The development and evolution of an in-situ remote temperature sensing system for advanced composites manufacturing and Repa I R
Significant time, energy, and resources are spent within the composite manufacturing and repair industry focused on ensuring the quality of composite parts. Specialized technologies and processes are developed and utilized to ensure a high level of confidence in the integrity and quality of the finished part. However, there is still no commercialized means to measure temperatures in the critical interior of fly-away parts or in the bond line of a composite repair. No sensor has been able to acquire these internal temperatures without introducing structural flaws or compromising the integrity of the part and/or repair. One emerging technology uses a microwire sensor that can be permanently embedded into a part or bond line and return temperature data for these critical areas. A duplex antenna generates an alternating magnetic field and detects the sensors magnetic response to this field. The system employs knowledge of the sensor's material properties, and the correlation of changes in these properties with a change of temperature. A significant amount of research and development has been done on this technology. Changes, refinements, and enhancements have been made in all aspects of the technology: software, reader hardware, antenna, and sensor. The technology has transitioned from a laboratory oriented tool, into several variations of tools that can be used in the field for composite manufacturing and repair.