INSU Phase II.5"IntelliPenny"Development

In support of the H53-K"s CBM/SHM initiative under SBIR topic N05-011, IEM"s INSU (Integrated Networked Sensor Units) system demonstrated the ability to detect and track strains in laboratory components at high rates of speed, store them onboard or transmit them wirelessly. This has included the demonstration of an innovative high-speed sensor networking architecture for wireless sensor nodes, an ultra low power 2-D strain gauge, and prototypes of power harvesting devices. The INSUs offer considerable flexibility through modularity (e.g., swapping out sensor boards while retaining the main sensor core). NAVAIR, through PMA-261, indicated that similar capability was very much desired at a smaller form factor. In this Phase II.5 activity, IEM will develop the"IntelliPenny"sensor node, a literal penny-sized sensor node which will sacrifice the flexibility to focus on CBM strain monitoring exclusively, but retain the other key features of the INSU node. The IntelliPenny will incorporate a power harvesting or simple, robust wireless recharging method to eliminate the need for maintenance on these devices, which will record data in flight at high speed to detect both long-term and transient strain on rotorcraft components and transmit it only after landing to a central HUMS data collection system.