The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 08, 1978
Filed:
Apr. 04, 1977
Donald H Oertle, Ponca City, OK (US);
Continental Oil Company, Ponca City, OK (US);
Abstract
Early detection of cracks in nonpermeable, structural members subject to stress is effected before the cracks traverse the member by forming a plurality of cavities in the member or adjacent thereto in which a plurality of fluids at differing pressures are confined and monitored, such that a crack in the structural member penetrating between at least two cavities allows passage of fluid between the cavities and is thus detected by a pressure sensor. The apparatus and process is particularly applicable to early detection with vacuum of cracks in the heat affected zone adjacent to welds on critical stressed members of an offshore platform. A strain gauge system may be employed in conjunction with the crack detection system.