Patent ID: 9476815
Filing Date: 2016-10-25
CPC Classification: G01N

Claim Text:
1. A method for preventing mechanical failure of a composite material, wherein the composite material is solid-state and inhomogeneous; wherein the composite material is subject to cyclic loading; and wherein said method comprises the following steps: (a) measuring the temperature of the surface of the composite material, in the vicinity of a location of incipient mechanical failure, using a temperature sensor; (b) approximating the accumulated volumetric entropy production γ in the vicinity of the location of incipient mechanical failure of the composite material, using a processor to approximate the numerical value of γ, using a relationship that is equivalent to:  wherein t denotes the time, t′ denotes the particular time for which γ is being determined, T denotes the temperature of the surface of the composite material in the vicinity of the location of incipient mechanical failure, w denotes the rate of volumetric work of permanent deformation for the composite material, and e (c) predicting mechanical failure of the composite material when a processor determines that γ is approaching the value of γ (d) stopping the cyclic loading of the composite material, using a controller, when γ approaches the value of γ