Carbon Fiber Sensors for Strain and Temperature Measurement of Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessels

Abstract

Previous researchers have demonstrated carbon fiber (CF) based sensors for strain/temperature measurement and health monitoring of composite structures1,2. Aurora Flight Sciences is developing this technique for the unique challenges related to qualifying and monitoring Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessels (COPVs). CF strain sensors can be placed directly within a composite structure and aligned with the fibers or directions of interest. The sensors can be configured for small area measurement, such as the polar regions where there is a complex state of stress, or for large global strains, such as boss to boss displacement or circumferential growth measurement. CF temperature sensors rely on fiber junctions which exploit the Seebeck effect. By placing junctions in a network fashion, a temperature sensing network can be constructed.