System and method for determining structural characteristics of an object
Inventors
Earthman, James C. • Sheets, Cherilyn G. • Elam, John Michael • Hayman, Robert
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11493415-B2
Publication Date
2022-11-08
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present invention relates generally to a system and method for measuring the structural characteristics of an object. The object is subjected to an energy application processes and provides an objective, quantitative measurement of structural characteristics of an object. The system may include a device, for example, a percussion instrument, capable of being reproducibly placed against the object undergoing such measurement for reproducible positioning. The system does not include an external on/off switch or any remote on/off switching mechanism. The system also includes a disposable feature or assembly for minimizing cross-contamination between tests. The structural characteristics as defined herein may include vibration damping capacities, acoustic damping capacities, structural integrity or structural stability.
Core Innovation
The invention is directed to a device and system for determining structural characteristics of an object using a housing having a hollow interior, an open front end and a longitudinal axis, and an energy application tool mounted inside the housing for movement between a resting configuration and an active configuration. A drive mechanism supported inside the housing moves the energy application tool between the resting and active configurations to repeatedly apply energy to the object. The device includes a sleeve portion protruding from the open front end to contact at least a portion of the object.
The invention addresses the need to minimize direct contact between the energy application tool and the object during measurement by providing a disposable feature that envelops a portion of the device. The disposable feature includes an object contacting portion at a front end adapted for resting, contacting or pressing against at least a portion of the object, and a contact feature disposed inside the sleeve portion that freely moves or slides inside the sleeve portion along the longitudinal axis. The contact feature has a body with a substantially closed front end that substantially closes off the open front of the sleeve portion to minimize direct contact.
The invention further addresses non-destructive determination of structural characteristics by using an internal on/off switch based on detecting contact force and optionally device inclination. A sensor positioned inside the housing monitors a contact force between the object contacting portion of the sleeve portion and the object when the sleeve portion contacts the object, and the sensor is not directly physically coupled to the energy application tool. The sensor activates the drive mechanism to start a measurement when a proper force is exerted, and in one arrangement an inclinometer monitors inclination with respect to horizontal orientation to ensure the device is not outside a specified angular range.
Claims Coverage
The provided independent claims are clm-00001, clm-00008, and clm-00018. Across these claims, the inventive coverage centers on three inventive features: a disposable sleeve arrangement with a substantially closed front end contact feature, an internal on/off activation using a sensor that monitors contact force without direct physical coupling to the energy application tool, and measurement start gating using both contact force and device inclination limits.
Disposable sleeve with substantially closed front end to minimize direct contact
A device for determining structural characteristics of an object includes a housing with a hollow interior, an open front end and a longitudinal axis, an energy application tool mounted inside the housing for movement between a resting configuration and an active configuration, and a disposable feature comprising a sleeve portion protruding from the open front end and an object contacting portion at the front end adapted for resting, contacting or pressing against at least a portion of the object. The contact feature is disposed inside the sleeve portion, freely moving or sliding inside the sleeve portion along the longitudinal axis, and has a substantially closed front end for substantially closing off the open front of the sleeve portion to minimize direct contact between the energy application tool and the object during measurement.
Internal contact-force sensor activation not directly physically coupled to the energy application tool
A system for determining structural characteristics of an object includes a device having a housing with an open end and a longitudinal axis, an energy application tool mounted inside the housing for applying energy to the object with a resting and an active position, and a drive mechanism supported inside the housing coupled to the energy application tool for repeatedly moving it from the resting to the active position. The system includes an internal on/off switch comprising a sensor positioned inside the housing for monitoring a contact force between the object contacting portion of the sleeve portion and the object, the sensor not being directly physically coupled to the energy application tool, and a movable force transfer sleeve like component disposed at the front of the housing for transferring the contact force from the sleeve portion to one end of the sensor. The sensor activates the drive mechanism when the exerted contact force is in a predetermined range.
Force sensor and inclinometer gating measurement start within an angular range
A system for determining structural characteristics of an object includes a device having a housing with an open end and a longitudinal axis, an energy application tool mounted inside the housing for applying energy to the object with a resting and an active position, and a drive mechanism supported inside the housing and coupled to the energy application tool adapted for repeatedly moving it from the resting to the active position. The system includes a sleeve portion protruding from the open end for a distance with an object contacting portion at its free open end adapted for contacting at least a portion of the object, a force sensor coupled with at least a portion of the device but not physically coupled to the energy application tool positioned inside the housing for monitoring a contact force between the object contacting portion of the sleeve portion and the object, and an inclinometer positioned inside the housing for monitoring the inclination of the device in relationship to the horizontal orientation. The contact force activates the driving mechanism to start a measurement when a proper force is exerted and the device is not outside of the angular range of plus/minus approximately 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal orientation.
Across the independent claims, the core inventive elements are a disposable sleeve arrangement with a substantially closed front end contact feature to minimize direct contact between the energy application tool and the object during measurement, an internal activation logic that uses a sensor monitoring contact force without direct physical coupling to the energy application tool, and measurement start gating that additionally uses an inclinometer to ensure the device remains within a specified angular range.
Stated Advantages
Minimizes direct contact between the energy application tool and the object during measurement.
Activates measurement start when a proper force is exerted while using a predetermined contact-force range.
Starts a measurement only when the device inclination is within an angular range of plus/minus approximately 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal orientation.
Documented Applications
Determining structural characteristics of an object using a non-destructive structural-characteristics measurement system with an energy application tool and a sleeve portion contacting the object.
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