| US 7,500,383 B2 | ||
| Method and apparatus for monitoring the integrity of components and structures | ||
| Kenneth John Davey, Osborne Park (Australia) | ||
| Assigned to Structural Monitoring Systems, Ltd., West Perth (Australia) | ||
| Filed on Oct. 27, 2005, as Appl. No. 11/260,882. | ||
| Application 11/260882 is a continuation in part of application No. 09/905681, filed on Jul. 13, 2001, abandoned. | ||
| Claims priority of application No. PR0018 (AU), filed on Sep. 08, 2001. | ||
| Prior Publication US 2007/0107496 A1, May 17, 2007 | ||
| Int. Cl. G01M 3/26 (2006.01) | ||
| U.S. Cl. 73—49.2 | 24 Claims |
| 1. A method of constructing, and monitoring the integrity of, a permeable structure disposed in an environment containing
a fluid at an ambient pressure, said method comprising the steps of:
constructing the permeable structure of one or more elements and forming at least one cavity in or on the permeable structure,
wherein a portion of a surface of at least one of the structure elements forms a part of an internal surface of the cavity;
providing a sealant or bonding material capable of maintaining a seal under a source of a first fluid at a first pressure
greater than the ambient pressure;
placing the at least one cavity in fluid communication with the source;
coupling a high fluid flow impedance in series between the at least one cavity and the source, the impedance being sufficiently
high to create a pressure differential between said at least one cavity and said source resulting from a breach in the portion
of the surface; and
monitoring for a change in differential pressure.
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