Health Monitoring Technique for Composite Materials Utilizing Embedded                 Thermal Fiber Optic Sensors

Stewart, Anna; Carman, Greg P.; Richards, Lance

doi:10.1177/0021998305046440

Cited by 22 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…They are relatively nonintrusive, lightweight, and flexible. They respond rapidly, they can be used in harsh environments, and they are highly sensitive to both temperature and strain [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. Fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors, in particular, can be used to accurately detect localized perturbations in strain and temperature with a high degree of spatial resolution due to their compact size [ 4 , 5 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Localized Temperature Variations in Laser-Irradiated Composites with Embedded Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors

Jenkins

Joyce

Mechtel

2017

Sensors

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Fiber Bragg grating (FBG) temperature sensors are embedded in composites to detect localized temperature gradients resulting from high energy infrared laser radiation. The goal is to detect the presence of radiation on a composite structure as rapidly as possible and to identify its location, much the same way human skin senses heat. A secondary goal is to determine how a network of sensors can be optimized to detect thermal damage in laser-irradiated composite materials or structures. Initial tests are conducted on polymer matrix composites reinforced with either carbon or glass fiber with a single optical fiber embedded into each specimen. As many as three sensors in each optical fiber measure the temporal and spatial thermal response of the composite to high energy radiation incident on the surface. Additional tests use a 2 × 2 × 3 array of 12 sensors embedded in a carbon fiber/epoxy composite to simultaneously measure temperature variations at locations on the composite surface and through the thickness. Results indicate that FBGs can be used to rapidly detect temperature gradients in a composite and their location, even for a direct strike of laser radiation on a sensor, when high temperatures can cause a non-uniform thermal response and FBG decay.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Localized Temperature Variations in Laser-Irradiated Composites with Embedded Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors

Jenkins

Joyce

Mechtel

2017

Sensors

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“…23 Despite their long sensing range, FBG sensors can maintain a high resolution and can be configured to be responsive to both temperature and deformation; hence, distributed multifunctional sensing is possible with only one fiber optic cable. [24][25][26] However, neither PZT nor FBG sensors are ideal. PZT sensors are not suitable under static conditions and can suffer from crosstalk without signal conditioning circuitry of high complexity.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Enabling self-shape estimation of composite structures using distributed microfabricated strain gauge networks

Chen

Nasrollahi

Ransom

et al. 2022

Journal of Composite Materials

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In this study, smart multifunctional composites (SMC) were developed to enable state estimation of structures in terms of the deformations at distributed locations due to applied loads and temperature gradients. The SMC was composed of a carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite plate and an embedded microfabricated sensor network of densely distributed strain gauges. The microfabricated sensor network, with serpentine signal wires connecting the sensing elements, was manufactured on a 100 mm diameter silicon wafer using integrated circuit batch processing techniques. The robustness of the SMC was investigated and verified through shape estimation under mechanical loads and temperature gradients applied to the SMC. The mechanical load was applied to the SMC with fixed boundaries on four edges. The temperature gradient was applied to the SMC with simple supports on the four corners of the SMC plate by applying a uniform temperature on one side while controlling the temperature of the other side close to the room temperature. The results show that the SMC provides the shape of the deformed structure under loads with high resolution. Moreover, a numerical analysis of the SMC implemented in ABAQUS demonstrates a close correlation between the estimated deformed shape and the simulated structure allowing the potential establishment of a digital twin. The SMC can be customized based on different requirements and applications by selecting the type, number, and locations of the sensors. The shape and state of the structure obtained from the SMC during operation can be used for online control, autonomy, decision-making, and maintenance.

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“…Optical fiber sensors provide several advantages for detecting temperature or strain in polymer matrix composites [1][2][3]. They are relatively noninvasive and lightweight.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Discerning Localized Thermal Heating from Mechanical Strain Using an Embedded Distributed Optical Fiber Sensor Network

Jenkins

Joyce

Kong

et al. 2020

Sensors

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Prior research has demonstrated that distributed optical fiber sensors (DOFS) based on Rayleigh scattering can be embedded in carbon fiber/epoxy composite structures to rapidly detect temperature changes approaching 1000 °C, such as would be experienced during a high energy laser strike. However, composite structures often experience mechanical strains that are also detected during DOFS interrogation. Hence, the combined temperature and strain response in the composite can interfere with rapid detection and measurement of a localized thermal impulse. In this research, initial testing has demonstrated the simultaneous response of the DOFS to both temperature and strain. An embedded DOFS network was designed and used to isolate and measure a localized thermal response of a carbon fiber/epoxy composite to a low energy laser strike under cyclic bending strain. The sensor interrogation scheme uses a simple signal processing technique to enhance the thermal response, while mitigating the strain response due to bending. While our ultimate goal is rapid detection of directed energy on the surface of the composite, the technique could be generalized to structural health monitoring of temperature sensitive components or smart structures.

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Health Monitoring Technique for Composite Materials Utilizing Embedded Thermal Fiber Optic Sensors

Cited by 22 publications

References 8 publications

Localized Temperature Variations in Laser-Irradiated Composites with Embedded Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors

Localized Temperature Variations in Laser-Irradiated Composites with Embedded Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors

Enabling self-shape estimation of composite structures using distributed microfabricated strain gauge networks

Discerning Localized Thermal Heating from Mechanical Strain Using an Embedded Distributed Optical Fiber Sensor Network

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