Patent ID: 8324911
Filing Date: 2012-12-04
Classification: G01B

Abstract:
1. A method of mapping gap thicknesses between a first electrical conductor surface and a second electrical non-conductor surface, comprising: placing an array of capacitive gap thickness sensors between a structure providing the first electrical conductor surface and a composite doubler providing the second electrical non-conductor surface; the gap thickness sensors being incorporated in a blanket including a first flexible layer of dielectric material against the first electrical conductor surface and a second flexible layer of dielectric material, the array of capacitive gap thickness sensors being between the first and second layers; placing a third layer of electrical conductor material between the second layer and the second electrical non-conductor surface of the composite doubler; sensing the thickness of a respective gap between the first and second surfaces at each of a plurality of locations using a respective capacitive gap thickness sensor of the sensor array, said thickness of a respective gap sensed in an area surrounding said respective gap; collecting signals from the sensor array representing the measured gap thicknesses; and using the collected signals to generate a data file representing a two-dimensional array of gap thickness values.