The initial target application for ARCUTS will be for use in NASA development and testing of rotorcraft, including the Large Civil Tiltrotor-2. The LCTR-2, like other tiltrotors such as the V-22, relies on torque transfer through shafts that are not only immediately attached to an individual engine but also stretch across the entire aircraft. It is vital that this capability remain intact in the event of a single engine failure, since such a connection provides the only means for the aircraft to continue flying with one functioning engine. The core smart adaptable wireless sensor (SAWS) technology will be applicable to many other NASA test and monitoring requirements besides torque monitoring.
ARCUTS specific technology applies to any rotorcraft with primary or secondary shafts with section lengths over one foot or so. As such, multiple applications will be found in military rotorcraft (V-22, CH-47, CH-53 series, and others) and in civilian rotorcraft as well. The core wireless sensor technology can be applied to many other sensors and sensor packages, such as temperature, pressure, and strain sensors which are very applicable to PHM/CBM maintenance for fixed wing aircraft, rotorcraft, and even other transportation systems. IEM has multiple contacts and business connections in the fixed-wing aircraft, rotorcraft, railroad, and commercial vehicle industries and would leverage these to bring the technology developed under ARCUTS to market.
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