Patent ID: 7668665
Filing Date: 2010-02-23
Classification: G01H,G01M,G01N

Abstract:
1. A method of operating an interrogation system that includes a plurality of patches secured to an object, each said patch being adapted to operate as at least one of a transmitter patch for generating a diagnostic wave that propagates in the object and a sensor patch for developing a sensor signal in response to said diagnostic wave, said method comprising: arranging the plurality of patches in an undirected graph including a plurality of paths, each said path being an edge of the undirected graph and connecting two of said patches that correspond to nodes of the undirected graph; measuring, by use of the patches, a quantity associated with a diagnostic wave propagating along each said path in the undirected graph, said quantity including at least one of a time-of-arrival, an amplitude, and an energy of the diagnostic wave; comparing the measured quantity with a baseline quantity to determine a deviation therebetween, the baseline quantity being measured by use of the patches in absence of structural anomaly; and analyzing the deviation to determine an anomaly.