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Published on: August 5, 2020
Design of a Large-Scale Piezoelectric Transducer Network Layer and Its Reliability Verification for Space Structures.
Yuanqiang Ren1, Jingya Tao1, Zhaopeng Xue1
1Research Center of Structural Health Monitoring and Prognosis, State Key Lab of Mechanics and Control of Mechanical Structures, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, China.
A novel large-scale piezoelectric transducer (PZT) network layer (LPNL) offers a lightweight, reliable solution for space structure health monitoring. This PZT layer technology withstands extreme space conditions, improving monitoring efficiency and consistency.
Area of Science:
- Aerospace Engineering
- Materials Science
- Structural Health Monitoring
Background:
- Piezoelectric transducer (PZT) and guided wave-based methods are effective for structural health monitoring (SHM).
- Current PZT methods face challenges in large-scale space applications due to weight, placement, and consistency issues.
- PZT layers offer a promising solution but require improved large-scale lightweight designs and reliability assessments for extreme space conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a design method for a large-scale PZT network layer (LPNL) addressing challenges in space applications.
- To develop a large-scale lightweight PZT network design and an integration strategy for enhanced performance.
- To verify the reliability of the LPNL under simulated extreme space service conditions.
Main Methods:
- A large-scale lightweight PZT network design method was adopted.
- A network splitting-recombination based integration strategy was employed for LPNL construction.
- Extreme environmental tests were conducted, including thermal cycling, vibration, impact, and overload simulations.
Main Results:
- The developed LPNL demonstrated large size, lightweight, ultra-thin, flexible, and customizable shape characteristics.
- The LPNL exhibited high reliability and functionality when subjected to extreme temperature, vibration, landing impact, and flying overload conditions.
- The proposed design method effectively overcomes the limitations of traditional PZT monitoring systems for space structures.
Conclusions:
- The developed LPNL is a highly reliable and functional solution for large-scale structural health monitoring in space.
- The LPNL technology addresses key challenges related to weight, efficiency, and consistency in space applications.
- The LPNL shows significant potential for enhancing the safety and longevity of space structures through advanced SHM.
