Introduction:

This GCRMTC project will improve the state-of-the-art in shipboard monitoring of damage control conditions using sophisticated multimode fiber optic sensing techniques. Through this technology reduced maintenance costs, increased reliability, and freedom from electromagnetic interference can be realized.
 

Background:

Since the late 1970's, research has been conducted on the development of fiber optic sensors for monitoring temperature, gas presence, pressure, fluid heights, rotation, acceleration, displacement, flame presence, vibration, and position. By 1983 a full scale program was underway in the AEGIS Naval community to establish a fiber optic damage control system aboard the CG-47 class cruisers. A successful 32-channel prototype system was installed aboard the CG-53 USS MOBILE BAY in early 1987 to monitor smoke, temperature, temperature rate, and flooding conditions. During 1991, NAVSEA sponsored a program to upgrade the devices into militarized units. The sensors were redesigned in this program to withstand qualification testing. However, utilizing recent advances in technology, the GCRMTC funded this particular two-year project to improve on this sensing legacy and reduce the fabrication costs to be commercially attractive for other maritime interests.

Fiber optic sensing on ships is desirable for several reasons, including:

reduced installation weight

small size

freedom from corrosion

reduced operating costs

increased reliability and performance

no electromagnetic interference susceptibilty or generation

common technological base for instrumentation.

Therefore, an optimized suite of fiber optic sensors and a monitoring display system can favorably impact the maritime community.
 
Objectives:

The objectives of this project were to develop and fabricate the next generation fiber optic damage control system with optical sensors to monitor temperature, temperature rate-of-rise, smoke conditions, flooding conditions, and flame presence aboard ships. Ultimately, this project has had the goal of installing a prototype system aboard an AEGIS DDG-51 Class vessel.

Application Potential and Uses:

Naval combatants

Supply ships

Passenger ferries

Commercial tankers

Cruise liners

Development Partners/Principal Industry Collaborators:

Omni Technologies, Inc.

Ingalls Shipbuilding, Inc.

SOTEC

Project Status Summary:

All objectives of this program were met. A prototype system including two smoke sensors, two flooding sensors, one flame sensor, and two temperature sensors, a  processing unit, and a shipboard display was successfully installed aboard the DDG-71 USS ROSS in January 1997. Ingalls Shipbuilding, Inc provided liaison with NAVSEA who allowed installation of the system for a period of several months during sea trial evaluation. The system was removed prior to commissioning.

Future Plans:

A follow-on proposal is being considered but is not funded at this time. This additional effort is aimed at upgrading the laboratory system of the GCRMTC into a more robust system with printed circuit cards and improved packaging. It is hoped that this pre-production brassboard will be installed aboard a combatant for a longer time period and possibly a commercial ship also.
 

For more information contact:

Dr. Russell E. Trahan
Department of Electrical Engineering
University of New Orleans
(504) 280-6176
E-mail: retee@uno.edu

GCRMTC TECHNICAL BRIEFS are published periodically by the Gulf Coast Region Maritime Technology Center, a U.S. Navy Center of Excellence in Advanced Marine Technology based at the University of New Orleans.  GCRMTC's Mission is to "enhance international competitiveness in the U.S. shipbuilding industry through sponsored research."   For additional information, contact:  GCRMTC, University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA 70148, Tel: (504) 280-3871, Fax: (504) 280-3898, E-mail: jtsen@uno.edu

The contents of this publication reflect the views of the MERIC staff and are based on information obtained from the literature.  The contents do not necessarily reflect the official views or the policies of MERIC or the Gulf Coast Maritime Technology Center.  This publication does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation.  MERIC does not endorse products, equipment or manufacturers.  Trademarks or manufacturer's names appear herein only because they are considered essential to the object of this publication.