May 14, 2009 - The US Navy (NAVAIR) awarded MicroStrain, Inc. a Phase I SBIR contract worth $80,000 to develop a wireless system to measure buffet loads on the control surfaces of in-service aircraft. The data obtained will be used for structural life tracking of individual aircraft.Structural monitoring of Navy aircraft is of critical importance as the fleet ages. The highly transient nature of buffet loading on control surfaces makes it difficult to measure using conventional sensors.
We will solve this problem by combining a network of time-synchronized wireless sensors with integrated microelectronics for static and dynamic loads sensing, data recording, communications, and energy harvesting. Our proposed sensors possess major advantages, including: sealed stainless steel packaging, full calibration prior to installation, rapid installation, and locations which enable a full computation of control surface forces and momentsh, said Steve Arms, President of MicroStrain.MicroStrain is a leading manufacturer of inertial measurement systems, micro]displacement transducers, and wireless sensing networks.
MicroStrain's sensing systems are used in a wide variety of applications, including testing new designs, controlling critical processes, navigating unmanned vehicles, and monitoring the health of structures and machines. Recognized as an innovator in the sensors industry, MicroStrain has received nine (9) Best of Sensors Expo Gold awards for its new products.
