Patent ID: 11890852
Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
Field: Measurement (Instruments)
Classification: CPC B  G | IPC B  G

Claim 11:
12. A method for detecting damage in a polymer-matrix fiber-reinforced composite structure, the structure comprising a plurality of layers each comprising a polymer-matrix composite, the plurality of layers comprising a first layer, wherein the first layer comprises a first polymer-matrix and a first fluorescent agent interspersed through the first polymer-matrix, the structure being configured such that damage to one of the layers results in a change in fluorescence observable from the at least first layer at the point of damage, the method comprising:
applying light having a wavelength selected to induce fluorescence in the first fluorescent agent to the polymer-matrix fiber-reinforced composite structure;
detecting a detected fluorescence pattern; and
comparing the detected fluorescence pattern to a predetermined normal fluorescence pattern without damage.