Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Tech Transfer
Composite Structure Monitoring using Direct Write Sensors, Phase I
Project Introduction
Direct Write (DW) sensors deposited directly and precisely on to complex (3D) components are proposed. Sensors proposed include strain gages and thermocouples, intended as diagnostic elements of a larger health management (HM) scheme. The sensors are deposited using a high precision derivative of thermal spray, affording them the advantages of high temperature tolerance and compatibility with coatings. Strain gages will be deposited as patches onto a range of composites, and laser micromachined to produce their characteristic resistive elements. Signal routing may be via microwelding or DW lead-lines. Thermocouples will be deposited as conformal, parallel traces of paired thermoelements, overlapping to form a junction at the location whose temperature is to be measured. The sensors, having been deposited onto substrates representative of structures on upcoming NASA space vehicles (Orion, Ares, Altair), will then be exposed to conditions similar to those anticipated for said structures, such as low temperatures for fuel tanks, biaxial stress for other pressure vessels, and thermal cycling for on-orbit and lunar exposure. The sensors, having demonstrated their diagnostic capability and compatibility with existing DAQ and HM infrastructures, would form the cornerstone of a potential Phase II continuing application-specific sensor development while expanding to tackle HM integration issues.
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Anticipated Benefits
Direct Write sensors for composites have generated considerable interest in recent years for Army and Navy rotorcraft and repair operations. Other composites applications include fuel cells for automotive applications, high speed rail, long term monitoring of infrastructure (bridges, tunnels), and certainly commercial aerospace. Next generation aircraft such as the Boeing 787 use composite materials for a number of critical structures. Monitoring of these structures is of considerable interest to the manufacturers and operators of these aircraft, particularly as neither have experience fielding such extensively composite-based systems over the timescales on which these aircraft are expected to be in service. MesoPlasma Direct Write sensors may be employed for a variety of ambient and high temperature (beyond 1000oC) applications. These are not limited to composite structures, including also metallic, ceramic and coated components. Applications for thermal and flow monitoring using these embedded sensors include measuring component temperature; insulation and heat shield integrity; blowby detection; and heat flux measurement (coaxial thermocouple-based or thermopile-based). Applications for mechanical sensors include health monitoring (as proposed herein); strain monitoring for pressurized tanks; launch load measurement; payload shock detection and measurement; and measuring deformation of shape-sensitive space structures e.g., telescopes, antennas.
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Primary U.S. Work Locations and Key Partners
| Organizations Performing Work | Role | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| MesoScribe Technologies, Inc. | Lead Organization | Industry | Setauket, New York |
Johnson Space Center
(JSC)
|
Supporting Organization | NASA Center | Houston, Texas |
Primary U.S. Work Locations
-
New York
-
Texas
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Organizational Responsibility
Responsible Mission Directorate:
- Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD)
Lead Organization:
- MesoScribe Technologies, Inc.
Responsible Program:
- Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Tech Transfer
Project Management
Program Director:
Program Manager:
Principal Investigator:
- William C Smith
Project Duration
Start: Jan 2010
End: Jul 2010
Technology Maturity (TRL)
| Start: | 3 |
| Current: | 4 |
| Estimated End: | 4 |
Applied Research
Development
Demo & Test
Technology Areas
Primary:
- TX08 Sensors and Instruments
- TX08.2 Observatories
- TX08.2.2 Structures and Antennas
Target Destination
Foundational Knowledge
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