METHOD FOR DETERMINING IF DETERIORATION IN STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF A PRESSURE VESSEL, A PRESSURE VESSEL, AND A STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY TESTING APPARATUS THEREFOR

摘要

A method for determining if deterioration in structural integrity of apressure vessel,having both sensor means and oscillator means affixed to or embedded in saidexteriorsurface thereof. An electrical current is provided to the oscillator means soas to cause saidoscillator means to oscillate and produce a mechanical disturbance to theexterior surface andcause a detectable natural frequency response of said pressure vessel. Theresultant naturalfrequency response is detected and recorded. After a period of elapsed time,the naturalfrequency response is again obtained. It is compared with the recorded naturalfrequencyresponse first obtained, and if there be a difference therebetween, such as ashift in thefrequencies at which the natural resonances occur, or a decrease or increasein the amplitudeof one or more of the natural frequency resonances, then a flag is raised. Anapparatus fordetermining if deterioration in structural integrity of a pressure vessel, anda pressure vessel,is further disclosed.