In-Service Fatigue Loads Data Gathering with CSG

ABSTRACT: A direct sensing of stress and fatigue and their visualization is very attractive and has been pursued for decades. Prognostica is a new and unique tracking, sensing, and prognosticating technology that allows for exactly that. Based on the results achieved in the Phase I effort it is evident that the technology has excellent reliability and reflects the real-time fatigue conditions of the base structure in its entirety, not calculated values or strain readings from only one small area.Phase II will continue the advanced development of the prototype kit including all materials and hardware applicable to full scale component application. During the proposed effort, the CSG will be optimized, environmentally tested, and integrated into air vehicle components to laboratory test, investigate, and demonstrate consistent reproducibility, reliability, and accuracy of the CSG as it applies to air vehicle components operating environment. BENEFIT: The Prognostica ability to gather stress and fatigue data in a timely and non-disruptive manner will permit sampling of structural health on a far more frequent basis and thus permit accurate trend predictions, therefore providing clearer vision as to the need and timing of weapon system and vehicle upgrades.AGS intends to work together with the North American undercarriage makers, end-users and their qualified contractors during the commercialization stage as well as post commercialization activities to properly expedite and implement its developed Prognostica system. It is anticipated for the Prognostica technology to achieve an initial 0.5% market penetration in the first 3 years of commercialization following by the targeted increase to 2% over the following 7 years.An innovative use of thin flexible gauges will provide a convenient real-time look into the stress/fatigue state of any structure upon which the gauge is attached. This approach will provide many engineering sectors (Aerospace, Construction, Mining, Transportation) unparalleled visibility into the performance of their systems, thus offering significant improvements in efficiency and safety.