USA As Represented by Secretary of the Navy

Colin P Ratcliffe

Roger M Crane

James M McDonnell

Lisa Weiser

Jaime Santiago

A device and method are provided for determining whether a laminate is bonded or debonded from its substrate. The device and method provide simple, accurate, rapid, cost-effective, and reliable means for assessing the bonding state of a laminated substrate.

Hammer activated measurement system for testing and evaluating rubber and other materials

An apparatus includes a positioner. The apparatus includes a striker axially movable in the positioner. The striker includes a striker inner end. The apparatus includes a force gauge axially movable in the positioner. The force gauge includes a force gauge inner end. The force gauge inner end is in communication with the striker inner end. Optionally, the striker defines at least one fluid passage axially therethrough.

Calibrated impact hammer

A nondestructive inspection method for composite structures, including thick core structures, is disclosed that imparts a vibration force into the structure and analyzes the response over a range of frequencies to find possible damaged areas. The composite structure is struck to induce vibration at a series of test points and the response of the composite structure as a function of acceleration at each test point is measured. The structural anomalies in the composite structure occur at structural stiffness irregularities near anomalies and are detected with a Gapped Smoothing Method operating on the data and plotting a structural irregularity index as a function of frequency and position.

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Millersville, MD, United States of America

Colin P Ratcliffe