Rotor High Speed Imaging System (RHIS)

Rotorcraft tests at the National Full-Scale Aerodynamics Complex (NFAC) utilize hundreds of research data signals and rely on a real-time health monitoring system to ensure efficient and safe operation. To transfer analog signals from the rotating frame to the fixed frame, cables and a slip ring are used. Centrifugal forces and vibrations over time can fatigue wire harnesses to failure. Currently there is no way to detect the onset of a wire failure in real time unless a monitored signal becomes intermittent or is lost, which means damage has already been experienced and Lost Test Time (LTT) is incurred. To reduce LTT, a high-speed imaging system is required synchronized with the rotor hub rotation and allowing visualization of ōstillö images of the hub and its instrumentation while the rotor is spinning. To close this gap, Trex proposes the Rotor High Speed Imaging System (RHIS), which allows visual ōfreezingö of the rotor hub motion, and the display of high-resolution ōstillö images of the rotor hub and instrumentation on a television in the NFAC control room using the existing video system. Also, RHIS provides the operator with the capability to control rotational position of the rotor hub in the ōstillö images. Visualization and early detection of wiring issues in real time will allow for proactive maintenance and minimize LTT. ĀProposed RHIS will meet all requirements of the solicitation.Trex's team has more thanĀ 25 years of experience in designing, fabricating, and testing of cutting-edge electro-optical systems for a wide range of applications. They include the Celestial Compass, which has been transitioned into full rate production for two Army Programs-of-Record: Lightweight Laser Designator Rangefinder (LLDR) and Joint Effect Targeting System (JETS), an ultra-precise Geodetic Astrolabe for mapping the gravity field, and two Celestial Navigators for position determination of a moving platform in GPS-denied or degraded environments. Trex's team has a long history of delivering electro-optical systems to various government agencies including the US Army, Navy, MDA, NGA, AFRL, and NRO.Ā During the Phase-I effort, the following tasks will be performed: i) System requirements will be defined: ii)Ā Radiometry, depth-of-field, and beam divergence analysis will be performed, and system components will be selected; iii) Laboratory proof-of-principal demonstrations will be carried out; and iv) Initial design of the Phase-II fully functional system will be developed. In the Phase-II program, a ruggedizedĀ RHIS system will be designed and fabricated, installed in the NFAC facility, and interfaced into the existing NFAC video system.