Temperature Aging Spectrum for Thermal Inertia Diagnosis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods fail to accurately account for thermal conditions and thermal inertia of equipment, leading to overdesign to withstand severe conditions, which is not necessary, thus increasing unnecessary weight and cost.

Innovation Solution

A diagnostic tool using a temperature aging spectrum is developed, comprising steps of receiving temperature curves, filtering, applying aging laws, and performing cumulative calculations to determine a temperature aging spectrum, which is then used for equipment customization and stress assessment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If equipment is designed to withstand severe thermal conditions without accurate thermal data, then reliability is improved, but weight and cost increase due to overdesign

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveequipment reliabilityVSAvoidequipment weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transforms raw temperature data into a standardized temperature aging spectrum by applying mathematical processing (filtering, integration, normalization) that converts environmental temperature variations into a dimensionless aging indicator. This parameter transformation enables direct comparison of thermal effects across different locations and times without requiring equipment to be overdesigned for worst-case scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the need for complex thermal modeling and extensive thermal inertia measurements with a simplified mathematical approach using first-order filters and cumulative integration. Instead of mechanically measuring thermal responses or using complex finite element analysis, the system uses signal processing techniques to extract aging information from standard temperature records.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If equipment is designed to withstand severe thermal conditions without accurate thermal data, then reliability is improved, but cost increases due to overdesign

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveequipment reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts raw temperature data into a standardized temperature aging spectrum by applying mathematical processing (filtering, integration, normalization) that converts environmental temperature variations into a dimensionless aging indicator. This parameter transformation enables direct comparison of thermal effects across different locations and times without requiring equipment to be overdesigned for worst-case scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the need for complex thermal modeling and extensive thermal inertia measurements with a simplified mathematical approach using first-order filters and cumulative integration. Instead of mechanically measuring thermal responses or using complex finite element analysis, the system uses signal processing techniques to extract aging information from standard temperature records.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If real-world thermal conditions are measured over several years at numerous sites, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal condition measurement precisionVSAvoidmeasurement campaign duration
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates a mathematical model (first-order filter) that copies and transforms standard temperature records into equivalent aging spectra. Instead of physically measuring thermal conditions at multiple locations over years, the system uses existing temperature data and applies the filter model to generate comparable aging information, effectively creating virtual measurements without the time and resource costs of physical campaigns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transforms raw temperature data into a standardized temperature aging spectrum by applying mathematical processing (filtering, integration, normalization) that converts environmental temperature variations into a dimensionless aging indicator. This parameter transformation enables direct comparison of thermal effects across different locations and times without requiring equipment to be overdesigned for worst-case scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 accurate determination of thermal conditions and associated aging, allowing for equipment design that withstands actual conditions without overengineering, applicable to various types of military equipment.

Implementation Method 1

filtering said temperature curve, using a first-order filter having as its time constant said characteristic time Tau_i

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFirst-order filter: Filter (electronic)

Implementation Method 2

applying an aging law to said first modified curve to obtain a second modified curve illustrating instantaneous aging

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAging law:

Implementation Method 3

performing, from said second modified curve, a cumulative calculation over a given sliding period

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCumulative calculation:

Data Source

PatentEP4657305A1Method and device for determining and using a diagnostic tool comprising a temperature ageing spectrum
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 MBDA FRANCE
  • EP4657305A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4657305A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4657305A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

- Method and device for determining and using a diagnostic tool comprising a temperature aging spectrum. - The method (P) comprises a step (E1) for receiving at least one temperature curve relating to a given geographical location, a processing step (E2) comprising a series of successive substeps (E2A, E2B, E2C, E2D, E2E), implemented iteratively for different values ​​of a characteristic time associated with a type of material, comprising a substep (E2A) for filtering the temperature curve using a first-order filter having said characteristic time as its time constant, a substep (E2B) for applying an aging law, a substep (E2C) for performing an accumulation over a given sliding period, a substep (E2D) for extracting a value corresponding to an aging criterion, and a substep (E2E) for associating this extracted value with the characteristic time.The pairs of values ​​obtained at the end of the iterations allow for the formation of a temperature aging spectrum, and a step (E3) is used to perform comparisons, at least from this spectrum, to carry out a diagnosis.