G01M5/00

Voltage differential reduction methods used while retrieving a mobile platform from a tank containing a hazardous, non-conductive substance

A method of retrieving a mobile platform from a tank at least partially filled with a non-conductive, energetic substance includes configuring the mobile platform to include at least a retrieval system including a buoyant body, an electrically conductive member, and a tether. The tether electrically isolates the buoyant body from the enclosure. The method further includes the steps of releasing the buoyant body to convey the tether toward a surface of the non-conductive, liquid energetic substance; conveying an electrically conductive cable to the electrically conductive member using the tether; electrically connecting a voltage neutralizing end of the electrically conductive cable to a voltage differential neutralizing body in a spark inhibiting ambient condition; electrically connecting a mobile platform end of the electrically conductive cable to the electrically conductive member of the mobile platform while the electrically conductive member is below the surface of the non-conductive, liquid energetic substance.

Methods for detecting pipeline weakening
11604127 · 2023-03-14 ·

Methods of detecting pipeline weakening are described herein. The methods include creating a pressure wave in a fluid flowing in a pipeline using an input transducer located at a first position along the pipeline; measuring the pressure wave using an output transducer positioned at a second position along the pipeline that is spaced from the first position, and generating an output signal based on the pressure wave; analyzing the output signal to determine a stiffness of a sidewall of the pipeline positioned between the input transducer and output transducer; and determining if the sidewall includes a defect based on the stiffness of the sidewall, including analyzing a frequency response of the output signal to detect the defect.

SURFACE STRESS SENSOR, HOLLOW STRUCTURAL ELEMENT, AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SAME

Provided are a surface stress sensor that enables deterioration in measurement precision to be suppressed and a method for manufacturing the same. A surface stress sensor includes: a membrane configured to be bent by applied surface stress; a frame member configured to surround the membrane with gaps interposed therebetween when viewed from the thickness direction of the membrane; at least a pair of coupling portions configured to couple the membrane and the frame member; a flexible resistor configured to be disposed on at least one of the coupling portions and have a resistance value that changes according to bending induced in the coupling portion; and a support base member configured to be connected to the frame member and overlap the frame member when viewed from the thickness direction of the membrane, in which a cavity portion is disposed between the membrane and the support base member.

METHOD FOR DETECTING A DEFECT IN A STRUCTURE OF A DEVICE

This method comprises: generating, only using the device, a low-frequency signal that makes the structure vibrate, generating a high-frequency signal in the structure, measuring a vibratory signal caused by the generated low-frequency and high-frequency signals at the same time then adaptively re-sampling these measurements to obtain a re-sampled vibratory signal the power spectrum of which comprises: a first frequency range [u.sub.BFmin; u.sub.BFmax] of width larger than 5 Hz that contains 95% of the power of the low-frequency signal, a second frequency range [u.sub.HFmin; u.sub.HFmax] of width systematically smaller than u.sub.BFmin that contains 95% of the power of the low-frequency signal, signaling a defect in the structure if an additional power lobe is detected outside of the ranges [u.sub.BFmin; u.sub.BFmax] and [u.sub.HFmin; u.sub.HFmax].

SYSTEMS AND METHODS COMPRISING SMART COMPONENTS
20230129596 · 2023-04-27 ·

Systems and methods are disclosed for real time monitoring and recording of events related to the performance and structural integrity of composite panels used in structural components of a trailer and their effective use as an insulating material and structural panel. The systems and methods may include one or more sensors embedded and/or integrated in a composite wall of a vehicle such as a trailer, a gateway configured and coupled to the one or more sensors, and configured to wirelessly communicate information received from the one or more sensors to a server, further comprising software configured to receive, analyze, transmit and display information necessary for monitoring the integrity of the vehicle.

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR EVALUATING DURABILITY OF BATTERY MODULE FRAME FOR VEHICLE

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for evaluating durability of a battery module frame for a vehicle. According to the present disclosure, it is possible to easily evaluate the durability or a similar quality of the welded portion of the battery module frame by providing constraints similar to a situation in which a swelling phenomenon occurs in a battery cell in the battery module frame.

Bending test apparatus and method for flexible sheet material

The present invention discloses a bending test apparatus and method for a flexible sheet material. The apparatus comprises a mounting table and further comprises a clamping unit and a bending shaft unit. The clamping unit comprises a clamping part. The bending shaft unit comprises a bending shaft extending in a Z-axis direction. The bending shaft has an arc-shaped sidewall for abutting against a flexible sheet material at an end thereof away from the clamping part. The clamping part moves relative to the bending shaft in a Y-axis direction. The present invention has the following advantage: During a test, a flexible sheet material is bent with a lower external strain, has a wide adjustment curvature range, and the structure is optimized.

Diagnosis device
11474082 · 2022-10-18 · ·

A diagnosis device includes a data acquirer, a data recorder, and a health diagnoser. The data acquirer acquires a measurement data of a structure at a predetermined timing. The data recorder causes a storage to store the measurement data acquired by the data acquirer as a standard data. The health diagnoser diagnoses a health of the structure by comparing the measurement data that is acquired by the data acquirer this time with the standard data that has been acquired by the data acquirer last time and stored in the storage.

Use of fiber optic strain sensors to monitor fastener damage in structures

A fastener health monitoring system includes a structure including a first component and a second component, one or more fasteners securing the first component to the second component, and an optical fiber arranged adjacent to the one or more fasteners. The fiber is configured to detect strain on the structure from the one or more fasteners. Strain patterns are derivable from sensed data from the optical fiber, and any deviation in strain value greater than a threshold value at a particular fiber position along the optical fiber is indicative of a missing, damaged, or loosened fastener amongst the one or more of fasteners corresponding to that particular fiber position.

Method for assessing fatigue damage and a fatigue life based on a crystal plastic welding process model

A method for assessing fatigue damage and a fatigue life based on a crystal plastic welding process model. According to the new method, consideration is given to the effects of the crystal slip system and the polycrystal plastic strain on the welding process performance of the material. A welding process damage and fatigue life assessment model is established on the mesoscopic scale. The effect of microscopic characterizations of materials on the welding process performance, as well as on the fatigue damage and life of welded joints, can be studied from the mesoscopic point of view. The relationship between the welding process and the evolution of the material performance can be determined by the macro-mesoscopic coupling calculation model to further determine the effect and degree of welding processes on the fatigue damage and life of materials.