SBIR-STTR Award

Intelligent Fiber Optic Systems and Auburn University propose a Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) integrated Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) sensor system capable of providing in-situ crack detection, location and quantification of damage, as well as validating structural models, using recent advances in non-contact, non-destructive dynamic testing of composite structures. The key innovation is an FBG-based SHM system for detecting, locating and quantifying crack and de-lamination in composite structures such as smart, composite jet engine vanes with embedded FBG sensor systems. These new techniques make it possible to analyze complex structures not only non-destructively, but also without physically contacting or implanting electrical elements into test samples. The state-of-art FBG sensor system will be capable of measuring strains, stress, temperature and pressure and monitor damage to the structure under test at the same time at wide temperature ranges. IFOS and its university research collaborator will investigate the feasibility of such multi-functional FBG sensors with great potential for SHM. Advanced signal processing, system identification and damage identification, location and quantification algorithms will be applied. Potentially, the solution could evolve into an autonomous onboard monitoring system to inspect and perform Non-Destructive Evaluation and SHM.

Potential NASA Commercial Applications:
(Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words) The proposed project has direct NASA applications in the following areas regarding aerospace vehicles and structures: oAutomated Nondestructive Evaluation of fault development in structural components: oIntegrated Vehicle Health Monitoring (IVHM)oFlight control System• Real-time autonomous sensor validity monitors oMonitor statistical manufacturing, assembly process and control; internal temperature and pressure monitoring of composite materials during the curing process; composite bonded repairs; sandwich structures; gun barrel; reusable launch vehicles; burst testing of pressure vessels and tanks; aero propulsion flight testsoSelf-monitoring structures with alarm and abort capabilities

Potential NON-NASA Commercial Applications:
(Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words) For aerospace vehicle health monitoring applications, this fiber sensor network and method will significantly increase the sensing capability, extending the applicability of grating-based fiber-optic sensors systems and at low cost, as well as enabling a dynamically configurable deployment of embedded transducers into a structure. Further applications include instrumentation for jet turbines and Flight Control Systems, oil exploration, marine structures and nuclear power plants requiring real-time control and monitoring, and critical infrastructure monitoring for homeland security. NASA's technology taxonomy has been developed by the SBIR-STTR program to disseminate awareness of proposed and awarded R/R&D in the agency. It is a listing of over 100 technologies, sorted into broad categories, of interest to NASA.

Technology Taxonomy Mapping:
Launch and Flight Vehicle Sensor Webs/Distributed Sensors

In Phase 1, Intelligent Fiber Optic Systems (IFOS) successfully demonstrated a Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) based integrated Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) sensor system capable of providing in-situ crack detection, location, damage quantification and validation of structural models. The system offers advanced features to perform non-contact, non-destructive dynamic testing of composite structures. Tests were successfully carried out on composite coupons produced to mimic smart composite parts such as aircraft wings and jet engine vanes. The key innovation and achievement is an advanced system that monitors up to 48 ultra-sensitive FBG strain and temperature sensors at up to an unprecedented 1.0MHz, with damage identification, location and quantification algorithms. This represents a significant advancement in the state-of-the-art, enabling for the first time, the analysis of very high-frequency dynamic events for SHM. During Phase 2, IFOS will further develop the system and deliver a prototype complete with an instrumented wing test article to NASA for independent testing. IFOS will continue to work with its commercial partners to address applications in engine vanes and market opportunities where the technology has a significant advantage. The solution could potentially evolve into an autonomous onboard monitoring system to inspect and perform Non-Destructive Evaluation and SHM of high-value assets.

Potential NASA Commercial Applications:
(Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words) A structural health monitoring system attached to the aircraft structure, in the areas susceptible to fatigue and impact damage, provides the dynamic data that can reliably indicate the health status of the aircraft structure in real-time. This project has direct NASA applications in the following areas: •UAVs such as Ikhana (Predator B) •NASA support of Air Transportation Security programs •Automated Nondestructive Evaluation for faulty structural components •Integrated Vehicle Health Monitoring (IVHM) •Flight control System with real-time autonomous sensor validity monitors •Monitoring manufacturing, assembly process and control; composite materials for internal temperature and pressure during the curing process; composite bonded repairs; sandwich structures; gun barrels; reusable launch vehicles; pressure vessels and tanks during burst testing; aero propulsion flight tests, etc. •Self-monitoring structures with alarm and abort capabilities •Pyrotechnic test and data acquisition for shock response spectrum analysis.



Potential NON-NASA Commercial Applications:
:
(Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words) A low-cost FBG-based fiber-optic sensor system will provide high-speed SHM for military and commercial aerospace vehicle health monitoring. Further applications include jet and flight control testing, wind turbines, oil exploration, ship structures, nuclear power plant, pipe and critical infrastructure monitoring for e.g. homeland security, safety or general maintenance. IFOS is in talks with Knight Carver Wind Group, a leading international wind turbine blade manufacturer to apply its technology to condition monitoring in wind turbine blades. There are remarkable similarities between the needs of the aviation industry given they both use composites under significant stress cycles over extended temperature ranges and on complex geometries. At the appropriate price point, a major application of the IFOS technology would be in the condition monitoring of wind turbine blades and other parts. Success in the commercialization of this innovation will enable IFOS to expand and employ additional engineering, marketing and support staff.

Technology Taxonomy Mapping:
(NASA's technology taxonomy has been developed by the SBIR-STTR program to disseminate awareness of proposed and awarded R/R&D in the agency. It is a listing of over 100 technologies, sorted into broad categories, of interest to NASA.) Aircraft Engines Airframe Autonomous Control and Monitoring Composites Computer System Architectures Data Acquisition and End-to-End-Management Highly-Reconfigurable Intelligence Multifunctional/Smart Materials Operations Concepts and Requirements Optical Optical & Photonic Materials Photonics Portable Data Acquisition or Analysis Tools Sensor Webs/Distributed Sensors Simulation Modeling Environment Software Tools for Distributed Analysis and Simulation Structural Modeling and Tools Testing Facilities Testing Requirements and Architectures Ultra-High Density/Low Power