Structural Monitoring Systems (ASX: SMN) has executed the world’s first commercial agreement related to the supply and permitted use of a Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) technology with Delta Air Lines, the world’s largest commercial airline operator.
The companies have formalised their relationship through the execution of an Aircraft Component Purchase Agreement. The Agreement is non-exclusive, and is for a 10-year term, with rolling 10-year extension provisions. Delta and SMS are therefore fully aligned to identify, and gain OEM/Regulator approval for, multiple applications on all aircraft types across the entire Delta fleet.
Dr Dennis Roach, Head of the FAA Airworthiness and Assurance Centre says that CVMTM is currently the most commercially-ready technology, and the
only Structural Health Monitoring (‘SHM’) solution that has a demonstrated, dvanced Technology
Readiness Level of 9, indicating it is industry-proven and ready for deployment.
SHM has the potential to revolutionise aircraft maintenance.
It allows less complex and less time-consuming procedures when compared to current non-destructive inspection (NDI) or nondestructive testing (NDT) technologies and, consequently, can dramatically reduce costs, increase the utilisation of assets and improve the efficiency over the life of the aircraft.
Presently non-destructive testing (NDT), methods are in wide use throughout the maintenance of aircraft, bridges, pipelines, structures and heavy machinery. These NDT methods are usually performed manually, by highly trained technicians in predetermined hot spot locations that are typically problematic. Periodic intervals define when the NDT testing is required, either by duration or number of use cycles. This repeated process is costly and time consuming.
SHM technology such as Comparative Vacuum Monitoring (CVM), provides a solution to this problem by placing sensors on the structure in the hot spot locations that can be monitored without disassembly. This test can be performed at the same interval as NDT, but much easier and for a reduced amortised cost.
CVM enables the detection of very small cracks in structures through the use of permanently fitted sensors that are light, inert, passive and non-electrical in nature. CVM sensors have narrow channels of air that are open on one side to the monitored surface.
The sensor is affixed and sealed to the surface with a an adhesive.
Small tubes, similar to small wires, provide the air passages from the channels to the handheld sensitive airflow meter and vacuum pump. The pump pulls a vacuum on one of the tubes at a time, the remaining tubes are left open to atmosphere. If the sensor is intact and the surface does not have a crack, the vacuum pulled on the tube can be maintained. If a crack forms and breaches the channel under vacuum, the meter detects this airflow and indicates a crack is present.
Sensors are easily placed to pre-existing or new structures. A small amount of surface preparation involving cleaning with isopropyl alcohol and a light surface sanding is all that is required.
The release liner is removed from the sensor and as simply as applying a sticker, the sensor is sealed to the surface. Click style connectors provide the attachment to the sensor tubing from the instrumentation. Any non-permeable material can be monitored so long as the sensor can be sealed to the surface and the crack formation would breach that surface.
While recent formal programs have resulted in the approved adoption of CVM as a SHM solution in commercial aircraft applications, this represents just one of the potential uses for the technology. In direct response to aging infrastructure needs in structures such as buildings and bridges, and an increased desire to remotely monitor the integrity of other critical structures more closely, CVM can be readily applied to address these much-needed health monitoring needs.
In this regard, the CVM technology can monitor the structural integrity of applications found in an array of industries, such as mining, oil and gas, renewable energy, transportation, military, and a wide range of civil construction industries.
