Physical Optics Corporation — Department of Defense SBIR Phase II: A12-098

Description

To address the Armys need for a multifunctional integrated drive system sensor (MIDSS) to monitor rotorcraft drive system health, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to continue refining, developing, and testing the Multilayered and Arrayed Fiber Optic Sensor Suite (MAFOSS) system. MAFOSS is based on the integration of multiple different types of micro-fiber-optic sensors to simultaneously acquire multiple health-related types of data (e.g., temperature, vibration, strain, torque, and pressure). POC has successfully developed, tested, and demonstrated in the initial Phase II, a technology readiness level (TRL)-4 MAFOSS prototype. In this second Phase II, POC will further optimize and develop the MAFOSS system for size, weight, and power (SWaP) reduction and test and demonstrate the system on a rotorcraft drivetrain test rig in relevant conditions close to the real environment to reach TRL-6, readiness for transition in Phase III to specific Army platforms such as the AH-64 series. The capabilities MAFOSS provides will enhance rotorcraft safety, saving lives of our aircrews as well as potentially saving the DoD significant amounts of money for rotorcraft maintenance. Most importantly, the integrated MAFOSS will realize a reduction of least five times in size/weight compared to similar systems implemented with existing commercial sensors.