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:
Apr. 12, 2011
Filed:
Aug. 23, 2006
Applicants:
Kenneth S. Watkins, Jr., Dahlonega, GA (US);
Shelby J. Morris, Hampton, VA (US);
Inventors:
Kenneth S. Watkins, Jr., Dahlonega, GA (US);
Shelby J. Morris, Hampton, VA (US);
Assignee:
Other;
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G01R 27/08 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
Abstract
An in-situ method for monitoring the health of a composite component utilizes a condition sensor made of electrically conductive particles dispersed in a polymeric matrix. The sensor is bonded or otherwise formed on the matrix surface of the composite material. Age-related shrinkage of the sensor matrix results in a decrease in the resistivity of the condition sensor. Correlation of measured sensor resistivity with data from aged specimens allows indirect determination of mechanical damage and remaining age of the composite component.