Bond verification of Space Shuttle tiles using time domain techniques

Author

Bennia, A. ; Su, W. ; Riad, S.M.

Author_Institution

Bradley Dept. of Electr. Eng., Virginia Polytech. Inst. & State Univ., Blacksburg, VA, USA

fYear

1990

fDate

11-14 June 1990

Firstpage

222

Lastpage

223

Abstract

The authors describe the application of a high-resolution time-domain reflectometer (TDR) to detect debonds in Space Shuttle tile structures. Experimental measurements on bonded and debonded tiles are included to demonstrate the technique. The work utilized the high sensitivity and resolution possible with the Hypres PSP-1000 TDR system. Experimental measurements of TDR waveforms launched on the tile via a WR-28 rectangular waveguide horn with a lens showed that different signatures can be obtained from bonded and debonded regions. Computer simulations were used to verify the experimental results. The results obtained demonstrate the feasibility of using high-resolution TDR methods for detecting tile debonds.<>

Keywords

aerospace simulation; aerospace testing; microwave reflectometry; space vehicles; time-domain reflectometry; Hypres PSP-1000 TDR system; Space Shuttle tiles; WR-28 rectangular waveguide horn; bonded tiles; computer simulation; debonded tiles; lens; signatures; time domain techniques; time-domain reflectometer; waveform measurement; Aluminum; Bonding; Computer simulation; Convolution; Lenses; Reflection; Reflectometry; Sampling methods; Space shuttles; Tiles;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Precision Electromagnetic Measurements, 1990. CPEM '90 Digest., Conference on

Conference_Location

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/CPEM.1990.109998

Filename

109998