Application of Fiber-Optic Sensors for the Aircraft Structure Monitoring

Abstract

There is a transition from periodic forms of aircraft maintenance to the “on condition” forms performing currently can be observed. Aircraft Health Monitoring system is a very important tool in the formation of “on condition” based maintenance schedule for modern commercial aircraft, which allows collecting and analyzing information about aircraft systems condition. One of the most important components of Aircraft Health Monitoring is the Aircraft Structure Condition Monitoring system, which allows detecting and conditions monitoring of various types of internal damages and mechanical stresses arising in the aircraft structure during its operation. The main advantage of the Aircraft Structure Condition Monitoring system is the absence of its influence on the mechanical and strength characteristics of the aircraft structural elements. Implementation of the system is very important due to constantly expanding possibilities of using composite materials in aircraft structure. This article proposes a method for implementing Aircraft Structure Condition Monitoring system by using fiber–optic sensors. A feature of the proposed system is the integration of sensors into the structure of the aircraft. A review and analysis of the applicability of photodetectors for the proposed system is also given.