TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Materials/Processes, Sensors

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMA-251, Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment Program Office

The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals, their country of origin, and what tasks each would accomplish in the statement of work in accordance with section 3.5.b.(7) of the solicitation.

OBJECTIVE: Develop innovative sensor technology and software for monitoring the health and service life of gaskets used in catapult low loss launch valve applications.

DESCRIPTION: Aircraft are currently launched aboard aircraft carriers via steam catapults, which will be around for the next 50 years. A critical component of the steam catapult is the LLLV. To maintain a tight seal and ensure there are no steam leaks, there is a gasket in the LLLV which is located between the main head and the body of the LLLV. The gasket is placed in the recess machined in the body of the valve and held in place by the head connected to the body by bolts. The bolts are torqued up to a specified preload to assure a tight connection.

The Navy is seeking a means to monitor the health of the gaskets in mission critical equipment such as the LLLV while the gasket is in operation. Specifically, sensor technology capable of sensing loss of compression pressure is required and must be sensitive enough to indicate impending failure prior to steam leakage for use in a steam catapult prognostic and health monitoring system.

The Navy will consider proposals for both in-situ sensors (i.e., part of the gasket) and inspection tools that are not part of the gasket. Suggested (if any) modifications to the LLLV must be minimal and are subject to review and approval by the Navy. The inspection must be accomplished while the gasket is in operation. Any proposed method that requires disassembly of the LLLV will not be considered.

PHASE I: Develop a conceptual design for the sensor suite. Determine the feasibility of the proposed concept to meet requirements. Include an analysis of the feasibility to manufacture the "smart" gasket with in-situ sensors and microprocessor(s) and an analysis of power source requirements (power harvesting and re-charge) and data transmission (fault indication as well as prognostic data) to a potential condition based maintenance (CBM) system.

PHASE II: Develop a "smart" gasket lab prototype and demonstrate in a test environment representative of the catapult system aboard ship.

PHASE III: Further develop a prototype for robustness and shock testing (if applicable). Test prototype in conjunction with LLLV qualification testing. Produce units for delivery to carrier fleet and shore sites, or incorporate into LLLV gasket production (whichever applies).

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: This type of a gasket will have great utilization in the industrial equipment where the cost of the gasket is secondary to the equipment function and safety (radioactive water leaks in nuclear reactors or steam leaks in critical valves).

REFERENCES:
1. Aircraft Carrier Reference Data Manual, NAEC-MISC-06900.

KEYWORDS: Non-Destructive Inspection; Health Monitoring; MEMs; Carrier Launch Gear; Condition Based Maintenance; Smart Gasket.

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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