Rotary Wing Dynamic Component Structural Life Tracking with Self-Powered Wireless Sensors Navy SBIR FY2008.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2008.1 Topic No.: N08-006 Topic Title: Rotary Wing Dynamic Component Structural Life Tracking with Self-Powered Wireless Sensors Proposal No.: N081-006-0524 Firm: KCF Technologies, Inc 112 W. Foster Ave Suite 1 State College, Pennsylvania 16801 Contact: Jacob Loverich Phone: (814) 867-4097 Web Site: www.kcftech.com Abstract: KCF Technologies is proposing to develop a novel tool for tracking the fatigue life of rotorcraft components. The tool will consist of a suite of wireless data acquisition sensors, diagnostic and prognostic fatigue life algorithms, and a data management system for storing and accessing component status and projected life. Environmental and usability factors for the sensor system necessitate wireless communication to the nodes. An essential part of enabling such a system is piezoelectric power harvesting. In Phase I, KCF will carry out preliminary hardware demonstrations showing the feasibility of implementing an autonomous sensor system for storing component fatigue life data, evaluate and propose updates to current HUMS diagnostic and prognostic algorithms, and assess the feasibly of implementing a global data management system. Benefits: Assessment of the health of dynamic components and management of their past, current, and projected fatigue life will provide significant benefits to the Navy's rotor wing fleet. Establishing a system for accomplishing this goal will extend the life of components, reduce maintenance cost, and improve aircraft safety. Although current HUMS can monitor the health of components, a unified system for associating the current condition and past history with a particular part is not possible. For this system to be accurate, adaptable, and efficient for maintenance crews, the system must be able to accommodate replacement and movement of components from one rotorcraft to another. This scenario necessitates storing information locally on each operation critical component. In addition, a global information database is required to both assess the health of individual rotorcraft and to update maintenance policies and increase rotorcraft life. Return