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:
Dec. 31, 2013
Filed:
Nov. 24, 2008
Robert B. Greegor, Auburn, WA (US);
Richard H. Bossi, Renton, WA (US);
Robert B. Greegor, Auburn, WA (US);
Richard H. Bossi, Renton, WA (US);
The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US);
Abstract
A device and method for monitoring the material health of a structure, providing a miniaturized MEMS Kelvin probe within a housing, wherein the Kelvin probe comprises a conductive plate formed of a stable metal and positioned substantially parallel to the structure; a piezoelectric vibrator for vibrating the conductive plate; and an electrical circuit connected to the conductive plate and the structure, wherein the conductive plate and the structure form a capacitor. The device is contained in one small, lightweight package that can be placed at one or more locations of interest. The sensor can be left in-place for continuous monitoring or for active testing at desired intervals, or be brought to the aircraft at desired intervals.