IDT, SAW, and MEMS sensors for measuring deflection, acceleration, and ice detection of aircraft

Vijay K. Varadan; Vasundara V. Varadan; Xiao-Qi Bao

doi:10.1117/12.276610

19 June 1997 IDT, SAW, and MEMS sensors for measuring deflection, acceleration, and ice detection of aircraft

Vijay K. Varadan, Vasundara V. Varadan, Xiao-Qi Bao

Proceedings Volume 3046, Smart Structures and Materials 1997: Smart Electronics and MEMS; (1997) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.276610
Event: Smart Structures and Materials '97, 1997, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

Smart MEMS (MicroElectroMechanical Systems) in the form of integrated sensors and actuators offer significant potential for many rotorcraft applications. Sensing of flex beam deflection and acceleration, ice formation and deicing are major candidate areas where smart conformal MEMS based sensors can be exploited by the rotorcraft community. The major technical barrier of the present day smart structures technology is the need for wired communication between sensors and actuators in the rotating system and controllers, data storage units,a nd cockpit avionics. Many proposed sensors and actuators are commonly distributed either along the blade length or, in the active flap devices, out near the 75% blade radial station. Also they are not conformed to the airfoil shape of the rotor blades. The communication between rotating and fixed systems is typically accomplished using complex slip ring assemblies transferring electronic information down through the rotor shaft. Although advances have been made in wired communication, these complex assemblies are essentially similar to test hardware and present numerous reliability and maintainability limitations when implemented on a production scale. Considering these limitations, development of a wireless means of communication through a new generation of conformal sensors with built-in antenna, akin to telemetry, could have a dramatic beneficial payoff for rotorcraft applications.

Citation Download Citation

Vijay K. Varadan, Vasundara V. Varadan, and Xiao-Qi Bao "IDT, SAW, and MEMS sensors for measuring deflection, acceleration, and ice detection of aircraft", Proc. SPIE 3046, Smart Structures and Materials 1997: Smart Electronics and MEMS, (19 June 1997); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.276610

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available