Patent ID: 8237548
Filing Date: 2012-08-07
Classification: G01M

Abstract:
1. A structural health management device comprising: a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag comprising processing circuitry and an antenna configured to facilitate offboard communication; and at least one sense line communicably coupled to the RFID tag and configured to extend at least partially along a workpiece, wherein the at least one sense line includes a plurality of discrete first portions comprised of a material that dissolves in the presence of moisture and spaced apart along the at least one sense line and a plurality of discrete second portions positioned between and connecting the first portions and formed of a conductive material that does not dissolve in response to moisture, wherein the first portions of the at least one sense line are positioned along respective portions of the workpiece that are sensitive to moisture and the second portions of the at least one sense line are positioned along respective portions of the workpiece that are insensitive to moisture; wherein the processing circuitry of the RFID tag is configured to interrogate the at least one sense line to determine a change in continuity of the at least one sense line indicative of a change in structural health of the workpiece.