United Press International
10-03-07
New technology finds leaks in spacecraft
AMES, Iowa, Oct. 3 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists have developed a sensor that can
identify an oxygen leak in a spacecraft by identifying the vibrations caused by the
escaping air.
The researchers -- led by Iowa State University Professor Dale Chimenti and
funded with a $600,000 National Aeronautics and Space Administration grant -developed the square sensor that's one-inch across, but which includes an array
of 64 elements that detect vibrations as they radiate along the spacecraft skin.
Chimenti and his research team -- Assistant Professor Stephen Holland,
Ronald Roberts of Iowa State's Center for Nondestructive Evaluation, and
aerospace engineers Ricky Reusser and Steven Sulhoff -- said the elements
detect vibrations at different times. The differences then are analyzed by a
computer to determine the direction of the leak.
The researchers said by using multiple sensors a leak can be found in about one
minute, compared with the weeks it takes to find leaks using NASA's current
handheld, ultrasonic detection technology.
The team is now working with Invocon Inc., a systems engineering company, to
refine the technology.