Project code: SME-2011-1-286989
ES programme: Framework Programe 7 (FP7)
The objective of the project
- To develop a technique for structural health monitoring of tidal stream generators using combination of long-range guided waves and acoustic emission.
- To develop a novel transducers and array of transducers with integrated acoustic emission and long-range ultrasonic capabilities. These transducers enable effective detection and localization of structural flaws in the elements.
- To develop a new multi-functional and multi-channel hardware for generating and receiving the signals, wireless communications channels and software for data visualization and collection, focusing, signal processing, structural noise reduction and data transmission.
- To integrate individual components of the system and to develop a prototype in order to make laboratory investigations, and trials on real elements under simulated conditions.
Problem
At present, there is no inspection technique for tidal stream generators other than visual inspection using remotely operated vehicles, but there are many methods that could be applied for inspection of tidal stream generators, such as ultrasonic testing and radiography. Unfortunately, most of the these inspection methods are not suitable to be used for monitoring of tidal stream generators mostly because their application is very difficult and dangerous under water and because of their low inspection speed and high price. The solution could be the development of the fast technique which can monitor and inspect a large component using a single location. Remote condition monitoring would reduce or eliminate the need for inspection personnel to travel out to these installations, which would be located in regions of fast-moving tidal flow and may be completely submerged, making access hazardous.
Ultrasound institute
Is carrying out the modeling of guided wave propagation in the samples and defining the optimum transducer configuration. Ultrasound institute is also involved in the development of the transducer array and in the implementation of the instrumentation.
Project partners
EnerOcean (Spain), IT Power Ltd (UK), InnotecUK (UK), Nardoni (Italy), IKnowhow (Greece), TWI Limited (UK), Cereteth (Greece), Ultrasound Institute, Kaunas University of Technology (Lithuania), UCA (Spain), IWES (Germany), Nautricity (UK), AES (Norway).
