Skip to main content
European Commission logo
TRIMIS

Induction Heating and Health Monitoring Solutions for Smart Aircraft Maintenance using Adapted Composite Patches

PROJECTS
Funding
European
European Union
Duration
-
Status
Complete
Geo-spatial type
Other
Total project cost
€200 000
EU Contribution
€149 998
Project Acronym
INDUCER
STRIA Roadmaps
Vehicle design and manufacturing (VDM)
Transport mode
Airborne icon
Transport policies
Societal/Economic issues,
Safety/Security
Transport sectors
Passenger transport,
Freight transport

Overview

Call for proposal
SP1-JTI-CS-2009-01
Link to CORDIS
Objectives

The aim of INDUCER was to provide the possibility to make high integrity adhesive repairs using a unique single multi-functional magnetic sensor for “Smart Curing” the bond and to monitor the structural integrity of the repair in service. INDUCER produced a complete operational chain of equipment, software and sensors that revolutionised the technology of composite repair bonding by combining heating, stress localisation, stress compensation, structural health monitoring, lightning protection and earthing. In this project, the R&D of the advanced new generation bonding equipment with multi-functional magnetic sensors for real time “smart curing”, relief of stresses and integrity monitoring of repaired structures were performed. The participating partners have a range of complementary expertise, resources, and test facilities, which, when combined, met the needs for the completion of a successful project. Bonded composite repaired areas of aircraft structures frequently suffer from a variety of factors that may influence their structural integrity, on either a short or long term basis.

In order to overcome these drawbacks, an innovative “sensorised” composite repair set-up was proposed, combining three different technical achievements through the embedding of a magnetostrictive sensor mesh (i.e. metallic mesh composed of small diameter sensors measuring changes in magnetic property with stress according to magneto-elastic phenomena) in the repair area. The use of this magnetostrictive sensor mesh simultaneously achieved the following effects:

  • “Smart” curing of the repair by induction heating. This replaced conventional conduction heating, using resistance powered heating blankets.
  • Health monitoring of the repair by interrogating the magnetostrictive sensors at regular maintenance intervals, to acquire data concerning changes in the strain field related to accumulated damage.
  • Incorporation of “ancillary functions” such as lightning prot.

Funding

Parent Programmes
Institution Type
Public institution
Institution Name
European Commission
Type of funding
Public (EU)
Specific funding programme
JTI-CS - Joint Technology Initiatives - Clean Sky
Other Programme
JTI-CS-2009-1-GRA-01-010 Smart maintenance with adapted patches

Partners

Lead Organisation
Organisation
Gmi Aero
Address
13 RUE GEORGES AURIC CAP 19, 75019 PARIS, France
Organisation website
EU Contribution
€82 499
Partner Organisations
Organisation
National Technical University Of Athens - Ntua
Address
HEROON POLYTECHNIOU 9 ZOGRAPHOU CAMPUS, 15780 ATHINA, Greece
Organisation website
EU Contribution
€29 999
Organisation
Twi Limited
Address
Granta Park Great Abington, Cambridge, CB1 6AL, United Kingdom
EU Contribution
€37 500

Technologies

Technology Theme
Manufacturing processes
Technology
Adhesives for bonding multiple materials
Development phase
Validation
Technology Theme
Composite materials
Technology
Novel Processes and Equipment in Composite Repair Technology
Development phase
Validation
Technology Theme
Infrastructure management
Technology
Composite patch repair technology
Development phase
Validation
Technology Theme
Condition monitoring
Technology
Sensor condition monitoring system
Development phase
Validation

Contribute! Submit your project

Do you wish to submit a project or a programme? Head over to the Contribute page, login and follow the process!

Submit