Leak Detectors in Aircraft Systems

Leaks in aircraft fluid lines, depending on their severity, can reduce aircraft performance, compromise mission availability, or result in catastrophic loss or damage to the aircraft. Conventional monitoring technologies may not be sufficiently sensitive to allow accurate prediction of performance degradation or failure for timely preventative maintenance. Detection of small line leaks, connection point or seal leaks and communication through the PHM system can result in early warning and mitigation of potentially catastrophic aircraft fluid system failures. Miniature, low power, lightweight, low cost, smart detectors such as those made by Cyrano Sciences, Inc. installed at critical fluidic system connections, lines, or interstitial spaces in the airframe can provide a timely warning to the pilot or PHM system to service the system or take other appropriate actions. In Phase II of this SBIR, we will extend our Phase I work on aircraft fluid detection and identification using our polymer composite sensors and software and apply it to the problems of detecting hydraulic and coolant leaks in the Joint Strike Fighter. The Phase II activities will result in design and fabrication of a "looks-like, works-like" engineering prototype for functional evaluation in the laboratory and initial flight-testing.