Direct Measurements, Inc.

Other

Reginald I Vachon

William Farris Ranson

Gregory Lee Hovis

An augmented binary code symbol (100) includes a perimeter, first and second data regions () along adjacent sides of the perimeter, first and second utility regions () along adjacent sides of the perimeter opposite the first and second data regions (), first and second finder cells () at opposite comers of the rectangle, and inner and outer quiet regions distinguishing the first and second data regions, the first and second utility regions (), and the first and second finder cells () from their background. Each data region and each utility region has at least one row () of a plurality of data cells () and utility cells, respectively, which encode data and have well-defined edges, enabling the number of data and utility cells to be increased, so as to increase the density of the encoded data. The data and utility cells are marked using a short wave length laser in order to create the well-defined edges.

Augmented binary code symbol

A non-linear strain gage includes a target for association with an object for which at least one of strain and fatigue damage is to be measured, a sensor, and a computer. The target incorporates a nested binary code symbol for perimeter-based deformation and strain analysis and emits a detectable physical quantity. The binary code symbol includes a boundary binary code symbol having a perimeter constructed of line segments and at least a core code symbol that provides encoded data. The core code symbol is nested within and concentric with the boundary binary code symbol. A method of measuring strain on an object directly using the non-linear strain gage is also provided.

Non-linear strain gage incorporating a nested binary code symbol

A two-dimensional matrix code containing dark and light square data modules, and a finder pattern of two bars of alternating dark and light square data modules on the perimeter of the symbol for indicating both orientation and printing density of the symbol, wherein all of the data modules are the same dimension and data is encoded based on the absolute position of the dark modules within the matrix, and inner and outer bars are provided along adjacent sides of the matrix code symbol, each bar having a width equal to the square data modules. In one embodiment, the inner and outer bars are solid. In another embodiment, the inner solid is bar and the outer bar is an encoding bar.

Two dimensional bar code having increased accuracy

A binary code symbol for non-linear strain measurement that can be constructed in any geometric shape having a solid, continuous perimeter containing straight line segments. The symbol includes finder cells to 'orient' the symbol in order to associate strain measurements with physical dimensions; and contains encoded data in 'data regions' and/or &#x201c;utility regions.&#x201d; The data and utility regions can be distinct and separate, combined, exclusive (i.e. data regions and no utility regions, or utility regions and no data regions), or omitted. The data &#x201c;density&#x201d; can be varied depending upon the application, by varying the number of distinct data or utility cells present in the data regions or utility regions.

Multi-format, binary code symbol for non-linear strain measurement

A nested binary code symbol () comprising a boundary binary code symbol () and at least a core code symbol () that provides encoded data, wherein the core code symbol () is nested within and concentric with the boundary binary code symbol () The boundary binary code symbol () is rectangular with a continuous outer perimeter, two data regions along adjacent sides of the rectangle, and a utility region adjacent each side opposite the data regions. Each data region is made up of a number of data cells, and each utility region is made up of utility cells with alternating appearance. There are two distinct finder cells on opposite corners of the rectangle, which can be used to orient the symbol. A non-linear strain gage for measuring the strain on an object under load include a target, a sensor, and a computer, wherein the target is a nested binary code symbol ().

Nested binary code symbol

The bands and corners of rectangular or other geometric shapes for binary code symbols are used to measure non-linear and non-uniform strain in a material with an anomaly such as a crack in the area of strain measurement. In particular, they can be used to evaluate differential strains in the regions of the bands and corners; and the external and internal boundaries can be used to measure differentials in strain between the external boundaries and internal boundaries.

Differential non-linear strain measurement using binary code symbol

A binary code symbol for non-linear strain measurement designed specifically for perimeter-based deformation and strain analysis. The symbol is rectangular with a continuous outer perimeter, two data regions along adjacent sides of the rectangle and a utility region adjacent each side opposite the data regions. Each data region is made up of at least two rows, each of which is made up of a number of data cells, and each utility region is made up of at least two rows, each of which is made up of utility cells with alternating appearance. There are at least two distinct finder cells on opposite corners of the rectangle, which can be used to orient the symbol. A non-linear strain gage for measuring the strain on an object under load in accordance includes a target, a sensor, and a computer, wherein the target is a binary code symbol.

