Patent ID: 8355830
Filing Date: 2013-01-15
Classification: G05D,G07C

Abstract:
1. A monitor system for determining a residual strength of an aircraft, the aircraft comprising a plurality of panels, and the system comprising: a plurality of sensors mounted on a first panel; and a microprocessor in communication with each of the plurality of sensors, wherein each of the plurality of sensors is configured to detect time domain data, frequency domain data, and energy domain data, and to transmit the detected time domain data, frequency domain data, and energy domain data to the microprocessor, and wherein the microprocessor is configured to process the detected time domain data, frequency domain data, and energy domain data and, when the first panel has been damaged, to use the processed data to determine (i) an approximate size of the damage and (ii) an approximate location of the damage, and to use the two determinations to further determine (i) an aircraft residual strength and (ii) a flight loading for which the determined aircraft residual strength allows further comprising a flight control subsystem, the flight control subsystem being in communication with the microprocessor, wherein the microprocessor is further configured to communicate the processed data to the flight control subsystem, and wherein the flight control subsystem is configured to use the received data to limit maneuverability of the aircraft.