Abstract
In this work we demonstrate the feasibility of an embedded, cheap, miniaturized active sensor node for detection of damages on laminate composite or metallic structures by means of ultrasonic guided waves (GWs). The device is meant as the basic building block of an autonomous wireless sensor network (AWSN) able to monitor the integrity of the aerostructure and locate possible damages. Each node is permanently mounted on the surface and wirelessly powered by electromagnetic (EM) waves, which are also used for communication with the base station. The electronic circuit is interfaced with an innovative, patent-pending piezoelectric transducer (piezo) capable of generating and sensing directional ultrasonic GWs in the inspected structure. Elastic waves propagating through the structure and reflected back to the piezo are recorded and processed by each individual node thanks to embedded processing functionalities to detect and locate defects. The information is then sent back to the base station for further analysis and evaluation. The results highlight that a small, lightweight and low power system can be designed with off-the-shelf hardware. The proposed system provides good reliability and accuracy and brings many advantages over current systems.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsReferences
Pisupati, P., Dewangan, S.K., Kumar, R.: Structural health monitoring (SHM): enabling technology for paradigm shift in next generation aircraft design and maintenance. Infosys white paper
Boller, C., Buderath, M.: Fatigue in aerostructure. Philos. Trans. R. Soc. A Math. Phys. Eng. Sci. 365, 2007 (1851)
Baravelli, E., Senesi, M., Ruzzene, M., De Marchi, L.: Fabrication and characterization of a wavenumber-spiral frequency-steerable acoustic transducer for source localization in plate structures. IEEE Trans. Instrum. Meas. 62(8), 2197–2204 (2013)
Bommer, J.P., Green, W.P., Lewis, D.M.: Method and apparatus for wireless aircraft communications using fuselage stringers. AU2010259160 (2011)
Testoni, N., De Marchi, L., Marzani, A.: A coin size, 40 mW, 20 grams sensor node for guided waves detection. Proceedings of SPIE NDE-Smart Structures (2015)
Acknowledgments
This work describes a research activity performed in response to the Airbus “Fly Your Ideas” 2015 Challenge. The authors gratefully acknowledge Stuart King from Airbus for the constant support and his useful comments.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding authors
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2017 Springer International Publishing AG
About this paper
Cite this paper
Corniani, A., Faccini, S., Turri, E., Testoni, N., De Marchi, L. (2017). Autonomous Wireless Sensor Network for Structural Health Monitoring of Aerostructures. In: De Gloria, A. (eds) Applications in Electronics Pervading Industry, Environment and Society. ApplePies 2016. Lecture Notes in Electrical Engineering, vol 409. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-47913-2_18
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-47913-2_18
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-47912-5
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-47913-2
eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)