Indoors positioning and navigation systems and methods are described herein. In one embodiment, a system for inspecting or maintaining a storage tank includes a vehicle having: at least one sensor for determining properties of a storage tank and a navigation system. The navigation system includes an acoustic transmitter carried by the vehicle and an inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor configured to at least partially determine a location of the vehicle with respect to the storage tank. The vehicle also includes a propulsion unit configured to move the vehicle within the storage tank, and an acoustic receiver fixed with respect to the storage tank. The vehicle moves inside the storage tank in concentric arcs with respect to the acoustic receiver.
G05D 1/00 - Commande de la position, du cap, de l'altitude ou de l'attitude des véhicules terrestres, aquatiques, aériens ou spatiaux, p.ex. pilote automatique
G01B 5/18 - Dispositions pour la mesure caractérisées par l'utilisation de techniques mécaniques pour mesurer une profondeur
G01B 17/02 - Dispositions pour la mesure caractérisées par l'utilisation de vibrations infrasonores, sonores ou ultrasonores pour mesurer l'épaisseur
G05D 1/02 - Commande de la position ou du cap par référence à un système à deux dimensions
G05D 1/04 - Commande de l'altitude ou de la profondeur
Operating parameters are selected for inspecting a structure. Selecting the operating parameters includes exciting broadband ultrasonic guided waves in a multilayered structure, acquiring data corresponding to the sensed broadband ultrasonic guided waves in the multilayered structure, selecting one or more narrow frequency bands based on the acquired data, and inspecting the multilayered structure using ultrasonic guided waves in the one or more narrow frequency bands. In some examples, the data is acquired by an inspection tool capable of sensing the broadband ultrasonic guided waves in the multilayered structure.
Systems and methods for detecting corrosion in pipes are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an apparatus for detecting corrosion in an object includes an electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) having a ferromagnetic core and a plurality of permanent magnets arranged peripherally around the ferromagnetic core. The permanent magnets are arranged to produce a magnetic field through the ferromagnetic core. The apparatus also includes a coil between the ferromagnetic core and the object.
Systems and methods for printed multifunctional skin are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a smart device includes providing a structure, placing a sensor over an outer surface of the structure, and placing conductive traces over the outer surface of the structure. The conductive traces electrically connect the sensor to electronics.
B29C 67/00 - Techniques de façonnage non couvertes par les groupes , ou
G01B 7/16 - Dispositions pour la mesure caractérisées par l'utilisation de techniques électriques ou magnétiques pour mesurer les déformations dans un solide, p.ex. au moyen d'une jauge de contrainte à résistance
B64D 45/02 - Dispositifs de protection contre la foudre; Déperditeurs de potentiel
B29C 64/112 - Procédés de fabrication additive n’utilisant que des matériaux liquides ou visqueux, p.ex. dépôt d’un cordon continu de matériau visqueux utilisant des gouttelettes individuelles, p.ex. de buses de jet
B33Y 80/00 - Produits obtenus par fabrication additive
B64D 45/00 - Indicateurs ou dispositifs de protection d'aéronefs, non prévus ailleurs
G01M 5/00 - Examen de l'élasticité des structures ou ouvrages, p.ex. fléchissement de ponts ou d'ailes d'avions
G01L 1/22 - Mesure des forces ou des contraintes, en général en faisant usage des cellules électrocinétiques, c. à d. des cellules contenant un liquide, dans lesquelles un potentiel électrique est produit ou modifié par l'application d'une contrainte en utilisant des jauges de contrainte à résistance
B29C 70/88 - Façonnage de matières composites, c. à d. de matières plastiques comprenant des renforcements, des matières de remplissage ou des parties préformées, p.ex. des inserts caractérisées principalement par des propriétés spécifiques, p.ex. électriquement conductrices ou renforcées localement
B64C 3/26 - Construction, forme ou fixation des revêtements distincts, p.ex. panneaux
G01K 1/14 - Supports; Dispositifs de fixation; Dispositions pour le montage de thermomètres en des endroits particuliers
Indoors positioning and navigation systems and methods are described herein. In one embodiment, a system for inspecting or maintaining a storage tank includes a vehicle having: at least one sensor for determining properties of a storage tank and a navigation system. The navigation system includes an acoustic transmitter carried by the vehicle and an inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor configured to at least partially determine a location of the vehicle with respect to the storage tank. The vehicle also includes a propulsion unit configured to move the vehicle within the storage tank, and an acoustic receiver fixed with respect to the storage tank. The vehicle moves inside the storage tank in concentric arcs with respect to the acoustic receiver.
