M. Zawodniok, J. Sarangapani, J. Fonda, J. Birt, S. Watkins, University of Missouri-Rolla, Rolla, MO

Summary:

Wireless sensor networks (WSN) can provide observability to many systems while featuring rapid deployment and reconfiguration capability without associated cabling. In the manufacturing environment, WSNs can provide asset tracking, part prognostics during assembly/fabrication phases, overlay monitoring of equipment for diagnostic purposes, and instant access to data on multiple computer architectures. In particular, WSNs can provide in real-time in-situ structural monitoring and prognostics capability while the airframe is in service.

Strain, displacement, temperature, and chemical sensing are examples of measurands that can be easily quantified for an airframe structure. Measurement of strain and temperature provides information pertaining to structural parameters of an airframe, or airframe component. In this work, a WSN is deployed for observation of strain and temperature in a composite wing. Using the WSN, data is collected for structural monitoring purposes from several different locations. A novel prognostic technique is developed that can predict possible crack propagation on an airframe before a failure occurs. Experimental results concur that the proposed WSN-based prognostic technique can predict incipient failures before they happen on the airframe.