Patent ID: 10866156

Abstract:
A sensing system (10) for monitoring the integrity of a structure has first and second channels (12 and 14) arranged for sealing onto a surface (16) of the structure (18) to form respective spaced apart first and second galleries (20 and 22). A fluid (F1) is in the first gallery (20) and a fluid (F2) is in the second gallery (22). A measurement system (24) measures for a change in a pressure independent physical characteristic: a) in the first gallery (20); b) in the second gallery (22); c) between the first gallery (20) and the second gallery (22); or d) a combination of two or more of a), b) and c) where the change is dependent on a mass flow of fluid from one of, or between, the sealed galleries due to a crack in the structure. The pressure independent physical characteristic of the fluid can be the conductivity of the fluid or the optical properties of the fluid.