Larry S Lydick

US Patent:

20020112545, Aug 22, 2002

Filed:

Feb 21, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/790173

Inventors:

James Keathley - Benbrook TX, US
Larry Lydick - Fort Worth TX, US

International Classification:

G01B011/16

US Classification:

073/762000

Abstract:

The present invention provides an apparatus, system and method which enables a determination of pressure on a surface which is coated with a pressure sensitive paint which, when flashed with light, exhibits return light with a decay time constant as a function of surface pressure. The system controls a light source which is adapted to emit a train of light pulses directed at the coated surface and controls a camera adapted to collect light level data from the surface. Further, a synchronizer is used to provide timing and control of the light source and the camera in which the synchronizer enables the light source and subsequently enables the camera to collect light level data in first and second gate periods. The first gate period is set to a predetermined time period associated with a light pulse and the second gate period is set to a predetermined time period subsequent to the first gate period. A decay time constant is determined from the data collected in the first gate period and the second gate period.