IP Library Granted Patent US 8,490,473
Granted Patent B2
US 8,490,473 · App. 12/444,727 · Granted Jul 23, 2013

Production method of a sensor film

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,490,473
App. No.
12/444,727
Granted
Jul 23, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present invention relates to a production method for producing a sensor film for measuring cracks of a material surface using the comparative vacuum measurement method. A gallery having a predetermined gallery course is milled along a surface of the sensor film using a milling apparatus. The sensor film comprises a plastic material.

Claims (67)

1. A method for producing a sensor film for measuring cracks in a material surface using a comparative vacuum measurement method,

the method for producing the sensor film comprising:

applying a sensor film comprising a plastic material on a tempering surface;

hardening the sensor film by tempering the sensor film at a first temperature for a first time interval;

cooling the tempered sensor film for a second time interval to an ambient temperature; and

milling at least one first gallery having a first predetermined gallery course along a surface of the sensor film using a milling apparatus.

2. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

applying the sensor film on a vacuum table; and

generating a vacuum to fasten the sensor film on the vacuum table.

3. The method according to claim 1 ,

wherein the milling apparatus mills the at least one first gallery using high-speed milling;

wherein a speed of the milling apparatus is 19,000 to 21,000 rpm.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein

the first temperature is from about 280° C. to about 320° C. and the first time interval is from about 8 minutes to about 12 minutes.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein

milling the gallery occurs in such a way that a through channel having a predetermined gallery course is formed along the sensor film, the method further comprising

applying a sealing layer on one side of the through channel.

6. The method according to claim 5 further comprising applying a sealing layer on one side of the through channel.

7. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

blowing off milling chips from the sensor film arising during milling using a blowing nozzle; and

cooling the sensor film during the milling using the blowing nozzle.

8. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

removing milling chips arising during milling using a suction apparatus; and

cooling the sensor film during the milling using the suction apparatus.

9. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

applying a surface seal, selected from the group consisting of a metal varnish and a lacquer seal, in the gallery.

10. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

milling a second gallery having a second predetermined gallery course along a surface of the sensor film using the milling apparatus.

11. The method according to claim 10 ,

wherein the second gallery having the second predetermined gallery course is milled parallel to the first predetermined gallery course of the at least one first gallery.

12. The method according to claim 1 ,

wherein the plastic material comprises a polyimide material.

13. The method according to claim 1 ,

wherein the first predetermined gallery course is selected from the group consisting of linear and curved gallery courses.

14. The method according to claim 1 , wherein

milling the first predetermined gallery shape of the at least one first gallery is accomplished using a boring-milling tool of the milling apparatus.

15. A sensor film for measuring cracks of a material surface using the comparative vacuum measurement method,

wherein the sensor film is produced by a method comprising:

applying a sensor film comprising a plastic material on a tempering surface;

hardening the sensor film by tempering the sensor film at a first temperature for a first time interval;

cooling the tempered sensor film for a second time interval to an ambient temperature; and

milling at least one first gallery having a first predetermined gallery course along a surface of the sensor film using a milling apparatus.

16. A testing method for testing surface cracks of a component using the comparative vacuum measurement method,

wherein a sensor film produced using a production method, is used for the testing;

wherein the testing method comprises:

applying an adhesive layer having an adhesive to a sensor film surface;

applying the sensor film to a component surface;

providing a vacuum atmosphere in the gallery; and

measuring a change of the vacuum atmosphere in the gallery using a measuring device; and

wherein the production method comprises:

applying a sensor film comprising a plastic material on a tempering surface;

hardening the sensor film by tempering the sensor film at a first temperature for a first time interval;

cooling the tempered sensor film for a second time interval to an ambient temperature; and

milling at least one first gallery having a first predetermined gallery course along a surface of the sensor film using a milling apparatus.

17. The testing method according to claim 16 , further comprising

applying ambient air to the second gallery.

18. The testing method according to claim 16 ,

wherein the adhesive is laminated on the sensor film.

19. The testing method according to claim 16 ,

wherein the adhesive is sprayed on the sensor film.

20. The testing method according to claim 16 , further comprising:

rolling the sensor film onto the component using an electrical rolling device.

21. An aircraft comprising a sensor film for measuring cracks in a material surface using a comparative vacuum measurement method, wherein the sensor film is produced by a method comprising:

applying a sensor film comprising a plastic material on a tempering surface;

hardening the sensor film by tempering the sensor film at a first temperature for a first time interval;

cooling the tempered sensor film for a second time interval to an ambient temperature; and

milling at least one first gallery having a first predetermined gallery course along a surface of the sensor film using a milling apparatus.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 31, 2011
From: AIRBUS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
To: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
Reel/Frame 026360/0849 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 30, 2009
From: BOCKENHEIMER, CLEMENS; KOHL, PETER
To: AIRBUS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
Reel/Frame 022895/0903 →