Manufacturing and testing composite overwrapped pressure vessels with embedded sensors

Abstract

In this research programme, methodologies for structural health monitoring (SHM) of composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPV) were addressed. So, this work is part of the development of a COPV laboratorial prototype incorporated with non-destructive sensing technologies. The aim is to detect and identify critical aspects that can happen during operation, in order to reduce possible safety problems. Fibre Bragg grating (FBG) optical sensors and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) polymeric piezoelectric were the selected sensing technologies. These sensors were embedded in the liner-composite interface during its manufacturing and monitored the prototype while tested under cyclic internal pressure loading. The measurements collected from the sensors were compiled with the analysis of test data and are presented in this paper. Also, the suitability of the two sensing technologies, issues related to sensor embedding and the monitoring strategy are discussed.

Application of Optical Fibre Sensors to Measuring the Mechanical Properties of Composite Materials and Structures

“…The research in this field, e.g. (Foedinger et al, 1999;Degrieck et al, 2001;Kang et al, 2006;Hernández-Moreno et al, 2009;Sulatisky et al, 2010;Błażejewski et al, 2010;Glisic & Inaudi, 2004;Frias et al, 2010), shows that the best of the offered solutions is to use optical fibre sensors for this purpose, since they are characterized by resistance to electromagnetic interference, non-sparking safety, ease of integration with the structure of the composite material and high sensitivity in a wide measuring range. Such sensors, permanently installed on the surface of the vessel or incorporated into the structure of the composite material, enable the continuous monitoring of the structure's technical condition over its whole service life.…”

“…According to the quoted authors this is due to the different distances of the sensors from the defect around which the vessel burst (Hao et al, 2007). The use of fibre Bragg gratings for the monitoring of the state of stress of a composite pressure vessel was also the subject of research carried out by Frias and others (Frias et al, 2010). In their paper the authors describe a measuring system based on six FBG sensors and two piezoelectric polyvinlyidene fluoride (PVTF) sensors, integrated with the composite vessel structure.…”

“…Moreover, the liner in the weld region was found to plasticize quickly under the cyclic loading, as indicated by the circumferential FBG sensors. The latter showed that the vessel behaved nonlinearly in the circumferential direction in the weld area and linearly in the longitudinal direction outside this area (Frias et al, 2010). Glisic and his co-workers in (Glisic & Inaudi, 2004) presented the application possibilities of a system for monitoring the structural health of 4th-type composite (the so-called full composite, a polymer liner and carbon-epoxy reinforcement) pressure vessels for storing compressed methane in cars, with a nominal working pressure of 350 bar.…”

A Novel Composite with Structural Health Monitoring Functionality via 2D and 3D Impedance Mapping Topography

“…Among several SHM techniques, those related to the electrical response to damage can provide information about the structural degradation of the material with high sensitivity and precision. Moreover, the sensing elements may be an integral part of the composite structure, providing self-sensing functionalities [11,[15][16][17]. In recent years, numerous studies have been focused on developing self-monitoring systems based on impedance spectroscopy (IS).…”

A laboratorial prototype of a weight measuring system using optical fiber Bragg grating sensors embedded in silicone rubber

“…More examples employing conventional silica FBG sensors for force measurement can be found also in [13,14]. Related to practical aspects of the use of FBG sensors, the influence of the embedding processing methods and how different materials achieve different FBG sensibility can be found, for example, in [15,16]. Due to the brittleness of glass (silica) optical fibers, the embedment of FBGs in different materials revealed to be a more interesting solution as compared with surface mounting it, not only as an adequate protection, but also to safe monitoring structures where reliability is a fundamental requirement.…”