Damage Tracking for Helicopters Navy SBIR FY2005.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2005.1 Topic No.: N05-011 Topic Title: Damage Tracking for Helicopters Proposal No.: N051-011-0599 Firm: MicroStrain, Inc. 310 Hurricane Lane Suite 4 Williston, Vermont 05495-3211 Contact: Steven Arms Phone: (802) 862-6629 Web Site: www.microstrain.com Abstract: The goal of this Phase I SBIR proposal is to design and build energy harvesting wireless sensing systems suitable for use aboard Navy Helicopters. The program will begin with a survey of typical vibration data obtained during flight testing; these data will then be used to optimize our existing vibration energy harvesting wireless sensors (VEWS) for use on Navy helicopters. These software programmable systems will be designed to serve a range of vehicle health management functions, such as: embedded test & evaluation (ET&E), health usage monitoring (HUMS), and structural health monitoring (SHM). During Phase I, our wireless data logging transceiver nodes will be upgraded with improved software programmable sampling modes, including high sample rate "burst" modes and lower sample rate "periodic" modes. Improved, micro-power timing capabilities shall be developed to facilitate scheduled operations under conditions of very low vibration or rest. Prototype quantities of the enhanced Phase I nodes will be produced and tested under vibration and thermal conditions which mimic the helicopter environment. In Phase I Option period, we will enable advanced digital encryption. We will also collaborate with Goodrich to develop a VEWS specification for wireless interface to existing vehicle health management systems, and identify key transition opportunities. Benefits: Sensors are an integral and critical part of vehicle health management (VHM) systems; these sensors may include strain, load, torque, pressure, acceleration, temperature, and humidity sensors. Existing VHM systems require hard wired connections for both power and communications to a central data storage & data processing location. Wireless communications has the potential to greatly reduce VHM cost and weight; but traditional wireless sensing nodes require batteries in order to operate. This Phase I SBIR program will eliminate the need for battery maintenance on helicopter platforms, and will result in the production of flexibly programmable, encrypted wireless sensing nodes for use in a range of VHM applications. The Phase II program includes the development of remotely reprogrammable embedded algorithms, and supports testing of the nodes to MIL-STDs 810 & 461. These developments will lead to the next generation of autonomous, smart wireless sensor networks, and will enable transition opportunities within the Navy and other services. We also anticipate commercial applications to emerge in areas such as VHM for heavy equipment, automotive systems, and commercial aircraft. Return