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:
Jun. 26, 2012
Filed:
Jul. 31, 2008
Mehdi Amiri Darehbidi, Baton Rouge, LA (US);
Michael M. Khonsari, Baton Rouge, LA (US);
Mehdi Amiri Darehbidi, Baton Rouge, LA (US);
Michael M. Khonsari, Baton Rouge, LA (US);
Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, Baton Rouge, LA (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus are disclosed for predicting the service life of a metallic structure subjected to cyclic loading. Such structures experience fatigue, which can lead to failure after a number of loading cycles. The disclosed invention allows for an accurate prediction of the number of cycles to failure for a metallic structure by observing the slope of the rise in surface temperature of the structure after the cyclic loading has begun. The method of this invention provides early and accurate predictions of service life and does not require destructive testing. The method and apparatus of the present invention may be installed on working equipment, thus providing service life predictions for materials in real world use. The invention uses an empirically derived relationship that was confirmed using analytical relationships and material properties. The derived formula uses two constants that may be determined empirically using a disclosed process. The constants also may be estimated mathematically. The apparatus may include a wireless temperature sensor mounted on the metallic structure of interest and a data analysis unit to perform the needed calculations.