Distributed 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 Sensor Network for Structural Health Monitoring of Ships Proposal No.: N101-095-1779 Firm: Luna Innovations Incorporated 1 Riverside Circle Suite 400 Roanoke, Virginia 24016 Contact: Sandra Klute Phone: (540) 961-6725 Web Site: www.lunainnovations.com Abstract: Our nation's security requires that we maintain our position as the preeminent Naval force in the world. Hull fatigue is one of the key factors that reduce the lifetime of a ship. Hull inspection and maintenance increases the operation cost. Technology that reduces wear and tear on ship hulls, reduces unnecessary maintenance and avoids premature decommissioning will allow for cost reductions while using the most advanced technology. A system is needed that can measure the strain in a ship's hull in real time and provide warnings when the hull is approaching a predetermined strain limit. Luna Innovations Incorporated proposes to develop a distributed fiber optic strain sensing network with a lifetime greater than ten years, a sensor footprint of less than 1 square cm, a measurement range of +/-5000 microstrain, and a frequency response of at least 200 Hz over a range of 400 ft. The sensor will be comprised of a single optical fiber that is less than 0.25 mm diameter. This fiber will require no electrical connections, no batteries, and no switches. Additional benefits of the system are its small size, highly rugged design and intrinsic EMI immunity. Benefits: The proposed system will reduce the cost of hull inspection and maintenance and will be an invaluable tool that will find application in the structural health monitoring of ships as well as other Naval vessels. The flexibility and tailor-ability of the system will reduce the time required to perform specific tests and allow re-scoping experiments on the fly to investigate unexpected occurrences. In addition, the fine resolution data will enable the development and anchoring of more complex models to improve computer aided design and performance modeling, reducing the required testing, therefore reducing the cost of structural components. In addition to Naval ships, the system has applicability to other Navy assets such as the F/A-18 and JSF structures, as well as aerospace vehicles throughout the DOD from Blackhawks to F-22's, F-16's and UAVs such as the global hawk and others. The system will also benefit commercial aircraft analysis and design, and may find applicability as a permanently installed health monitoring system for commercial and military aircraft as well as in the Structural Health Monitoring of civil structures. Return