Self-Powered Wireless Acoustic Sensors for Impact Detection and Evaluation

The use of acoustics for impact detection and structural health monitoring has been proven successful. Conventional acoustic techniques require multiple acoustic sensors for the impact source location and damage interpretation. In some applications the need for complex interconnections between multiple sensors or sensor arrays and instrumentation can be a problem. For sensors used in harsh environments, wiring between the sensors and the data acquisition/analysis system could be very difficult or even impossible. Recently developed radio frequency identification (RFID) techniques are getting mature, and they offer an effective method for passive remote identification relaying on storing and remotely retrieving data using devices called RFID tags or transponders. In this proposal, Intelligent Automation Inc. (IAI) proposes an innovative wireless acoustic sensor design, which exploits the advantages of both the relaxor piezoelectric single crystal and the RFID technology for impact detection and evaluation of naval structures.