IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,613,060
Granted Patent B2
US 10,613,060 · App. 15/453,987 · Granted Apr 7, 2020

Structure evaluation system, structure evaluation apparatus, and structure evaluation method

Inventors: Hidefumi Takamine (Tokyo, JP); Kazuo Watabe (Kanagawa, JP); Tomoki Shiotani (Kyoto, JP)
Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba; Kyoto University
G01N29/4463G01N29/043G01N29/069G01N29/14G01N29/2437G01N29/2475G01N29/4454G01N2291/0232G01N2291/0258G01N2291/044
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,613,060
App. No.
15/453,987
Granted
Apr 7, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

According to an embodiment, a structure evaluation system includes a plurality of AE sensors, a signal processor, a position locator, and an evaluator. The AE sensors detect an elastic wave generated from a structure. The signal processor performs signal processing on the elastic wave detected by the AE sensors and outputs an AE signal including information on the elastic wave. The position locator derives a source distribution indicating the distribution of sources of the elastic wave generated in the structure, using an AE signal caused by an impact on the structure. The evaluator evaluates a state of deterioration of a predetermined region of the structure from a density of the sources of the elastic wave obtained on the basis of the source distribution.

Claims (22)

1. A structure evaluation system comprising:

a plurality of sensors configured to detect an elastic wave generated from a structure;

a position locator configured to derive a source distribution of the elastic waves generated, by an external impact on the structure; and

an evaluator configured to evaluate a state of deterioration of a predetermined region of the structure from a density of sources of the elastic waves obtained based on the source distribution,

wherein the evaluator evaluates a region in which the density of sources of the elastic waves is less than a first threshold value as a region in which the deterioration of the structure is occurring.

2. The structure evaluation system according to claim 1 , wherein the position locator derives the source distribution by using, as a signal of the elastic waves generated from the external impact on the structure, a signal obtained from the elastic waves at a time at which a number of detected elastic waves is a second threshold value or larger or a signal obtained from the elastic waves within a predetermined period including the time.

3. The structure evaluation system according to claim 1 , wherein the external impact on the structure is an impact generated due to colliding of numerous micro-objects.

4. The structure evaluation system according to claim 3 , wherein the micro-objects are objects generated by weather phenomena.

5. The structure evaluation system according to claim 3 , wherein the external impact generated due to the colliding of the numerous micro-objects is an impact generated by artificial actions.

6. The structure evaluation system according to claim 3 , wherein the external impact generated due to the colliding of the numerous micro-objects is an impact applied to a surface opposite to a surface at which the sensors are installed.

7. The structure evaluation system according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a signal processor that activates sensors at rest among the sensors when a number of detected elastic waves is a third threshold value or larger, wherein the sensors at rest are part of the sensors.

8. The structure evaluation system according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a signal processor that activates a sensor or sensors at rest among the sensors at a time when an event due to the external impact on the structure is expected, wherein the sensor or sensors at rest are part or all of the sensors.

9. A structure evaluation apparatus comprising:

a position locator configured to derive a source distribution of an elastic waves generated by an external impact to the structure; and

an evaluator configured to evaluate a state of deterioration of a predetermined region in the structure, from a density of sources of the elastic waves obtained based on the source distribution,

wherein the evaluator evaluates a region in which the density of sources of the elastic waves is less than a first threshold value as a region in which the deterioration of the structure is occurring.

10. A structure evaluation method comprising:

deriving a source distribution, indicating a distribution of sources of the elastic wave generated from the structure of elastic waves generated by an external impact on the structure; and

evaluating a state of deterioration of a predetermined region in the structure from a density of sources of the elastic wave obtained based on the source distribution,

wherein the evaluating the state evaluates a region in which a the density of sources of the elastic waves is less than a first threshold value as a region in which the deterioration of the structure is occurring.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 5, 2017
From: TAKAMINE, HIDEFUMI; WATABE, KAZUO; SHIOTANI, TOMOKI
To: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA; KYOTO UNIVERSITY
Reel/Frame 042417/0257 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2016-119306 · Jun 15, 2016 · national
Continuity (2)
Continuation PCTJP2017008833 · Mar 6, 2017
Related Publication 20170363586A1 · Dec 21, 2017
Cited By (1)
US 12,272,236