Development of sensor technology to facilitate in-situ measurement of damgae in composite materials for spacecraft applications

Matthew Charles Mowlem; Alan Chambers; John P. Dakin

doi:10.1117/12.424400

6 April 2001 Development of sensor technology to facilitate in-situ measurement of damgae in composite materials for spacecraft applications

Matthew Charles Mowlem, Alan Chambers, John P. Dakin

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 4234, Smart Materials; (2001) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.424400
Event: Smart Materials and MEMS, 2000, Melbourne, Australia

Abstract

Spacecraft inhabit an environment, which presents many hazards to their structural integrity and continued operation, and are intrinsically expensive to repair. Naturally-occurring micrometeoroids and debris from previous missions can both produce significant impact damage, particularly in advanced materials such as carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP). A sensor capable of recording impact events, and measuring the extent of the damage caused, would therefore be a useful tool in minimizing the risks and cost of spacecraft operation. This paper considers the use of multiplexed optical fiber Bragg grating based sensors for use in this application. It is envisaged that sensors should be used to optimize replacement schedules and prevent service failure. The interrogation systems have been developed as collaborative research between the Optoelectronics Research Centre and the Department of Engineering Materials at the University of Southampton, also involving a number of external collaborators (including ESA, and, in the UK, the following: DERA, Sensor Dynamics, NERC, and DTI). We utilize superluminescent erbium doped fibers as the light source and an acousto-optic-tuneable filter (AOTF) as the wavelength-selective element. Our latest developments in interrogation technology result in the creation of a high speed, high-resolution multiplexed sensor. This technology shows promise for assessing impact damage caused by low, high and hypervelocity impacts. The potential for counting and characterization of impinging particles from strain sensor readings (both transient and residual) is discussed.

Citation Download Citation

Matthew Charles Mowlem, Alan Chambers, and John P. Dakin "Development of sensor technology to facilitate in-situ measurement of damgae in composite materials for spacecraft applications", Proc. SPIE 4234, Smart Materials, (6 April 2001); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.424400

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

;

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available

Members: $17.00

Non-members: $21.00 ADD TO CART

PROCEEDINGS
8 PAGES

DOWNLOAD PAPER SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

GET CITATION

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Get copyright permission Get copyright permission on Copyright Marketplace

KEYWORDS

Sensors

Space operations

Multiplexing

Composites

Optical filters

Fiber Bragg gratings

Optical amplifiers

Show All Keywords

Keywords/Phrases

Search In:

Publication Years