Rogowski Coil Current Sensing in Structural Joints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods fail to effectively detect and analyze transient electrical currents in composite structural joints, particularly during low-level pulse or continuous wave tests and actual lightning strikes, making it difficult to assess the impact on fasteners and structural integrity.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of Rogowski coil circuits integrated with an Integrated Vehicle Health Management (IVHM) system to detect, measure, and analyze electrical currents, including current pulses, charge, and rate-of-change, with data transmission to an IVHM system for analysis and maintenance purposes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional visual inspection methods are used to assess fastener condition after electrical events, then the inspection process is simple and requires minimal equipment, but the detection capability is insufficient to identify transient current effects and structural damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by installing Rogowski coil circuits and sensors on fasteners before electrical events occur. These sensors continuously monitor current flow and are ready to capture transient current data immediately when lightning strikes or electrical events happen, eliminating the need for complex post-event detection systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses Rogowski coil circuits as intermediary devices that indirectly measure transient current effects on fasteners. Instead of directly observing fastener damage, the coils detect the electromagnetic field generated by current flow, providing precise measurement of electrical event impacts without requiring direct contact with or complex instrumentation of the fasteners themselves.
2Measurement precision
If comprehensive sensors and monitoring systems are installed on all fasteners to detect transient currents, then the detection precision and data quality improve, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the monitoring system into modular Rogowski coil circuits, each associated with specific fasteners or structural zones. This modular approach allows selective placement of sensors in critical areas rather than uniform coverage of all fasteners, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining detection precision where most needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The Rogowski coil circuits serve multiple functions: they detect transient current magnitude, measure current flow patterns, identify lightning strike locations, and provide data for both immediate safety assessments and long-term structural health monitoring. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized sensors for each measurement type.
3Reliability
If real-time current monitoring is implemented during flight operations, then the ability to identify and respond to electrical events improves, but the energy consumption and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by having the Rogowski coil circuits continuously monitor current flow during normal operations, with the system transitioning to intensive real-time analysis only when electrical events are detected. This approach maintains flight safety through ongoing monitoring while minimizing energy consumption by activating full monitoring capabilities only when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system applies self-service by automatically detecting electrical events and triggering appropriate responses without requiring continuous high-power operation. The Rogowski coils passively detect electromagnetic fields from current flow, and the system autonomously identifies when intervention or detailed analysis is required, reducing overall energy requirements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables real-time detection and analysis of electrical currents, providing critical data for maintenance and Condition-Based Maintenance strategies, reducing the need for extensive inspections and improving aircraft safety by identifying affected components and the magnitude of electrical events.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of Rogowski coil circuits of the structural joint detect the current
Data Source
AI summary
Electrical currents are detected and analyzed across structural members in a structural joint, such as a fastener of a vehicle. In some aspects, printed circuit boards etched with Rogowski coil circuits are inserted proximate the structural members in the structural joint. The Rogowski coil circuits may detect an electrical current as it flows through the structural joint. An integrator may integrate a transient current to generate an output signal, such as when the vehicle is subjected to an electrical charge. The output signal may be transmitted to an Integrated Vehicle Health Management (IVHM) system for analysis. In various aspects, the IVHM system may enable recording and reporting of various aspects of the current to enable maintenance, inspection, or real time/near real time health assessment of the vehicle.