LMFS Sat Dec 15, 2018 4:31 pm
Smart material for the T-50: the laser technology will protect the composite structure
The KLA started the implementation of the system laser monitoring of composite structures. New technology will detect the impact position of the surface of the aircraft and simplify operation.
When creating both military and civil aircraft is constantly increasing the share of composite materials. For example, 70 % washed surface of the fifth – generation fighter jet carbon fiber. Composites greatly facilitate weight, improve aerodynamics and drastically reduce the visibility of combat vehicles for the radar.
Experts say that on the radar display of the fifth generation fighter, due to non-metallic surfaces, and no more birds.
But unlike conventional metals, composites more demanding in service. During operation of the aircraft units made of CFRP may be subjected to collisions of birds in the air, on the ground – the careless blows of the staff. Unlike metal surfaces, where the effects of damage immediately visible to the composite wing after impact may appear invisible to the eye cracks. Cracks under impact loads, as a rule, over time, increase in size and, under certain circumstances, can even destroy the structure of the aircraft.
Regularly after a few flights of carbon units – the wing, empennage or fuselage are subjected to a thorough inspection non-destructive testing.
Big laser is watching you
Test composite panels in the gap.
To reduce testing time and increase the safety of the aircraft, about five years ago, the Ministry of industry and trade of the Russian Federation, the United aircraft Corporation and Sukhoi began a project to develop new technology.
"The idea is simple – to make a "composite material" is smart, so he informed the pilot and the operator on the status of the construction", – says the chief technologist of the Sukhoi design Bureau Andrey Filatov.
UAC and Sukhoi began developing a partnership with a number of domestic research institutes. Scientists have proposed at the stage of manufacture to include design of composite coating, consisting of millions of carbon composite ribbons, special optical fiber. Of the work is done independently, and some – with the help of domestic company research and innovation center "Institute of development research, development and transfer of technologies" (SIC IRT). At the beginning of the cooperation of scientists in Moscow have gained some experience in ensuring the safety of composite blades for helicopters.
And this summer, nits IRT and the company "Sukhoi" has created a prototype wing fighter fifth generation T-50. Made of composites design laced with fiber-optic sensors.
Laying of optical fiber sensors.
To their customers included in the "Rosatom" "Niigrafit" has developed a special composite material the structure of which began to mount a special fiber-optic sensors. Literally the whole promising aviation complex tactical aircraft penetrated several hundred meters of optical fiber, permanently transmits the signal. At occurrence of problems, and the appearance of cracks in composites is always accompanied by a peculiar crackling, the controller immediately determines the location and provides the necessary algorithms of behavior.
If you see any damage to the computer gives the pilot a recommendation – estimates the resource of action of design, issues a command to the pilot to return to base, and if the damage is critical – to flee the plane.
"Conditional on the maintenance of aircraft with composite structures provided 900 hours of traditional methods. Automation allows to reduce time for service maintenance of aircraft several times, – says Director of SIC IRT Nikolai Lvov. – The total weight of the structure and materials of no more than 5-7 pounds, but a value for maintenance is difficult to overestimate".
"For clever designs, of course, the future. They can diagnose the condition of the material, to determine the level of flight safety. However have to overcome a big way. To determine how well the sensors hear a noise, optimal placement," – says Andrey Filatov.
However, the importance of aviation is invaluable. "Composite is a relatively new material in aviation and its use is giving the minimum gain in weight of 15-20 percent," – said the Director of the scientific-technical center of the KLA Vladimir Kargopoltsev. – Designers – the people are conservative and designed with large tolerances".
The application of smart structures in addition to widely known advantages allow more time to achieve significant weight loss. So, planes will be more safe and economical.
https://uacrussia.livejournal.com/81763.html
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BTW this article seems oh so familiar 
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