Wireless Hydraulic Actuator Monitor (WHAM)

To ensure constant reliable operation of mission-critical hydraulic actuators, the actuators are completely overhauled on a set schedule, which often means significant system downtime plus labor time and effort is expended overhauling perfectly functional actuators. To address these and other issues, IEM will create the Wireless Hydraulic Actuator Monitor (WHAM), a miniature wireless sensor node-based system which will be adaptable to all actuator styles and sizes. Derived from patented and patent-pending technology developed with millions of dollars in funding from Federal, State, and commercial sources, WHAM will monitor vibration, rotation or linear motion, temperature, pressure, and any other parameters of interest. Using a unique high-speed network design and on-board processing to reduce data throughput and handle bandwidth demands, WHAMs innovative ultra-low-power Wireless Monitoring Units (WMUs) will operate using energy scavenged from the environment (RF and light). Using carefully spaced relay nodes will permit WMUs to communicate with a central Data Collection and Processing System (DCPS) at virtually any distance.The WMUs will be customizable with different sensor selections and configurations, and the monitoring cycles themselves will be tailored to the use profile of each actuator for maximum efficiency.