Bae Systems, Inc.

David William Gough

Martyn John Hucker

Sajad Haq

Michael Dunleavy

Clyde Warsop

Ian Michael Sturland

Jason Karl Rew

Philip Lawrence Webberley

Graham Andrew Johnson

Alexander Roy Parfitt

Mark David Balmond

Christopher Colin Figgures

Ivor Andrew Williams

Alexander Dalling

Davia Jean-Louis Gutierrez

A carbon fiber element comprising a carbon fiber to which a coating is applied that reduces its thermal coefficient of resistivity (TCR) can be included in a fiber reinforced structural component to improve sensing of strain therein by reducing errors arising from temperature variations. A method thereof includes providing, embedded within the structural component, at least one carbon fiber extending across a principle plane of the structural component, the carbon fiber being uniformly coated along its entire length with an electrically conductive material, the coating having a resistance that is equal to the carbon fiber and a TCR that is equal but opposite to the carbon fiber. The strain in the structural component is then determined by measuring changes in the electrical resistance of the carbon fiber element.

Strain sensing in composite materials

The invention relates to improved structural health monitoring, particularly to structural health monitoring of fiber reinforced polymer composites, more particularly at bonded joints and methods thereof. There is provided a method of structural health monitoring a composite structure (), wherein said structure () comprises at least one non-reinforcing thermal element (), such as electrically conductive fibers, comprising the steps of applying a stimulus to cause heating of said thermal element (), removing the stimulus, and measuring the electrical resistance of said element () as a function of time, to provide a thermal decay profile () indicating whether damage has occurred in the composite structure ().

Structural health monitoring

According to the invention there is provided a Structural integrated wiring loom comprising at least one conductor comprising at least one first conductive fiber ply, wherein said at least one first conductive fiber ply comprises at least two electrical connectors, a separator structure comprising at least one first non-conductive fiber ply, and at least one second non-conductive fiber ply, said separator structure encapsulating said at least one conductor, a screen structure which encapsulates said separator structure, said screen structure comprising at least one second conductive fiber ply and at least one third conductive fiber ply, wherein said device is encapsulated a binder matrix. The device may be used to replace structural panels on a vehicle vessel or craft, to transfer electrical power or RF signals, data transmission around a composite structure.

Structural integrated wiring loom

A method and device are provided for treating flammable materials, fuels for example, by irradiation of the materials with ultra-violet radiation. In one embodiment, the apparatus suited for connection to a fuel line includes a body with centrally-formed duct and UV light sources mounted outside of the duct at upper and lower sides. It is to be appreciated that the invention has utility for many different fuel system applications, for example in aircraft, boats and in other motive vehicles. Further, the device can be conveniently mounted, if desired, on different fuel platforms including on bowsers.

Treating flammable materials

Composite structural components are disclosed that include electrically conducting fibers providing multiple signal or paths to electrical components disposed on or adjacent the material. The signal paths may therefore be embedded in the structural component as an intrinsic reinforcing element. Also disclosed are materials for making up the structure and fabrics and methods for the production thereof.

Electrical circuit assemblies and structural components incorporating same

A structural health monitoring arrangement includes a component formed of fiber reinforced composite material with a plurality of electrical conducting fibers intrinsic to the composite defining electrical paths that run through the composite. The paths act as sensing paths running through the material and a detector watches for changes in electrical property indicative of a structural event. The paths may be configured as an open or a closed node grid whose electrical continuity is monitored directly or indirectly. Alternatively they may be fibers having a piezoresistive property and the changes in resistance may be monitored.

In order to discriminate between laminar flow and turbulent flow states, and to provide an indication, e.g. to a pilot of an aircraft of air flow over an aircraft wing, a sensor mounted on the wing provides an analogue signal of airflow, and an intermittency value of the analogue signal is derived in analogue circuitry including an AC coupling of the signal to an integrator for integrating the signal for a preset time. The integrated value is compared with a threshold value to indicate whether the intermittency represents quiet laminar flow or noisy turbulent flow.

Apparatus and method for determining a fluid flow state

To provide an indication of whether airflow is separated, as opposed to other states of flow, over a surface, two or more adjacent sensors at a location on the surface each produce an analogue signal representative of airflow. The analogue signals are correlated with each other, and the degree of correlation indicates whether the airflow is in a separated state. The correlation may be carried out by comparing processed values of the analogue signals, and thresholding the comparison result.

Growing community of inventors

Bristol, United Kingdom

David William Gough