Structural Monitoring Systems Ltd

Ceto IP Pty Ltd.

Nigel Laxton

Lawrence John Walker

Henry Kroker

Kenneth John Davey

Jonathan Pierre Fievez

Laurence Drew Mann

Greg John Allen

Ruud Caljouw

David Kessel

Andrew Petrow

Duncan Barton

Peter Hughes

A closed-loop hydraulic apparatusfor converting wave energy comprises a pumpfor pumping a fluid through the apparatus. The pumpincludes a bodydefining a chamber, and a pistonthat partitions the chamberinto a working sideand a blind side. A buoyant actuator is connected to the piston. An inletis connected to the working sideof the chamberso that the fluid is able to flow from the inletand into the working sideof the chamber. An outletis connected to the working sideof the chamberso that the fluid is able to flow from the working sideof the chamberto the outlet. A hydraulic controlleris operable to control the pumpby controlling the pressure of the fluid at the inletand the outletso as to optimise the output of the pumpin response to tidal variations and/or sea state. The pressure of the fluid at the inletand the outletis controlled in accordance with a control algorithm.

Hydraulic apparatus

A comparative pressure monitoring instrument () houses a switch () having first and second ports () and (), and a high flow impedanceThe ports () and () are in fluidal communication with a first pressure source () and a second pressure source () respectively. The impedance () is coupled (i.e. shunted) across the switch ports () and () and the first and second pressure sources (). The switch () switches between a first state characterised by a pressure differential across the impedance () being less than a preset level and a second state characterised by the pressure differential across the impedance () being equal to or greater than the preset difference. Any difference in pressure between the sources () and () will cause an air/gas flow through the impedance () and thus a pressure drop across the impedance ().

Comparative pressure monitoring instrument

A differential comparative pressure monitoring system () for monitoring the structural integrity of a structure () has a pressure source (); a first fluidic circuit (), and a reference fluidic circuit () which are connected in parallel to the pressure source (); and a monitoring device (). The first and reference fluidic circuits () and () have substantially matched characteristics. The first circuit () has a sensor element () which is sealed to a surface () on the structure (). The reference circuit () is in fluidic isolation from the surface () of the structure (). The monitoring device () takes simultaneous measurements of a common fluidic characteristic of the circuits () and (), and produces a signal indicative the integrity of the structure based on a difference between the simultaneously measured common characteristic.

Differential comparative pressure monitoring system

A sensor for detecting surface cracks in a component or structure. A preferred embodiment of the device comprises a flat body portion with a central hole through which a main structural bolt passes. The body portion has a throughway providing fluid communication between an exterior port and a substantially hermetically-sealed area on the structural surface being monitored. A crack which develops in the monitored area surrounding the bolt hole will cause venting of the hermetically-sealed area, in turn causing a change in fluid pressure that can be detected and/or measured to warn of the presence of the crack.

Sensor for detecting surface cracks in a component or structure

A laminated sensor comprises a base stratum and a terminal stratum. The base stratum has a first surface that is affixed to a surface of a structure to be monitored. The terminal stratum is affixed to the opposite second surface of the base stratum. A connector is attached to the terminal stratum. The base stratum is provided with first and second channels and that are cut through the thickness of the base stratum. The terminal stratum is provided with holes that extend through the thickness of the terminal stratum. A first pair of the holes are positioned to register with the first channel, while a second pair of the holes are positioned to register with the second channel. A first conduit is formed by the first channel and the holes; while a second conduit is formed by the second channel and the holes. The connector connects with tubes to provide fluid communication between the conduits and a differential pressure monitoring system.

Sensor for detecting surface cracks in an article

A method for detecting separation in a structure that comprises at least two portions or layers affixed together comprises forming a cavity into the structure that passes through an interface formed between the two portions and plumbing the cavity to a monitoring system. A pressure differential is established between the cavity and a reference pressure to which the structure is exposed. A monitoring system monitors for a change in the pressure state of the cavity. Changes in the pressure state are indicative of a separation between the portions or layers.

Method for detecting separation in a structure

A method of detecting impact damage of a structure having a first surface exposed to potential impacts from an object comprises providing a sensor having a body portion that has a surface provided with an elongated channel. The sensor is fixed to a second surface of the structure such that a conduit is formed by the channel and the surface. The surface is on an opposite side of the structure to the first surface. A pressure differential is established between the conduit and a reference pressure adjacent the conduit. Monitoring is conducted for detecting any change in the differential pressure that may be indicative of a fracture or crack propagating in the second surface.

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Mt. Hawthorn, Australia

Nigel Laxton