OFS-embedded smart composites
OFDR distributed sensing for structural condition and operation monitoring in spacecraft propellant tank
A. E.S. Nosseir (Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Università degli Studi di Trento)
S. Zaremba (Technische Universität München)
E. A. Slejko (CNRIMEM - Institute of Materials for Electronics and Magnetism)
A. Cervone (TU Delft - Aerospace Engineering)
F. Di Pasquale (Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna)
C. J. Oton (Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna)
More Info
expand_more
Other than for strictly personal use, it is not permitted to download, forward or distribute the text or part of it, without the consent of the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s), unless the work is under an open content license such as Creative Commons.
Abstract
Spacecraft and launcher development has recently focused on new design concepts employing intelligent propulsion systems, enabled by advanced AI-based paradigms for operations and condition monitoring (OCM) and structural health monitoring (SHM). The main challenge, however, remains providing abundant sensing data points to ensure reliable OCM and SHM processes for effective onboard systems control. This paper presents a case study on a smart spacecraft propellant tank prototype manufactured through carbon fiber filament winding and additive manufacturing of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer, using a Distributed Optical Fiber Sensor (DOFS) system. The optical fiber sensors (OFS) embedding technique is discussed, highlighting methods to optimize temperature isolation from strain variation effects. Composite structure post-processing considerations are also addressed for compatibility with acrylate-coated fibers. Thermal test results, using a high-backscattering OFS interrogated by a Luna ODiSI-6000 OFDR system, are presented.