Wave Coupling between Two Ultrasound Waveguides
Abstract
Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) is an upcoming technology that enables monitoring the health conditions of structural components in real time and on a continuous base. Successful implementation of SHM systems in military and civilian infrastructures could result in tremendous benefits in safety assurance, operational cost reduction, and better design concepts. SHM based on ultrasonic waves is one of the most popular and well-researched techniques employed in SHM systems. Typically, ultrasound sensing is carried out using piezoelectric transducers that require electric wiring. Implementing a large number of wired ultrasound transducers on the structure could lead to significant weight penalty and increase maintenance complexity.The research objective is to investigate wave coupling between two ultrasound waveguides, either in parallel or in series. This study is critical for the realization of optical fiber based ultrasound sensor networks (OF-USNs) for SHM. OF-USN uses lightweight optical fibers as ultrasound waveguides and delay lines. When bonded on a structure, a single strand of optical fiber can collect ultrasound waves at multiple locations. The successful implementation of such an OF-USN demands controlling the ultrasound waves coupled to the optical fiber and regulating these waves within the OF-USN. Therefore, understanding wave coupling between two ultrasound waveguides is essential and will be the focus of this study. The project will be carried out in three phases. First, analytical simulation models will be established to provide insights and explanations for several experimentally observed wave-coupling phenomena. Secondly, the knowledge gained will be leveraged for the design of two network components in order to achieve optimized sensor responses as well as ultrasound focusing and mode selection. Finally, two sensor multiplexing schemes will be investigated to demonstrate the OF-USNs.Accordingly, five tasks are planned: 1) establishing analytical simulation models; 2) performing parametric studies to validate experimentally observed wave coupling phenomena; 3) tailoring the adhesive layer for impedance matching; 4) exploring metamaterial concepts for ultrasound focusing and frequency selection; 5) demonstrating ultrasound sensor multiplexing schemes. The outcomes of this study are: 1) efficient analytical models that facilitate optimization design and comprehensive parametric studies; 2) new knowledge about the physics of wave coupling between ultrasound waveguides; 3) novel sensor designs and sensor multiplexing schemes. The successful realization of the OF-USNs will enable ultrasound sensing over multiple locations using lightweight optical fibers. This unprecedented capability will reduce the complexity and weight of ultrasound-based SHM systems and thus make them more attractive to the end users. Broader deployment of SHM systems will enable the Navy to maintain its fleet more economically, manage its assets more effectively, and improve its mission readiness.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Feb 07, 2019
- Source ID
- N000141912098
Entities
People
- Haiying Huang
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Texas at Arlington