08 Mar 2007
-
Yacht with 'smart' mast
Fibre optic sensors were embedded into a carbon fibre, ocean going yacht mast. A complete structural monitoring systems was developed and underwent sea trials aboard a luxury yacht equipped with a 35-metre mast rig.
Following the successful maritime demonstration a similar system was fitted to a BAE Systems Jetstream test aircraft and underwent a series of test flights from the Air Systems Warton aerodrome. This work accelerated the development of fibre sensor systems and encouraged by this success, two supplier companies have now been established providing commercial optical sensor equipment.
