Actuator and sensor system for composite structures

• US 20030219191A1
• Filed: 04/04/2003
• Published: 11/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: EADS Deutschland GmbH (Airbus SE)
• Original Assignee: EADS Deutschland GmbH (Airbus SE)
• Inventors: Kehlenbach, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 7,017,421 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/12
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 1/165 with acoustic surface waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 1/246 using integrated gratings, e.g. Bragg gratings
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 11/086 Details about the embedment of the optical fiber within the DUT

Abstract

An actuator and sensor system (1) for composite structures, especially carbon-fiber reinforced plastic structures (10) with piezo-ceramic actuators, particularly for active vibration dampening and/or shape control purposes, as well as fiber Bragg grating sensors (30), particularly in the form of strain measurement sensors. The piezo-ceramic actuators are designed as piezo fiber modules (20a, 20b) and the fiber Bragg grating sensors (30) are at least partially embedded in the piezo fiber modules (20a, 20b).

Claims

1. A composite structure actuator and sensor system, comprising:

at least one piezo fiber module;

at least one fiber Bragg grating sensor wherein said at least one grating sensor is at least partially integrated in said at least one piezo fiber module, in order to provide for at least one of active vibration damping and shape control of said composite structure.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the piezo fiber modules are piezo-ceramic fibers that are embedded into a polymer and are arranged substantially parallel and wherein electrodes contact and run crosswise to the piezo-ceramic fibers.

3. The system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one addition that is integrated in a structure fiber Bragg grating sensor embedded in the composite structure.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the at least one additional fiber Bragg grating sensor are routed so as to form a grid.

5. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a function generator and a signal amplifier for triggering the at least one piezo fiber module.

6. The system according to claim 5, further comprising a control unit and a process computer for controlling a function generator and a signal amplifier.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein triggering of the at least one fiber Bragg grating sensor is achieved by means of a laser, a second coupler, an optical detector and a process computer.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein said composite structure is a carbon-fiber reinforced plastic structure.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein each of said at least one fiber Bragg sensor is a strain measurement sensor.