G05D 1/02 - Commande de la position ou du cap par référence à un système à deux dimensions
G05D 1/00 - Commande de la position, du cap, de l'altitude ou de l'attitude des véhicules terrestres, aquatiques, aériens ou spatiaux, p.ex. pilote automatique
G05D 1/04 - Commande de l'altitude ou de la profondeur
G01B 5/18 - Dispositions pour la mesure caractérisées par l'utilisation de techniques mécaniques pour mesurer une profondeur
G01B 17/02 - Dispositions pour la mesure caractérisées par l'utilisation de vibrations infrasonores, sonores ou ultrasonores pour mesurer l'épaisseur
6.
Indoor positioning and navigation systems and methods
Indoors positioning and navigation systems and methods are described herein. In one embodiment, a system for inspecting or maintaining a storage tank includes a vehicle having: at least one sensor for determining properties of a storage tank and a navigation system. The navigation system includes an acoustic transmitter carried by the vehicle and an inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor configured to at least partially determine a location of the vehicle with respect to the storage tank. The vehicle also includes a propulsion unit configured to move the vehicle within the storage tank, and an acoustic receiver fixed with respect to the storage tank. The vehicle moves inside the storage tank in concentric arcs with respect to the acoustic receiver.
G05D 1/00 - Commande de la position, du cap, de l'altitude ou de l'attitude des véhicules terrestres, aquatiques, aériens ou spatiaux, p.ex. pilote automatique
G01B 17/02 - Dispositions pour la mesure caractérisées par l'utilisation de vibrations infrasonores, sonores ou ultrasonores pour mesurer l'épaisseur
G01B 5/18 - Dispositions pour la mesure caractérisées par l'utilisation de techniques mécaniques pour mesurer une profondeur
G05D 1/04 - Commande de l'altitude ou de la profondeur
G05D 1/02 - Commande de la position ou du cap par référence à un système à deux dimensions
7.
Corrosion rate monitoring using ultrasound, and associated systems and methods
Systems and methods for determining rate of corrosion in pipes and other structures are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for measuring a rate of corrosion progress in a specimen includes: generating a first initial pulse into the specimen by an ultrasonic transducer, and acquiring a first reflected waveform from the specimen. The first reflected waveform includes a first reflection of the first waveform and a second reflection of the first waveform. The method also includes generating a second initial pulse into the specimen by the ultrasonic transducer. The first initial pulse and the second initial pulse are separated by a time period. The method also includes acquiring a second reflected waveform from the specimen. The second reflected waveform includes a first reflection of the second waveform and a second reflection of the second waveform.
Systems and methods for printed multifunctional skins are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an aerodynamic apparatus includes an aerodynamic structure having a first surface exposed to an outside environment, and a second surface exposed to an inside environment. A printed sensor is carried by the first surface of the aerodynamic structure, electronic components are carried by the second surface of the aerodynamic structure, and at least one printed conductive trace is carried by the first surface and the second surface. The printed conductive trace electrically connects the printed sensor with the electronics.
B29C 67/00 - Techniques de façonnage non couvertes par les groupes , ou
G01B 7/16 - Dispositions pour la mesure caractérisées par l'utilisation de techniques électriques ou magnétiques pour mesurer les déformations dans un solide, p.ex. au moyen d'une jauge de contrainte à résistance
B64D 45/02 - Dispositifs de protection contre la foudre; Déperditeurs de potentiel
H05K 1/16 - Circuits imprimés comprenant des composants électriques imprimés incorporés, p.ex. une résistance, un condensateur, une inductance imprimés
B64D 45/00 - Indicateurs ou dispositifs de protection d'aéronefs, non prévus ailleurs
B64C 39/02 - Aéronefs non prévus ailleurs caractérisés par un emploi spécial
B64C 3/26 - Construction, forme ou fixation des revêtements distincts, p.ex. panneaux
B64C 1/12 - Structure ou fixation de panneaux de revêtement
9.
Electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) for corrosion mapping
Systems and methods for detecting corrosion in pipes are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an apparatus for detecting corrosion in an object includes an electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) having a ferromagnetic core and a plurality of permanent magnets arranged peripherally around the ferromagnetic core. The permanent magnets are arranged to produce a magnetic field through the ferromagnetic core. The apparatus also includes a coil between the ferromagnetic core and the object.
