Removable Surface Wave Network for RF and Mechanical Health Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring radio frequency (RF) and mechanical properties of a surface under test are time-consuming, subjective, and unsuitable for concave surfaces with small openings, and existing health monitoring systems using acoustic surface waves cannot detect changes in static/lightning charge dissipation and RF properties, especially at high electromagnetic frequencies.
Innovation Solution
A removable surface wave network comprising a dielectric substrate with a reactive grid of metallic patches, electronic nodes, and a permeable ground plane is used to transmit and measure surface waves, allowing for rapid and non-invasive determination of surface characteristics, including RF properties, by processing signal data from the nodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If visual inspection or handheld probe methods are used to measure surface properties, then measurement capability is achieved, but measurement time is excessive and productivity is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection and handheld probe scanning with an automated surface wave imaging system that uses acoustic surface waves to rapidly scan and detect surface properties. The electronic scanning mechanism substitutes mechanical probe movement with wave-based detection, achieving both rapid measurement and high productivity.
2Ease of operation
If visual inspection methods are used, then surface examination is possible, but subjectivity and interpretation variability reduce measurement reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces subjective visual inspection with objective acoustic surface wave measurements. The system quantifies surface properties through wave propagation characteristics, eliminating human interpretation variability and providing reliable, repeatable measurements.
3Measurement precision
If acoustic surface wave methods are used to monitor mechanical properties, then mechanical health monitoring is achieved, but the ability to detect RF properties and static/lightning charge dissipation is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal surface wave imaging system that can detect multiple surface properties including mechanical properties, RF properties, and static/lightning charge dissipation characteristics. The system uses acoustic surface waves that interact with various material properties, enabling single-platform multi-functionality for comprehensive surface health monitoring.
4Measurement precision
If ISAR imaging is used to evaluate RF surfaces, then imaging capability is achieved, but equipment cost and processing time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex ISAR imaging equipment with a simpler surface wave imaging system. Instead of using expensive radar equipment and complex inverse synthetic aperture processing, the system uses acoustic surface waves and straightforward wave propagation analysis to achieve comparable or superior imaging capability at lower cost and complexity.
5Measurement precision
If ISAR imaging is used, then surface imaging is possible, but the requirement for sensor removal from the surface and inability to measure concave surfaces with small openings limits applicability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses acoustic surface waves as an intermediary that can penetrate and propagate along complex surface geometries including concave surfaces and re-entrant cavities. The waves act as a mediator that accesses regions inaccessible to external sensors, enabling imaging of previously unreachable surfaces.
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
This approach provides a low-cost, rapid method for monitoring mechanical and RF properties of surfaces, capable of detecting defects and changes on complex and concave surfaces, including those with re-entrant cavities, without being integral to the surface under test.
Implementation Method 1
health monitoring systems that use acoustic surface waves (ASW) to determine structural mechanical properties
Implementation Method 2
a ground plane on a second surface of the dielectric substrate opposite the first surface of the dielectric substrate, the ground plane permeable to radio frequency fields of the surface waves
Data Source
AI summary
A system for measuring properties of a surface under test with surface waves includes a surface wave network including a dielectric substrate, a reactive grid of a plurality of metallic patches on a first surface of the dielectric substrate, a plurality of electronic nodes on the first surface of the dielectric substrate, and a ground plane on a second surface of the dielectric substrate permeable to RF fields of the surface waves, and a controller configured for causing a respective one of the electronic nodes to transmit at least one surface wave and configured for collecting data for signals received by at least one other of the plurality of electronic nodes.