Propellant Health Monitoring System

To address the Navy need for a sensor capable of detecting cracks in propellant grain and transmitting the sensor data wirelessly through a hermetically sealed rocket motor case, Intellisense Systems, Inc. (ISI) proposes to develop a new Propellant Health Monitoring (PHEM) system, based on the novel integration of ultrasonic transducers as both signal generator and sensor with ultralow-power components and electronic design. Specifically, this unique integration of ultrasonic propellant-monitoring sensor and data transfer links enables PHEM to detect cracks and transfer the sensor data by telemetry through the metal walls of the sealed rocket motor case. Novel implementation of the piezoelectric sensors and actuators, low-power electronics, and supercapacitor technology supports >10 years of operation life. As a result, the PHEM system will provide reliable, long-term monitoring for the propellant-actuated devices on military aircraft. In Phase I, ISI will demonstrate the feasibility of the PHEM system by designing and fabricating a laboratory-scale prototype and demonstrating its ability to detect propellant grain cracks inside a hermetically sealed metal case and transmit the data. In Phase II, ISI plans to refine and optimize the PHEM system, develop a fully functional prototype, and demonstrate its compliance with Navy requirements.