Multifunctional load and damage sensor

摘要

Embodiments are directed to obtaining at least one sample of load or load path data from at least one piezoelectric sensor associated with a structure, comparing the at least one sample of data to at least one prior sample of data obtained from the at least one sensor, and providing a status of a health of the structure based on the comparison.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
obtaining at least one prior sample of data with a piezoelectric sensor associated with a structure, the at least one prior sample being a baseline data point corresponding to no damage to the structure; obtaining at least one sample of load and load path data from the piezoelectric sensor associated with the structure; comparing the at least one sample of data to the at least one prior sample of data obtained from the sensor, wherein the comparison includes determining a change in load magnitude and a change in load path direction between the at least one sample and the at least one prior sample; providing a status of a health of the structure based on the comparison based on load detection and damage detection with the same piezoelectric sensor; and scheduling at least one of a maintenance activity and an inspection activity based on the health of the structure.