Embedded Sensor Module for Solid Rocket Motor Health Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current health and usage monitoring systems for electronics and propulsion components do not adequately account for various environmental conditions that affect their useful life, failing to provide comprehensive health assessments over time.
Innovation Solution
A compact, self-powered sensor module is embedded within the component, featuring environment sensors and condition sensors that collect and transmit data to an external device, allowing for the assessment of both environmental and health-related attributes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional health and usage monitoring systems are used, then basic environmental information can be obtained, but comprehensive monitoring of both environmental conditions and component health over time is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor types (environmental sensors for temperature, humidity, pressure; condition sensors for component health; usage sensors for operational parameters) into a single integrated sensor module. This merging allows comprehensive monitoring of both environmental conditions and component health simultaneously, resolving the contradiction by achieving reliable comprehensive assessment without proportionally increasing system complexity through separate monitoring systems
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor module is designed with multi-functionality to perform diverse monitoring tasks including environmental monitoring, component health monitoring, and usage pattern tracking. This universal design enables the single module to provide comprehensive health assessment across multiple parameters, improving reliability while avoiding the complexity of multiple specialized systems
2Loss of information
If environmental conditions are monitored, then storage and transport information is provided, but the actual condition and health of the component over time is not adequately monitored
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges environmental sensors, condition sensors, and usage sensors into a single integrated module, enabling simultaneous collection of environmental data and component health data. This combination ensures that both environmental conditions and actual component state are monitored together, preventing loss of health information while managing complexity through integration rather than separate systems
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor module continuously monitors component condition and feeds this information back for analysis, enabling ongoing health assessment over time. This feedback mechanism ensures that component health information is captured and transmitted, reducing information loss while the integrated design keeps the monitoring complexity manageable
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor module includes a number of environment sensors and condition sensor interfaces. Each condition sensor interface is configured to couple with a condition sensor capable of sensing an attribute of a component exposed to the environment. The sensor module may be embedded within a structure associated with the component. For example, in the context of a solid rocket motor, the sensor module may be embedded within the exhaust plug.