Sub-surface Strain Detection via Induced Density Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current non-destructive inspection methods fail to effectively detect sub-surface strain in structural components exposed to environmental conditions such as vibration, temperature extremes, and impacts, as these strains often go undetected without destructive testing.
Innovation Solution
The method involves inducing a pattern region with varying density within the structural component's sub-surface, using energy waves like Terahertz or ultrasonic energy to generate diffraction, refraction, or reflection responses, which are then correlated to detect and quantify strain without damaging the component.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional non-destructive inspection methods are used, then the component remains intact, but sub-surface strain cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
Density patterns are induced into the structural component before exposure to environmental conditions. These pre-induced patterns serve as reference markers that will later deflect energy waves in predictable ways, enabling detection of any strain-induced changes to the component's internal structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Energy waves (such as ultrasonic or electromagnetic waves) are used as intermediaries to probe the internal structure of the component. These waves interact with the density patterns and any strain-induced changes, carrying information about sub-surface conditions to detectors without requiring physical contact or destruction of the component.
2Loss of information
If destructive inspection techniques are used, then sub-surface damage can be determined, but the component is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical destructive inspection methods with a non-contact or minimal-contact energy wave-based inspection system. Instead of physically sectioning or destroying the component to examine internal structure, energy waves penetrate the material and interact with density patterns to reveal strain information.
3Ease of operation
If routine visual inspections are performed, then the inspection process is simple, but sub-surface strain remains undetected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates detectable changes in the physical properties of the material (density variations) that can be detected by energy wave interactions. Similar to how color changes make visible what would otherwise be invisible, the density patterns create measurable differences in energy wave behavior that reveal sub-surface strain conditions.
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 allows for accurate, non-destructive assessment and quantification of strain in structural components, enabling timely maintenance and preventing potential failures by identifying sub-surface damage that would otherwise be invisible.
Implementation Method 1
directing the energy wave from the induced pattern region in the form of a deflected energy wave to generate at least one of: a diffraction response, a refraction response, and a reflection response
Implementation Method 2
directing the energy wave from the induced pattern region in the form of a deflected energy wave to generate at least one of: a diffraction response, a refraction response, and a reflection response
Implementation Method 3
directing the energy wave from the induced pattern region in the form of a deflected energy wave to generate at least one of: a diffraction response, a refraction response, and a reflection response
Data Source
AI summary
Non-destructive testing apparatuses, systems, and methods for assessing strain in structural components are disclosed. Structural components include induced predetermined regions having materials of varying density, including induced geometric patterns of differing densities within the structural component that can be a composite material structural component. The method includes projecting waves of energy, that can be beams of electromagnetic (EM) energy and/or waves of ultrasonic (UT) energy, into or through the structural component to evaluate the predetermined induced pattern region of varying density and determining existing strain within a structural component based on the detected energy response.