Wireless Torque Sensor for Condition Based Maintenance

In recent years, the need for highly reliable, durable and non-intrusive systems for monitoring the health condition of naval structures becomes more and more recognized. Of particular importance is the condition based maintenance of Navy rotating machinery (motors, generators, pumps, gear systems, etc.). Such Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) systems should be able to detect failures in their early stages so that the repairs would be less expensive or, even better, it should be able to predict the critical conditions so that preventive actions can be taken to avoid possible damage. Albido proposes a novel system capable of structural health monitoring, particularly of measuring high-bandwidth torque of naval rotating machinery operating in extreme environments, which uses wireless true passive sensors. Albidos sensors will be able to make both static and dynamic torque measurements on small or large shafts. Due to its small thickness and low weight, Albidos sensors can be used on moving structures without disturbing the aerodynamic properties. The proposed system is low cost, low maintenance, reconfigurable, adaptive, scalable, easy to install on new or existing structures, and does not disrupt the environment.