Magnetic Probe Inspection of Interwoven Wire Fabric Depth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for inspecting interwoven wire fabrics in aircraft composite materials are inadequate for nondestructively determining wire depth and overlap width, leading to potential damage from lightning strikes and increased economic costs due to insufficient conductive paths.
Innovation Solution
A nondestructive inspection system using a probe with a magnetic field generator and a display system to detect disturbances in the magnetic field caused by wires, allowing for accurate measurement of wire depth and overlap width without damaging the composite materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional inspection methods are used to determine wire depth and overlap width, then inspection can be performed, but the composite materials must be damaged or destroyed to access the wires for measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/physical destruction methods with electromagnetic induction technology. A probe generates a magnetic field that interacts with the conductive wires in the composite material, allowing depth and overlap measurements without damaging the material structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary between the inspection device and the wires. The magnetic field penetrates the composite material and interacts with the conductive wires, enabling indirect measurement of wire depth and overlap without physical contact or destruction.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If wire depth is increased to provide better protection, then lightning strike damage is reduced, but economic costs increase due to greater distance from conductive path to surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the magnetic field interaction to provide feedback information about wire depth and conductive path integrity. This allows optimization of wire placement depth to achieve adequate protection while minimizing economic costs by avoiding excessive depth that would increase damage risk to surface layers.
3Reliability
If overlap width in bonded repairs is increased to ensure sufficient energy transfer, then lightning strike protection is improved, but inspection difficulty increases due to doubled-up fabric complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces visual inspection or physical measurement methods with electromagnetic induction. The magnetic field penetrates the doubled-up fabric and detects the conductive wires beneath, allowing accurate measurement of overlap width without being hindered by the complexity of the layered structure.
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 precise, nondestructive inspection of interwoven wire fabric components, reducing the risk of damage from lightning strikes and minimizing economic costs by ensuring adequate conductive paths and sufficient overlap in repairs.
Implementation Method 1
A probe is present and is capable of generating a magnetic field for a plurality of wires in an interwoven wire fabric component such that disturbances of the magnetic field caused by the plurality of wires can be detected
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for nondestructive inspection of interwoven wire fabric components. The apparatus comprises a probe, a power source, and a display system. The probe is capable of creating a magnetic field for a plurality of wires in an interwoven wire fabric component such that disturbances of the magnetic field caused by the plurality of wires can be detected. The power is a source connected to the probe and is capable of sending an alternating current through the probe to generate the magnetic field for the wire. The display system is connected to the probe and is capable of displaying results from detecting the magnetic field and disturbances of the magnetic field.