Acoustic structural integrity monitoring system and method

摘要

Each of a plurality of acoustic sensors (acoustically coupled to a structure for monitoring) is connected to a network bus system via a preamplifier for capturing, processing and reporting acoustic events in a structure, for example aircraft structures. Each of the preamplifiers processes the acoustic event signals received from the sensors when an acoustic emission resulting from an acoustic event (defect in a structure, impact on the structure etc), and passes digital processed signal data relating to the detected acoustic event to a Remote Data Concentrator over the network for collation. The collated data is then stored and/or further processed (at a later time or in near real-time) to determine the source and/or location of detected acoustic emissions in the structure.

主权项

1. A system for detecting structural defects in a structure or impacts on a structure, the system comprising:
a plurality of sensors for detecting acoustic emissions in a structure, each of said sensors outputting a sensor signal dependent upon acoustic emissions resulting from structural defects in a structure or impacts on a structure; a plurality of preamplifiers, each of said preamplifiers being electrically coupled to and located local to a respective one of said sensors, wherein each of said preamplifiers is configured to receive said sensor signal, and wherein each of said preamplifiers is configured to process said sensor signal and output sensor data derived from said sensor signal in response to a detected acoustic emission resulting from a structural defect in a structure or impacts on a structure; and a remote data concentrator (RDC) electrically coupled to and located remote from said plurality of preamplifiers, said RDC being configured to receive and collate said sensor data output from said plurality of preamplifiers, wherein said RDC is configured to output a synchronization sequence and each of said plurality of preamplifiers is configured to receive said synchronization sequence and configured to adjust a local time of said preamplifier in response to said synchronization sequence, said synchronization sequence comprising: a first data packet for alerting each of said preamplifiers to a start of said synchronization sequence; a synchronization timing signal; and a second data packet comprising a master time value, said master time value defining a time at which said RDC sent said synchronization timing signal.