Patent No. 10,662,535
• Self-senses of damage in a bonded, electrically conductive composite repair for metal equipment by monitoring a resistance using an impressed current cathodic protection system (ICCP) used to protect metal elements in any metal structure with an ICCP (pressure vessel, ship, pipeline). This invention is based on a direct current resistive measurement of composite bonding quality.
• This invention is unique because there are currently no simple-to-use systems to access the structural health of a composite repair. While the basic principle is known, the use of the ICCP system for repair monitoring is novel, simple, and requires no additional equipment.
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Category: Self-Healing & Damage Sensing
MAGNETICALLY GUIDED SELF-HEALING POLYMER MICROCAPSULE
Patent No. 10,179,846
Expiration Date: 06/06/2037
• This invention provides a process for making magnetic microcapsules by coating magnetic particles with a hydrophobic material, suspending them in a core material, and encapsulating them with an outer wall.
• Currently, self-healing microcapsules are incorporated into polymer structures and universally dispersed. This invention optimizes the concentration of microcapsules to minimize cost and to reduce negative impacts of the polymeric material properties. Implanting these self-healing microcapsules into a liquid polymer, guided by magnetic fields to areas of high failure probability, and cured into a solid material. Upon initiation of stress fractures, the microcapsules release self-healing agents, enabling the polymer to repair itself….
VELOCITY INDEPENDENT TWO-COMPONENT MAGNETIC FLUX LEAKAGE DETECTION SYSTEM
Patent No. 11,009,484
Expiration Date: 5/13/2037
• This invention is a device, system, and method for detecting flaws in magnetic material by using a wheeled scanner equipped with two distinct magnet-sensor arrangements.
• The invention uses two magnetic flux leakage (MFL) components to identify surface and subsurface flaws, which provide a more comprehensive assessment compared to traditional single-component MFL systems.
• The invention can be used to detect corrosion flaws in steel oil storage tanks using robotic surveying accurately and efficiently while reducing costs….