Researchers from the Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Cognitive Internet Technologies (CCIT) have presented an intelligent propeller that automatically reports material fatigue and eliminates the need for regular inspections. It should be used on safety-critical structures such as bridges, railway lines, cranes or wind turbines.
How it works: According to Heise.de, there is a piezoresistive layer called “DiaForce” between the screw and the washer underneath. It measures the preload force: as the pressure changes, the electrical resistance also changes. This is registered by a sensor and transmitted by radio to a base station. The respective screw connection can then be checked for material fatigue.
The intelligent propellers use a radio standard called “mioty”, which can connect up to 100,000 propellers to the base station and cover distances of several kilometers.
Screws generate their own electricity
To avoid tedious battery changes, the researchers have devised methods that allow the networked screws to produce their own electricity. For example, there is a variant with a solar cell and tests are carried out with a screw with a thermal generator that generates its electricity from temperature fluctuations in the environment.
The intelligent screw is now undergoing extensive testing: the inventors, led by project manager Peter Spies, are currently looking for pilot customers and project partners who will test the smart screw under real conditions.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
