NASA is investigating passive wireless sensor technology to reduce instrumentation mass and volume in ground testing, air flight, space exploration applications. Vehicle health monitoring systems (VHMS) are desired on all aerospace programs ensure the safety of crew vehicles. Pervasive networks facilitate VHMS Future board vehicles will be heterogeneous require active network systems. Since much has been published networks, this work focus need for Several technologies such as MEMS, SAW,...

Automated fiber placement (AFP) provides precision and repeatable manufacturing of both simple complex geometry composite parts. However, AFP also introduces the possibility for unique flaws such as overlapping tows, gaps between tow twists, lack layer adhesion foreign object debris. These types can all result in a significant loss performance final part. The current inspection method these is costly time intensive visual each ply layer. This work describes some initial efforts to...

Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) systems have been developed to help take advantage of the tailorability composite structures in aerospace applications. AFP allow repeatable placement uncured, spool fed, preimpregnated carbon fiber tape (tows) onto substrates desired thicknesses and orientations. This automated process can incur defects, such as overlapping tow lines, which severely undermine structural integrity part. Current defect detection abatement methods are very labor intensive, still...

The advent of Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) systems have aided the rapid manufacturing composite aerospace structures. One challenges that AFP bring is variability deposited prepreg tape layers, which are prone to gaps, overlaps and twists. current detection method used in industry involves halting fabrication performing a time consuming visual inspection each layer. Typical use quartz lamp heat base layer make surface tacky as it deposits another innovation discussed this paper preheated...

NASA's Advanced Composites Project is investigating technologies that increase automated remote inspection of aircraft composite structures. Therefore, microwave Frequency Domain Reflectometry (FDR) being investigated as a method enabling rapid angular orientation the tow using radiation. This work will present preliminary data demonstrating frequency shifts in reflection spectrum carbon fiber sample are indicative angle with respect to an interrogating antenna's linear polarized output.

Lithium metal batteries are prone to subtle defects such as internal dendrites, which can cause short circuits and lead catastrophic ignition. These often undetectable by battery management systems, prompting the need advance development of nondestructive evaluation (NDE) techniques for applications. Ultrasonic inspection being evaluated a means identifying flaws irregular lithium plating that be precursor dendrite formation and, ultimately, failure. Two ultrasonic approaches were compared...

This paper presents data from an innovative nondestructive evaluation (NDE) method for automated composite fiber placement fabrication. Using Infrared images of the fiber, as it was being placed, we are able to provide valuable information about quality part during Herein, discuss methodology collection and processing. The described in situ thermal NDE process is found be applicable identifying tow overlaps, gaps, twists, puckering, poor ply adhesion prior cure, thereby reducing time cost...

Under NASA's Advanced Air Vehicles Program the Transport Technology (AATT) Project is investigating flutter effects on aeroelastic wings. To support that work a new method for measuring vibrations due to has been developed. The employs low power Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) sensors. demonstrate ability of SAW sensor detect sensors were attached Carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite panel which was vibrated at six frequencies from 1Hz 50Hz. data compared accelerometer and found...

Generation Orbit (GO) is developing the GO Launcher-1 (GO-1), a single stage liquid rocket that launched from Gulfstream III carrier aircraft platform. The vehicle designed as next generation platform for hypersonic flight testing and suborbital microgravity research. To reduce mass increase payload, partnered with NASA Langley Research Center to design, analyze, optimize, fabricate tow-steered manufacturing development unit of cylindrical section oxygen tank. fabrication process using ISAAC...

Reducing the timeline for certification of composite materials and enabling expanded use advanced aerospace applications are two primary goals NASA's Advanced Composites Project (ACP). A key a technical challenge area accomplishing these is development rapid inspection methods with improved defect characterization capabilities. Ongoing work at NASA Langley focused on expanding ultrasonic simulation capabilities materials. Simulation tools can be used to guide optimal methods. Custom code...

Rapid, realistic nondestructive evaluation (NDE) simulation tools can aid in inspection optimization and prediction of inspectability for advanced aerospace materials designs. NDE may someday the design certification components; potentially shortening time from material development to implementation by industry government. Furthermore, ultrasound modeling are expected play a significant future role validating capabilities limitations guided wave based structural health monitoring (SHM)...

NASA's Advanced Composites Project is investigating technologies that increase automated remote inspection of aircraft composite structures. Therefore, microwave Frequency Domain Reflectometry (FDR) being investigated as a method enabling rapid measurement strain occurring at the first ply fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) structure using Radio (RF) Electro-Magnetic (EM) radiation. While reflectometry has been used to detect disbonds in CFRP structures, its use detecting limited. This work...

Manufacturing of advanced composites for aircraft structures requires precise layups carbon fiber tape. Currently visual inspection is the method used to determine if tape angle deviations are acceptable. Automated during fabrication would decrease times and therefore reduce costs. NASA's Advanced Composites Project investigating technologies that increase automated remote composite structures. Therefore, microwave radiation being investigated as a enabling rapid angular orientation tow...

Representative defect standards are essential for the validation and calibration of new existing inspection techniques. However, commonly used methods simulating delaminations in carbon-fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites do not accurately represent behavior real-world defects several widely-used NDE For instance, it is common practice to create a delamination standard by inserting Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) between ply layers. PTFE can transmit more ultrasonic energy than actual...