Growth of single crystal epitaxial films of the perovskite crystal structure by liquid- or vapor-phase means can be accomplished by providing single-crystal perovskite substrate materials of improved lattice parameter match in the lattice parameter range of interest. Current substrates do not provide as good a lattice match, have inferior properties, or are of limited size and availability because cost of materials and difficulty of growth. This problem is solved by the single-crystal perovskite solid solutions described herein grown from mixtures with an indifferent melting point that occurs at a congruently melting composition at a temperature minimum in the melting curve in the pseudo-binary molar phase diagram. Accordingly, single-crystal perovskite solid solutions, structures, and devices including single-crystal perovskite solid solutions, and methods of making single-crystal perovskite solid solutions are described herein.
C30B 11/14 - Croissance des monocristaux par simple solidification ou dans un gradient de température, p.ex. méthode de Bridgman-Stockbarger caractérisée par le germe, p.ex. par son orientation cristallographique
C30B 15/36 - Croissance des monocristaux par tirage hors d'un bain fondu, p.ex. méthode de Czochralski caractérisée par le germe, p.ex. par son orientation cristallographique
C30B 19/12 - Croissance d'une couche épitaxiale à partir de la phase liquide caractérisée par le substrat
C30B 25/06 - Croissance d'une couche épitaxiale par pulvérisation réactive
11.
Printed multifunctional skin for aerodynamic structures, and associated systems and methods
Systems and methods for printed multifunctional skin are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a smart device includes providing a structure, placing a sensor over an outer surface of the structure, and placing conductive traces over the outer surface of the structure. The conductive traces electrically connect the sensor to electronics.
B29C 67/00 - Techniques de façonnage non couvertes par les groupes , ou
B33Y 80/00 - Produits obtenus par fabrication additive
B64D 45/02 - Dispositifs de protection contre la foudre; Déperditeurs de potentiel
H05K 3/12 - Appareils ou procédés pour la fabrication de circuits imprimés dans lesquels le matériau conducteur est appliqué au support isolant de manière à former le parcours conducteur recherché utilisant la technique de l'impression pour appliquer le matériau conducteur
B64D 45/00 - Indicateurs ou dispositifs de protection d'aéronefs, non prévus ailleurs
G01M 5/00 - Examen de l'élasticité des structures ou ouvrages, p.ex. fléchissement de ponts ou d'ailes d'avions
G01L 1/22 - Mesure des forces ou des contraintes, en général en faisant usage des cellules électrocinétiques, c. à d. des cellules contenant un liquide, dans lesquelles un potentiel électrique est produit ou modifié par l'application d'une contrainte en utilisant des jauges de contrainte à résistance
B29C 70/88 - Façonnage de matières composites, c. à d. de matières plastiques comprenant des renforcements, des matières de remplissage ou des parties préformées, p.ex. des inserts caractérisées principalement par des propriétés spécifiques, p.ex. électriquement conductrices ou renforcées localement
B64C 3/26 - Construction, forme ou fixation des revêtements distincts, p.ex. panneaux
G01K 1/14 - Supports; Dispositifs de fixation; Dispositions pour le montage de thermomètres en des endroits particuliers
B29C 64/112 - Procédés de fabrication additive n’utilisant que des matériaux liquides ou visqueux, p.ex. dépôt d’un cordon continu de matériau visqueux utilisant des gouttelettes individuelles, p.ex. de buses de jet
Systems and methods for inspection of pipelines are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) transceiver (TRX) for inspecting a pipe includes a multichannel EMAT transmitter (TX) having multiple collocated transmitter coils. The EMAT TX can generate forward-propagating ultrasound waves and backward-propagating ultrasound waves. The forward-propagating ultrasound waves have higher amplitude than the backward-propagating ultrasound waves. The EMAT TRX also includes a multichannel EMAT receiver (RX) having multiple receiver coils that can receive the ultrasound waves transmitted by the EMAT TX through the pipe.
Growth of single crystal epitaxial films of the perovskite crystal structure by liquid- or vapor-phase means can be accomplished by providing single-crystal perovskite substrate materials of improved lattice parameter match in the lattice parameter range of interest. Current substrates do not provide as good a lattice match, have inferior properties, or are of limited size and availability because cost of materials and difficulty of growth. This problem is solved by the single-crystal perovskite solid solutions described herein grown from mixtures with an indifferent melting point that occurs at a congruently melting composition at a temperature minimum in the melting curve in the pseudo-binary molar phase diagram. Accordingly, single-crystal perovskite solid solutions, structures, and devices including single-crystal perovskite solid solutions, and methods of making single-crystal perovskite solid solutions are described herein.
