3D Wire System Position and Condition Monitor Navy SBIR FY2005.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2005.1 Topic No.: N05-022 Topic Title: 3D Wire System Position and Condition Monitor Proposal No.: N051-022-0360 Firm: Luna Innovations Incorporated 2851 Commerce Street Blacksburg, Virginia 24060-6657 Contact: Fritz Friedersorf Phone: (540) 552-5128 Web Site: www.lunainnovations.com Abstract: The National Strategy for Aging Aircraft identifies major thrust areas that include: 1) Transitioning commercially developed products into an aviation environment, 2) Diagnostics/health monitoring systems, and 3) Wiring failure detection/condition monitoring. To address this need, Luna is developing a next generation 3D Wire System Position and Condition Monitor for precise 3D determination of wire system components' location (e.g. wires, harnesses, bundles) within the airframe, wire system damage, and conditions that lead to damage. This system enables 3D visualization of the installed wire system, monitoring for proper routing as part of installation and changes in routing associated with personnel, cargo and maintenance activity, and the development of truly interactive wire system diagram and analysis tools. The system will incorporate health monitoring with automated sensor validation, alarm generation and the capability to forecast degradation so users can react prior to system failure Luna's 3D Wire System Position and Condition Monitor will provide aircraft maintainers a critical tool to accelerate installation, testing, and maintenance of wire systems. This system will ultimately improve fleet readiness, reduce life cycle costs and enhance aircraft safety. Benefits: The cost of wiring maintenance is manhours, parts, and nonavailability of aircraft. The additional cost of maintenance is that in many cases, repairs do not return the wire to its original condition. Electrical wiring damage can be increased by frequent maintenance/repair activities in and around the wire harness. Early detection and precise 3D localization of wire fatigue will dramatically reduce the cost of repairs while improving air safety. Repair cost will decrease due to simplified and more effective repairs. Safety will be improved through detection of wire fatigue and fault prior to fire or equipment failure. Additionally, this work in health monitoring implies potential incorporation of this technology in most high end military systems including aircraft, spacecraft, armored vehicles, and marine and architectural structures. Return