System and method for determining structural characteristics of an object
Inventors
Earthman, James C. • Sheets, Cherilyn G. • Ghosh, Dipankar • Berger, John Wallace
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9869606-B2
Publication Date
2018-01-16
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 structural characteristics as defined herein may include vibration damping capacities, acoustic damping capacities, structural integrity or structural stability.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a device and a system for determining structural characteristics of an object using a non-destructive percussion/impact-based approach. The device includes a housing having an open end and a longitudinal axis, and a sleeve protruding from the open end and adapted for resting directly against the object with at least a resting portion of the open end. Within the housing, an energy application tool is mounted for movement between a resting configuration and an active configuration, where the active configuration is an extended form of the resting configuration.
To produce the percussion/impact response while maintaining repeatable positioning, a drive mechanism supported inside the housing moves the energy application tool between the resting and active configurations. The energy application tool passes through a sensor located inside the housing, and the sensor is adapted for sensing an amount of a contact force when the sleeve rests on the object. In the described system, the sensor monitors an amount of a force between the sleeve and the object during measurement while the energy application tool passes through the sensor.
The invention further addresses measurement integrity and contamination reduction through a disposable feature that envelops at least a portion of the device. The disposable feature has a retracted form and an extended form adapted for accommodating the resting and active forms of the energy application tool during measurement, and refinements include a disposable membrane and/or a separable tip and sleeve arrangements that are configured to accommodate tool movement. Additional system refinements include a measuring device coupled to the energy application tool and output mechanisms connected to the sensor, and the document also describes structural characteristic determination using monitored force and/or measured response profiles.
Claims Coverage
The document includes three independent claim sets covering a device with force sensing during sleeve contact, and two system configurations that add a disposable feature accommodating resting and active motion and a measuring device coupled to the energy application tool. The claim structure is built around repeated energy application using a sleeve-resting percussion arrangement, force monitoring via a sensor while the energy application tool passes through the sensor, and measurement of structural characteristics with disposable contamination-reduction features that accommodate tool motion.
Sleeve-resting housing with open end and longitudinal axis
A housing having an open end and a longitudinal axis; and a sleeve protruding from the open end and adapted for resting directly against the object with at least a resting portion of the open end.
Energy application tool moved between resting and active extended forms
An energy application tool mounted inside the housing for movement between a resting configuration and an active configuration, where the active configuration is an extended form of the resting configuration; with a drive mechanism supported inside the housing adapted for moving the energy application tool between the resting and active configurations.
Force sensor for sensing contact force while energy tool passes through sensor
A sensor located inside the housing adapted for sensing an amount of a contact force when the sleeve rests on the object, the energy application tool passing through the sensor.
Disposable feature with retracted and extended forms accommodating resting and active tool motion
A disposable feature for enveloping at least a portion of the device, having a retracted form and an extended form adapted for accommodating the resting and active forms of the energy application tool during a measurement.
Measuring device coupled to the energy application tool
A measuring device coupled to the energy application tool for determining structural characteristics.
Across the independent claims, the inventive coverage centers on a sleeve-resting open-end housing with a movable energy application tool between resting and active extended forms, a sensor inside the housing that senses force while the tool passes through the sensor, and in the independent system claims additional features including a disposable enveloping element with retracted and extended forms and a measuring device coupled to the energy application tool.
Stated Advantages
Measurement integrity and contamination reduction.
Documented Applications
Dental health applications including detecting cracks, microleakage, decay, and implant osseointegration/biomimetics as described in the document.
Industrial/composite structure applications including defect detection in layered honeycomb composites as described in the document.
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