C30B 11/14 - Croissance des monocristaux par simple solidification ou dans un gradient de température, p.ex. méthode de Bridgman-Stockbarger caractérisée par le germe, p.ex. par son orientation cristallographique
C30B 15/36 - Croissance des monocristaux par tirage hors d'un bain fondu, p.ex. méthode de Czochralski caractérisée par le germe, p.ex. par son orientation cristallographique
C30B 19/12 - Croissance d'une couche épitaxiale à partir de la phase liquide caractérisée par le substrat
C30B 25/06 - Croissance d'une couche épitaxiale par pulvérisation réactive
14.
Systems and methods for specimen inspection using ultrasonic wave generation
Systems and methods for specimen inspection using ultrasonic wave generation are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an apparatus for inspecting a solid object using ultrasound includes: a pulser having pulser ports for outputting electrical signals. The apparatus also includes a switching array for receiving the signals from the pulser ports as individual channels, and routing the signals to individual elements of a transmitter array. The apparatus also includes the transmitter array, where each element of the transmitter array generates ultrasound in the solid object in response to the signal received from the switching array.
Operating parameters are selected for inspecting a structure. Selecting the operating parameters includes exciting broadband ultrasonic guided waves in a multilayered structure, acquiring data corresponding to the sensed broadband ultrasonic guided waves in the multilayered structure, selecting one or more narrow frequency bands based on the acquired data, and inspecting the multilayered structure using ultrasonic guided waves in the one or more narrow frequency bands. In some examples, the data is acquired by an inspection tool capable of sensing the broadband ultrasonic guided waves in the multilayered structure.
Systems and method for active control of stationary vortices for aerodynamic structures are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for active control of vortices over a solid surface includes: generating vortices proximate to the solid surface; sensing locations of vortices by printed skin sensors; and maintaining the vortices in their fixed spanwise positions with respect to the solid surface by actuation of printed skin actuators.
Systems and methods for non-destructive testing of specimens are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) includes an electro-permanent magnet (EPM) configured to controllably apply a biasing magnetic flux to a target location. The EPM includes a hard magnet, and a soft magnet at least partially enclosing the hard magnet. The EPM also includes a magnetizing coil having a plurality of turns at least partially encircling the soft magnet. The magnetizing coil is configured to controllably magnetically bias the soft magnet when a current is applied to the magnetizing coil.
An apparatus configured to measure at least one physical characteristic of a threaded surface (e.g., an internally threaded surface) of an object is provided. The apparatus uses optical triangulation to perform non-contact characterization of the threaded surface. The apparatus can be used to characterize various aspects of the threaded surface, including generating the measurements required to produce a longitudinal cross-sectional profile of the threaded surface.
A method of inspecting a pipe for flaws includes emitting ultrasonic waves, controlling the emission of the ultrasonic waves, receiving reflections of the ultrasonic waves, and determining at least one characteristic of one or more flaws. The ultrasonic waves are emitted in a helical pattern through the pipe from an array of ultrasonic transducer elements. The emission of the ultrasonic waves from the array is controlled such that the ultrasonic waves are emitted at a plurality of helical angles within a range of helical angles. The reflections of the ultrasonic waves are caused by impingement of the ultrasonic waves on the one or more flaws. The at least one characteristic of the one or more flaws is determined based on the received reflections of the ultrasonic waves.
Systems and methods for printed multifunctional skin are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a smart device includes providing a structure, placing a sensor over an outer surface of the structure, and placing conductive traces over the outer surface of the structure. The conductive traces electrically connect the sensor to electronics.
