Composite Damage Detection via Nanoparticle Displacement Tracking

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current structural health monitoring systems are ineffective in detecting damage types such as fiber breakage, matrix cracking, and fiber-matrix delamination in composite components like carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRPs) used in vehicles, as these damages are not readily visible and existing methods like radiographic and ultrasonic inspections fail to accurately identify them.

Innovation Solution

A structural health monitoring system that uses digital image correlation (DIC) to determine damage in composite components by identifying component identification information, obtaining sensor data indicating the position of nanoparticles, and comparing it to reference entries in a database to calculate a damage value based on nanoparticle displacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If radiographic and ultrasonic inspections are used to detect damage in composite components, then the inspection capability is improved, but the measurement precision for detecting fiber breakage, matrix cracking, and fiber-matrix delamination remains insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedamage detection capabilityVSAvoiddamage type identification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the damage detection process into multiple measurement modes (first measurement mode for initial damage detection, second measurement mode for detailed characterization). Each mode uses specific sensor arrangements and evaluation methods tailored to detect different damage types, thereby improving both reliability and precision of damage identification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes measurement parameters by using different sensor types (acceleration sensors, displacement sensors, strain sensors) and different measurement modes (frequency response functions, impedance changes, strain distributions) to optimize detection for specific damage types, achieving high measurement precision across various damage scenarios

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If embedded strain gauges and fiber optic sensors are used to monitor structural health, then the monitoring coverage is improved, but the ability to determine certain damage types in composite components remains ineffective

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural health monitoring capabilityVSAvoiddamage type determination accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal damage detection system that can identify multiple damage types (fiber breakage, matrix cracking, delamination, impact damage) using a integrated approach combining multiple sensor types and measurement modes. The system adapts its measurement strategy based on the component type and suspected damage, achieving both broad monitoring coverage and precise damage characterization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary evaluation process that analyzes data from embedded sensors through multiple measurement modes. This intermediary layer processes raw sensor data to extract damage-specific features, enabling accurate damage type determination that neither strain gauges nor fiber optic sensors alone could achieve

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If digital image correlation is used to detect nanoparticle positions, then the measurement precision for damage detection is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenanoparticle position detection accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses digital image correlation to create a digital copy of the nanoparticle positions on the composite component surface. By tracking displacements in this digital representation rather than physically measuring each nanoparticle, the system achieves high measurement precision while avoiding the complexity of direct physical measurement systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical measurement systems with optical-based digital image correlation. This substitution uses image processing and computational methods to track nanoparticle positions, achieving high precision measurement while reducing mechanical complexity through software-based analysis

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11454595B2Systems and methods for evaluating a structural health of composite components by correlating positions of displaced nanoparticles

Publication Date: 2022.09.27 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

Systems and methods for determining a damage value of one or more composite components and/or a vehicle using digital image correlation are disclosed. Digital image correlation is used to evaluate a displacement of one or more nanoparticles that are deposited on and/or embedded within the composite component. Digital image correlation is performed by identifying a first reference entry indicating a reference position of the one or more nanoparticles and correlating the first reference entry with sensor data of the composite component indicating a position of the one or more nanoparticles. The damage value of the composite component is determined based on the digital image correlation between the sensor data and the first reference entry.