Patent Document ID: 20140012461
Application ID: 13933964
Patent Flag: 0

Claim One:
1. Method for performing diagnostics of a structure subject to loads, by a sensor arrangement which is associated with said structure and designed to detect at least one state of the structure and which comprises a matrix of sensors which are located in relevant points of the structure and each of the sensors being capable of detecting a physical parameter indicative of a local state of the structure and of emitting a respective electrical response signal correlated to a value assumed by said parameter, the method comprising, in a learning step: (a) based on a plurality of training data indicative of the state of the structure at a plurality of relevant detection points by association with at least one load condition, establishing an associative relationship between the values assumed by said parameter indicative of the state of the structure in a subset of said plurality of relevant detection points and the values of the state parameter in at least a residual relevant detection point; and in an operating step: (b) detecting the values assumed by said parameter indicative of the state of the structure in a plurality of relevant detection points in said at least one load condition; (c) based on the pre-established associative relationship, using the values assumed by said parameter indicative of the state of the structure in a subset of said plurality of detection points, estimating the values of the state parameter in at least one residual detection point; (d) comparing the estimated values and the detected values of the state parameter in said at least one residual detection point; and (e) determining an intact state of the structure if the detected and the estimated values of the state parameter substantially match, taking into consideration predetermined tolerances, or determining a defective state of the structure if said values of the state parameter differ, taking into consideration the predetermined tolerances.