Remote Health Monitoring for Asset Management

Figure 3.10. Small sensor array test setup.
For the preliminary testing, a small Labview program was developed that read two temperature
sensors and controlled the infrared heater. In this Labview program, the unique serial number of
each attached sensor is read and shown on the bottom of the panel on the display, along with the
temperature reading from the sensor. The results of constructing this prototype array indicated
several ways to improve the manufacturing process, as well as confirming several positive design
aspects. It was found through testing that the epoxy allowed for rapid conduction of heat to the
sensor, such that there was only a small difference in the output of a thermocouple and the output
of the sensor array. It also showed that the selected epoxy was machinable such that the sensor
modules could be machined once the epoxy was set. The epoxy is expected to play a key role in
protecting the sensors and wiring from the surrounding environment.
A larger prototype sensor module was manufactured utilizing the information learned. It
consisted of two printed circuit boards attached together, each two feet in length for a total array
length of 48 inches. There were 8 sensors on each board, located at three inch intervals. A
schematic diagram of the 48 in. sensor array is shown in Figure 3.11. The unique address for
each sensor is shown in the Figure. A polycarbonate frame was constructed to provide a
mechanical connection between the separate, 24 in. boards and enclose the epoxy used to pot the
sensor array.
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