摘要 |
A fault detection system for a fastener (224) in a machine (100) includes an ultrasonic sensor (404) that is integrated with the fastener and capable of emitting an ultrasonic signal (506) that travels through a length of the fastener (224). The ultrasonic sensor (404) receives a returning ultrasonic signal (506) and a processor (512) calculates a travel time between an emission of the ultrasonic signal (506) and a receipt of the returning ultrasonic signal (506). The processor (512) calculates an actual length (L) of the fastener (224) based on the travel time (510), compares the actual length (L) with a predetermined length of the fastener (224), and emits a wireless signal (519) to an electronic controller (612) of the machine (100) that is indicative of a structural state of the fastener (224).
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