B29C 67/00 - Techniques de façonnage non couvertes par les groupes , ou
G01B 7/16 - Dispositions pour la mesure caractérisées par l'utilisation de techniques électriques ou magnétiques pour mesurer les déformations dans un solide, p.ex. au moyen d'une jauge de contrainte à résistance
B64D 45/02 - Dispositifs de protection contre la foudre; Déperditeurs de potentiel
B33Y 80/00 - Produits obtenus par fabrication additive
B64D 45/00 - Indicateurs ou dispositifs de protection d'aéronefs, non prévus ailleurs
G01M 5/00 - Examen de l'élasticité des structures ou ouvrages, p.ex. fléchissement de ponts ou d'ailes d'avions
G01L 1/22 - Mesure des forces ou des contraintes, en général en faisant usage des cellules électrocinétiques, c. à d. des cellules contenant un liquide, dans lesquelles un potentiel électrique est produit ou modifié par l'application d'une contrainte en utilisant des jauges de contrainte à résistance
B29C 70/88 - Façonnage de matières composites, c. à d. de matières plastiques comprenant des renforcements, des matières de remplissage ou des parties préformées, p.ex. des inserts caractérisées principalement par des propriétés spécifiques, p.ex. électriquement conductrices ou renforcées localement
B64C 3/26 - Construction, forme ou fixation des revêtements distincts, p.ex. panneaux
G01K 1/14 - Supports; Dispositifs de fixation; Dispositions pour le montage de thermomètres en des endroits particuliers
B29C 64/112 - Procédés de fabrication additive n’utilisant que des matériaux liquides ou visqueux, p.ex. dépôt d’un cordon continu de matériau visqueux utilisant des gouttelettes individuelles, p.ex. de buses de jet
B29L 31/34 - Appareils électriques, p.ex. bougies ou leurs parties constitutives
An apparatus configured to measure at least one physical characteristic of a threaded surface (e.g., an internally threaded surface) of an object is provided. The apparatus uses optical triangulation to perform non-contact characterization of the threaded surface. The apparatus can be used to characterize various aspects of the threaded surface, including generating the measurements required to produce a longitudinal cross-sectional profile of the threaded surface.
Growth of single crystals of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) and other perovskites is accomplished by liquid phase epitaxy onto a substrate of suitable structural and lattice parameter match. A solvent and specific growth conditions for stable growth are required to achieve the desired proportions of Zr and Ti.
C30B 19/12 - Croissance d'une couche épitaxiale à partir de la phase liquide caractérisée par le substrat
C30B 19/02 - Croissance d'une couche épitaxiale à partir de la phase liquide en utilisant des solvants fondus, p.ex. des fondants
C30B 19/04 - Croissance d'une couche épitaxiale à partir de la phase liquide en utilisant des solvants fondus, p.ex. des fondants le solvant étant un constituant du cristal
A system includes a substrate having a surface and a circuit with a plurality of conductive paths disposed adjacent (e.g., directly on or separated by a thin layer). The circuit is configured to detect an interruption or alteration of conduction of one or more of the plurality of conductive paths due to a flaw in the substrate. The circuit is further configured to identify the interrupted or altered one or more of the plurality of conductive paths based on one or more electrical characteristics of the circuit.
G01B 7/16 - Dispositions pour la mesure caractérisées par l'utilisation de techniques électriques ou magnétiques pour mesurer les déformations dans un solide, p.ex. au moyen d'une jauge de contrainte à résistance
G01L 1/00 - Mesure des forces ou des contraintes, en général
G01M 5/00 - Examen de l'élasticité des structures ou ouvrages, p.ex. fléchissement de ponts ou d'ailes d'avions
G01N 19/08 - Détection de la présence de criques ou d'irrégularités
H05K 1/16 - Circuits imprimés comprenant des composants électriques imprimés incorporés, p.ex. une résistance, un condensateur, une inductance imprimés
An apparatus configured to measure at least one physical characteristic of an threaded surface (e.g., an internally threaded surface) of an object is provided. The apparatus uses optical triangulation to perform non-contact characterization of the threaded surface. The apparatus can be used to characterize various aspects of the threaded surface, including generating the measurements required to produce a longitudinal cross-sectional profile of the threaded surface.
An apparatus configured to measure at least one physical characteristic of a threaded surface (e.g., an internally threaded surface) of an object is provided. The apparatus uses optical triangulation to perform non-contact characterization of the threaded surface. The apparatus can be used to characterize various aspects of the threaded surface, including generating the measurements required to produce a longitudinal cross-sectional profile of the threaded surface.
In some embodiments, an inspection system for measuring at least a portion of the threaded surface of an internally threaded component includes at least one measuring probe, a component retention device that allows positioning of the internally threaded component relative to the measuring probe and a processing device in signal communication with the measuring probe to receive threaded surface data therefrom.
G01B 11/30 - Dispositions pour la mesure caractérisées par l'utilisation de techniques optiques pour mesurer la rugosité ou l'irrégularité des surfaces
27.
Electromagnetically heating a conductive medium in a composite aircraft component
Nondestructive examination is performed on a composite aircraft component including a composite body and a conductive medium. The conductive medium is substantially more conductive than the composite body. The nondestructive examination includes applying an electromagnetic field that penetrates the composite body and heats the conductive medium, and creating a thermal image of the conductive medium to reveal conductivity information about the conductive medium.
brevets
