Algorithms for Structural Dynamics Based Fiber Optic Strain Gage Health Monitoring

San Diego Composites Inc. (SDC) will develop techniques for the reduction and analysis of fiber optic data with a focus on developing associations between frequency domain behavior and structure aging and damage. The algorithms would relate changes in frequency domain behavior to changes in material energy interaction due to quantified material property change. The algorithms will also be coupled with visualization techniques which can help show changes in structural behavior compared to the baseline. In addition, the proposed algorithms would couple with fiber optic strain gage research that SDC is performing on other SBIR programs with a focus on the development of an integrated fiber optic SHM system. SDC believes that maintaining a focus on the full-scale system helps to better shape and direct the work on each component part of the system.

SDC has developed this proposal to closely align with NASA's future mission roadmap, and to be an enabling technology for additional missions. SDC has specifically targeted the Asteroid Redirect Mission (ARM), a mission where NASA aims to redirect a near-earth asteroid into a stable orbit around the moon by removing a mass from the asteroid, as the selected technology insertion point based on NASA's developmental timeline for the mission. There are a number of critical structures associated with the ARM spacecraft and its mission objectives, including the lifting hardware, solar array support structures, and COPVs. SDC is also aware of NASA's interest in the integration of FOSGs with composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs). SDC has a number of contracts geared toward COPV development, and has been working toward FOSG integration through these contracts. SDC believes that the combination of technologies developed through the COPV contracts with the proposed algorithm development effort could yield NASA an integrated FOSG for COPV monitoring.

In addition to the listed NASA applications, this technology could be used on any structure or vehicle of interest. Any aircraft, especially those with a focus on composite structures, such as the 787, could benefit from this technology.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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