A Wireless Sensor to Monitor Generator Control Unit and Main Power Relay Health

Sporian proposes to develop a wireless sensor suite for rotorcraft Generator Control Unit (GCU) and Main Power Relay (MPR) health monitoring. This sensor suite will monitor the GCU for changes in component characteristics (e.g. resistance of relay contacts), temperature, vibration extremes, voltage surges, and other factors that will indicate the unit is close to the end of its serviceably life. The complete data set will be logged, analyzed for prognostic and diagnostic estimations, and wirelessly transmission to maintenance personnel and/or a Health Monitoring and Usage System (HUMS) mounted on the rotorcraft. This system will also assist with Condition Based Maintenance CBM by indicating to maintenance personnel when an GCU system could fail. Phase I efforts will focus on defining the system requirements, evaluating competing system options, developing an initial design for the system, and prototyping and demonstrating critical aspects of the system in a laboratory environment on actual or representative GCU components. Sporian will work with Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Laboratory and Titanium Mirror, Inc. on the proposed effort.