light beam perpendicular to the fiber direction before measurement. This preliminary alignment ensures that the measurement captures accurate spectral data from the composite material surface, eliminating the need for complex real-time orientation adjustments during field measurements and thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a surfacing film as a mediator between the IR light source and the composite material. This surfacing film facilitates the IR beam interaction with the material surface, enabling accurate measurements on difficult-to-access materials in field conditions without requiring direct contact or complex sample preparation, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and measurement precision.
2Reliability
If multivariate calibration with broad band IR spectra is used, then robust calibration and prediction results are achieved, but device complexity increases due to requirements for careful sample preparation and proper sample fiber orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing the proper light beam alignment perpendicular to the fiber direction before the measurement process. This preliminary setup simplifies the operational complexity during field measurements while maintaining the reliability of multivariate calibration results, as the critical alignment is already established and does not require complex real-time adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by optimizing the IR light beam parameters (wavelength range, intensity, and angle) to work effectively with the composite material surface. By adjusting these parameters to match the material characteristics and measurement conditions, the system achieves robust calibration results without requiring complex operational procedures or extensive sample preparation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If FT-IR spectroscopy is used for UV effect measurement on resin poor and fiber rich surfaces, then measurement capability is provided, but the method becomes less adaptable to different material conditions compared to near IR methods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing an IR spectroscopy system that can measure both thermal and UV exposure effects on various composite material conditions (resin rich, resin poor, fiber rich, fiber poor). The system uses a broad band IR spectrum capability that adapts to different material surfaces and exposure conditions, providing universal measurement functionality across diverse material states while maintaining precision for UV effect detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the IR measurement parameters (wavelength selection, spectral range, and processing algorithms) based on the specific material condition and exposure type. This allows the system to optimize its measurement precision for UV effect detection while maintaining adaptability to different material conditions, resolving the contradiction between versatility and precision.
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 accurate, non-destructive assessment of composite material properties, including thermal and UV exposure, in field conditions, improving maintenance efficiency and accuracy for aircraft and other polymer materials.
Implementation Method 1
infrared (IR) radiation is readily absorbed by materials in association with relative motions (vibrations) of atoms such as carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen
Implementation Method 2
detecting infrared energy reflected from the composite material standards/surfacing films
Data Source
AI summary
A method of non-destructively determining the physical property of a material surface, the method including irradiating a surface with infrared energy over a spectrum of wavelengths; detecting said infrared energy reflected from said surface over said spectrum of wavelengths; performing multivariate calibration of said reflected infrared energy at a plurality of selected wavelengths including said spectrum of wavelengths; using results of said multivariate calibration to predict one or more physical properties of said model material; and, determining said one or more physical properties of said surface. Details are included for the case where uni-directional fiber CFRP materials are to be calibrated and predicted because special care must be taken for that material to insure the incident light from the spectrometer is at the proper orientation for calibration and for prediction of samples in question.