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:
Jul. 14, 2009
Filed:
Sep. 27, 2007
Applicants:
Kris Edward Seitz, Bethany, IL (US);
Troy Allen Shawgo, Decatur, IL (US);
Inventors:
Kris Edward Seitz, Bethany, IL (US);
Troy Allen Shawgo, Decatur, IL (US);
Assignee:
Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US);
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G01N 19/08 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
Abstract
A method for detecting a crack in a frame is disclosed. The method includes sensing with a first pressure sensor a first pressure within a first sealed cavity. The first sealed cavity is interior to a first structure of the frame. Additionally, the method includes detecting a first change in the sensed first pressure. The method also includes determining preliminarily that a crack has formed in the first structure based on the detected change in the sensed first pressure. In addition, the method includes determining a criticality of the crack.