Distributed Wireless Sensor Network for Structural Health Monitoring of Ships
Navy SBIR FY2010.1


Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2010.1
Topic No.: N101-095
Topic Title: Distributed Wireless Sensor Network for Structural Health Monitoring of Ships
Proposal No.: N101-095-1166
Firm: Albido Corporation
19 Leaming Rd
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80906-4209
Contact: Viorel Olariu
Phone: (719) 357-7250
Web Site: www.albido.com
Abstract: In recent years, the need for highly reliable, durable and non-intrusive systems for monitoring the health condition of naval structures becomes more and more recognized. Such Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) systems should be able to detect failures in their early stages so that the repairs would be less expensive or, even better, it should be able to predict the critical conditions so that preventive actions can be taken to avoid possible damage. Albido proposes a system capable of structural health monitoring, particularly of measuring high-bandwidth strain and temperature of naval structures operating in extreme environments, which uses wireless true passive sensors. Albido's sensors will be able to make both static and oscillatory strain measurements on small or large areas. Due to its small thickness and low weight, Albido's sensors can also be used on moving structures without disturbing the aerodynamic properties. The proposed system is low cost, low maintenance, reconfigurable, adaptive, scalable up to more than 500 sensors, easy to install on new or existing structures, and does not disrupt the environment.
Benefits: The proposed technology allows sensors to be placed on various stationary or moving structures to monitor their structural health. The sensors are inexpensive and a multitude of them can be used and monitored simultaneously. The technology is ubiquitous, that means it is applicable to many DoD platforms (including destroyers, cruiser, amphibious ships, submarines, fighter, patrol and transport aircraft) and a wide variety of components such as gas turbine and piston engine components, transmission parts, etc. The proposed wireless technology is easy to install and reconfigure, which makes it very adaptive to any specific application. In the commercial field, Albido's sensors are attractive for structural health monitoring of commercial naval and aerospace structures and components (e.g. jet engines), power plant turbo generators, wind turbines blades and more. However, since Albido's sensors are also low cost, many consumer applications are attractive. Automotive and other industries can also benefit from this type of sensors.

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