You are here

Structural Prognosis Using Intelligent Distributed Systems

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
Contract: DAAH0101CR133
Agency Tracking Number: 01SB1-0015
Amount: $98,969.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: N/A
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: N/A
Award Year: 2001
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): N/A
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
2330 Faraday Avenue
Carlsbad, CA 92008
United States
DUNS: 084899827
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 David Schaafsma
 Dir. of Sensor Technology
 (760) 930-2220
 dschaafs@ipitek.com
Business Contact
 Robert Downey
Title: Director of Finance
Phone: (760) 930-2220
Email: rdowney@ipitek.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

Detection of the onset of microstructural damage (e.g. cracks, corrosion, and delamination or debonding) and the correlation of this damage with predicted failure is not currently available in any kind of on-board system. A system of structuralprognostics using neural nets based on dynamic data could result in sizeable cost savings as well as greatly enhanced operating safety of aging aircraft, but to our knowledge has not been attempted before. We propose to develop novel artificial neuralnetworks to process and learn the structural mechanics of aging aircraft, and from this training to be able to predict needs for maintenance based on the progression of detected damage.Aging military fleets are now being asked to serve for much longer thantheir original life expectancy, and this technology could enable safe and cost-effective service life extension. In addition, this technology can be applied to commercial and advanced military aircraft, as well as to a host of complex mechanical systemsfrom bridges to ships.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

US Flag An Official Website of the United States Government