Wireless Communications with Electromagnetic Sensor Networks for Nondestructive Evaluation

"Many aircraft components that were originally designed to last the design life of aircraft without experiencing cracking are now failing in service as a result of corrosion and fatigue damage. These components are often in difficult-to-access locations.This proposal addresses the need for wireless communication with networks of leave-in-place nondestructive evaluation sensors for inspection of such locations. Eddy current sensors, in particular, have proven most sensitive and reliable for many aircraftNDE requirements. Surface mountable, conformable eddy current sensors, called MWM-Arrays, have been successfully demonstrated for detection of early stage cracking and monitoring of fatigue cracks in fatigue tests. This has been demonstrated both onexternal surfaces and between metal layers. These sensors are also suitable for monitoring of corrosion fatigue. This Phase I will include detailed design of a wireless eddy current sensor network and assessment of the feasibility of implementing such anetwork on Navy aircraft. In Phase II, a prototype system including miniaturized sensor electronics and wireless communication will be fabricated and tested. This system will reduce the costs of labor intensive inspections of difficult-to-accesslocations by reducing or eliminating required disassembly and surface preparation. It will also provide easier access to near real-time condition assessment information. Wireless communication to