Remote Tension Measurement for Inflatable Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for minimal invasive technologies to measure tension in inflatable and membrane-formed structures during operations, testing, and for structural health monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A remote tension measurement system that uses processors to initialize baseline values, determine measurement points, detect transverse wave propagation, and calculate tension based on propagation speed, allowing for non-invasive estimation of tension in inflatable structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional tension measurement methods are used, then measurement accuracy is improved, but invasiveness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical contact-based tension measurement devices with an optical measurement system that uses light to detect transverse wave propagation. This substitution eliminates the need for physical attachment of sensors to the membrane structure, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy while eliminating invasiveness and potential damage to the structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces transverse waves as an intermediary medium to indirectly measure tension. Instead of directly measuring tension forces with contact sensors, the system generates transverse waves on the membrane and measures their propagation characteristics. The waves serve as a mediator that carries information about the tension state without requiring direct mechanical contact with the structure.
2Reliability
If contact-based sensors are attached to measure tension, then measurement reliability is improved, but structural integrity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact sensors that could compromise structural integrity with an optical measurement system. The optical system detects transverse wave propagation without requiring physical attachment to the membrane, thereby ensuring measurement reliability while preserving the complete structural integrity of the inflatable structure.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If transverse wave propagation method is used, then invasiveness is reduced, but measurement complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes mechanical vibration in the form of transverse waves propagating across the membrane surface. By generating controlled transverse waves and detecting their propagation characteristics, the system achieves non-invasive tension measurement. The vibration-based approach simplifies the measurement principle while maintaining low invasiveness, as it only requires optical excitation and detection rather than complex mechanical sensor arrays.
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 enables accurate and minimally invasive tension measurement in inflatable structures, facilitating structural health monitoring and providing real-time alerts for potential damage.
Implementation Method 1
detect a propagation event for a transverse wave moving along the measurement region; to determine a propagation speed for the transverse wave
Implementation Method 2
determine a tension for the measurement region based on the propagation speed
Data Source
AI summary
A remote tension measurement system and method of use is provided for detection and estimation of tension in two-dimensional and three-dimensional inflatable structures. Given a spacing distance and a known mass of the membrane-formed structure, measurement points are determined to define a measurement region of the structure. A non-invasive sensor monitors the measurement points to detect a transverse wave moving along the measurement region at an angle to a straight path between measurement points. Propagation speed for the transverse wave is calculated and tension for the measurement region is deduced from the calculation. The solution exploits either proactively introduced, pre-existing, induced by normal environmental conditions) and/or multiple transverse vibrations in the membrane-formed structure. Propagation speed is calculated deterministically based on an analysis of the arrays of measurement points.