NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
SansEC: A New Dimension to Sensing Electrical Sensors with No Electrical ConnectionsThis DVD contains an introduction to SansEC, a new electrical sensor technology without electrical connections. This new class of sensors represents a stand-alone 2-dimensional geometric pattern of electrically open circuits without electrical connections. The sensor is powered with an external, harmonic magnetic field and as the property being sensed changes, responds to frequency, amplitude or bandwidth changes. This response is interrogated using an external antenna, a single electrical component having no electrical connections. The sensor can be encased in any nonconductive material to provide protection from its environment. If the container is nonconductive, the sensor can be placed external to the container without contacting it, making installation very simple. An encased sensor can also be placed inside a container for measuring the level of any fluid or material, including acids. Any readout device can be used with the sensor, including standard or digital gauges. SansEC sensors can be used to measure real-time fluid slosh to determine if a fuel tank's internal structural isogrid can be used to replace some of the baffles surface, thus reducing the overall baffle weight and giving a better understanding of the effect that isogrids have on fluid motion. Any SansEC sensor can also be used for damage or tamper detection. When damaged, torn or tampered with, the measured response shift in frequency is commensurate to the detected damage, with the response frequency increasing with rising damage. The unique sensor design allows it to function even if damaged, because unlike other circuits, there is no single point on the sensor that, if damaged, renders it non-functional. The broad metallic coverage of the array allows the array to be one of many thermal insulation layers. Two such arrays were tested to understand the effects of high velocity damage. Each test article was targeted with metal projectiles emulating micrometeorite or orbital debris impact. Even with the damage that the sensors received every sensor was still functional with the new response baseline, and remained capable of detecting even more damage.
Document ID
20080021314
Acquisition Source
Langley Research Center
Document Type
Other
Date Acquired
August 24, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2008
Subject Category
Spacecraft Instrumentation And Astrionics
Report/Patent Number
t5034_hpnch
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS1-02051
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available