High density, rectangular binary code symbol

A binary code symbol for non-linear strain measurement designed specifically for perimeter-based deformation and strain analysis. The symbol is rectangular with a continuous outer perimeter, two data regions along adjacent sides of the rectangle and a utility region adjacent each side opposite the data regions. Each data region is made up of a number of data cells, and each utility region is made up of utility cells with alternating appearance. The inner half of the utility regions can be used to store auxiliary information and/or codes. There are two distinct finder cells on opposite corners of the rectangle, which can be used to orient the symbol. A non-linear strain gage for measuring the strain on an object under load in accordance includes a target, a sensor, and a computer, wherein the target is a binary code symbol.

Binary code symbol for non-linear strain measurement and apparatus and method for analyzing and measuring strain therewith

An optical linear strain gage includes a target, a sensor, and a computer, wherein the target contains a gage length defined by end points. The target can be a one-dimensional barcode, the gage length defined between, and perpendicular to, two chosen parallel lines of the barcode. The target, including a gage length, is associated with an object such that deformation of the gage length and deformation of the object are the same; target can emit or reflect a detectable physical quantity. The sensor is compatible with and pre-processes the physical quantity from the target and provides data to the computer. The computer analyzes the data output and calculates the strain directly on the body based on the pre-processed and analyzed data. Measuring strain on an object using the strain gage includes identifying the changes in the gage length as a function of time and load applied and calculating strain.

Optical linear strain gage

A compressed symbology strain gage includes a target in the form of a symbolic strain rosette ('SSR'), the target being associated with a body for which strain is to be measured and being adapted to emit a detectable physical quantity; a sensor compatible with and adapted to pre-process the detectable physical quantity emitted by the target and output data representing the physical quantity adapted to receive signals from the target and provide output signals based thereon; a computer program or programs for analyzing the signals data output by the sensor to define the SSR; and for calculating the strain directly on the body based on the pre-processed and analyzed data. The SSR can be defined either a priori by manufacture or a posteriori by identification. A method of measuring strain on an object using the compressed symbology strain gage includes the steps of associating a SSR with an object in such a way that deformation of the SSR and deformation under load of the object bear a one-to-one relationship; identifying the changes in the SSR as a function of time and change in the load applied to the object; and translating the changes in the SSR into strain.

Compressed symbology strain gage

Machine vision is used to track nodes on the perimeter of a geometric shape associated with a body undergoing cyclic loading, the geometric shape defining a target. The movement of the nodes is related to calculate strain through principles of Finite Element Analysis. The calculated strain is used to determine fatigue damage in the body based on an equation and data obtained using strain-controlled test methods. A finite element analysis fatigue gage includes (1) a sensor to capture the total image of the target and to output data representing the total image, (2) a computer program for (a) isolating the perimeter of the target using edging algorithms and the data, (b) tracking the movement of perimeter nodes of the target as the body undergoes deformation and recording the displacement, and (c) manipulating the data on movement of the nodes using (i) nonlinear stress analysis, (ii) finite element analysis, and (iii) material properties and characteristics and an equation based on strain-controlled test methods, and (3) a data display.

Finite element analysis fatigue gage

An apparatus and method of measuring and analyzing the deformation of deformable bodies which includes a source of an electromagnetic or accoustical signal emitted from a deformable body which can be received and analyzed so that the signal can be analyzed when the body is in a reference state with the signal being subsequently analyzed when the body is undergoing or has undergone deformation with the reference state signal and deformation state signal being compared and analyzed to provide significant information with respect to various characteristics of the body.

Apparatus and method for determining the stress and strain in pipes,

A method and apparatus for measuring stress and strain associated with a pipe, pressurized vessel, structural member or deformable body containing a flaw or stress concentration utilizes a laser beam to illuminate a surface being analyzed and an optical data digitizer to sense a signal provided by the light beam reflected from the illuminated surface. One signal is received from the surface in a reference condition and subsequent signals are received from the surface after surface deformation. The optical data digitizer provides the received signal to an image processor, and the processor stores the signals and correlates the deformed image received with the reference image and then sends this correlated information to a minicomputer which performs mathematical analyses of the signal to determine stress and strain associated with the surface. The apparatus is constructed as one integral unit, and further includes a digital and tape display, as well as a television monitor and an electro-optic range indicator.

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Atlanta, GA, United States of America

Reginald I Vachon