Pressure Sensor Conduit for Composite Impact Damage Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Composite materials, commonly used in high-tech applications, suffer from poor resistance to impact damage, which often results in Barely Visible Impact Damage (BVID), making it difficult to visually detect damage on the opposing surface.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a sensor with channels affixed to the opposing surface of a structure, creating a pressure differential to detect changes indicative of impact damage, such as cracks, through fluid flow or pressure changes within the conduit formed by the channel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If composite materials are used to achieve high strength and stiffness, then the strength-to-weight ratio is improved, but the resistance to impact damage deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is applied to the structure before impact occurs, establishing a baseline pressure state and creating a monitoring system that can detect damage immediately when it happens, enabling preventive maintenance before damage propagates
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces visual inspection methods with a pressure-based sensing system that uses fluid pressure differentials to detect damage, substituting mechanical/optical detection with a pressure field-based detection method that can penetrate and sense internal damage states
2Ease of operation
If visual inspection is used to detect damage, then the detection method is simple, but the detection precision deteriorates due to Barely Visible Impact Damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a fluid medium as an intermediary between the sensor and the damage site, using pressure waves that propagate through the structure to reveal damage locations that are invisible to the human eye, while maintaining operational simplicity through direct pressure monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses pneumatic or hydraulic pressure differentials to detect damage, employing fluid pressure fields to interact with the structure and reveal damage through pressure changes, combining the simplicity of pressure application with the sensitivity needed to detect BVID
3Measurement precision
If the sensor channel is oriented transverse to fibre direction, then the detection of cracks perpendicular to fibres is improved, but the alignment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different sensor channel orientations at different locations on the structure, with each sensor tailored to detect cracks in specific directions relevant to that local area, allowing optimized detection without requiring complex multi-directional sensors everywhere
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor design employs asymmetric channel orientations relative to the fibre directions, with channels specifically angled to detect cracks that form perpendicular or oblique to fibres, creating an asymmetric detection pattern that matches the asymmetric stress fields around impact sites
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 the detection of impact damage without visual inspection, effectively identifying cracks that are not readily observable, even on composite materials, by monitoring pressure differentials and fluid flow through the conduit.
Implementation Method 1
establishing a pressure differential between the at least one conduit and a reference pressure adjacent the at least one conduit
Implementation Method 2
monitoring for a change in the differential pressure of the at least one conduit
Data Source
AI summary
A method of detecting impact damage of a structure having a first surface exposed to potential impacts from an object comprises providing a sensor having a body portion that has a surface provided with an elongated channel. The sensor is fixed to a second surface of the structure such that a conduit is formed by the channel and the surface. The surface is on an opposite side of the structure to the first surface. A pressure differential is established between the conduit and a reference pressure adjacent the conduit. Monitoring is conducted for detecting any change in the differential pressure that may be indicative of a fracture or crack propagating in the second surface.