In The News

SDRC News Archive

SDRC Team Selected to Develop a Passive Wireless Transponder-Based Solution to Measure Strain on Engine Fan Blades

SAN DIEGO, California (8/5,/2005) - a team comprised of SDRC (San Diego Research Center, Inc.), a leader in wireless network research and system development in the defense sector, and Dr. Otto J. Gregory of the University of Rhode Island 's (URI) Sensors & Surface Technology Group, will determine the feasibility of using a passive wireless transponder to monitor the strain on rotating turbine engine compressor blades for the Air Force. The SDRC/URI team's unique approach is based on depositing a passive microwave circuit directly on the engine fan blade.

The current method of measuring the strain is to couple sensor data from the rotating blade using a slip ring. According to John Conkle, SDRC's Principal Investigator (PI), "This [using a slip ring] is not desirable as a long term solution because it requires expensive equipment and labor and is not reliable because of the harsh operational environment." 

SDRC's approach is based on a unique passive RF transponder circuit that functions similar to a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) device. The transponder fabrication technology is based on the research and development work of Dr. Gregory.

SDRC's wireless transponder can operate in the harsh physical environment internal to a jet engine, requires no power or active components, and is of such a low mass that it can be deposited on the fan blade without affecting the blade's balance.

This  Phase I Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program, entitled "Wireless Strain Gauge," is funded at $99,964 on 8/5/2005).

About the SBIR program: The Department of Defense (DoD) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and  Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs fund a billion dollars each year in early-stage R&D projects at small technology companies - projects that serve a DoD need and have commercial applications. SBIR and STTR funds are awarded competitively and small companies retain the intellectual property rights to technologies they develop under these programs.

About SDRC: SDRC is a wireless technology research and system development company focusing on challenging and important opportunities in government and commercial communications markets.

Media Contact: Ted Balleras (858) 623-9424 ext. 408 or ted.balleras@argonst.com