Aircraft Sensors without Batteries or Cables

An idea from EADS and Vienna University of Technology is taking off: in a joint project, Energy Harvester Modules suitable for aircrafts have been tested, which should supply sensor nodes with electrical power in the future. Like a nervous system in a human body, sensor networks attached to the aircraft fuselage will in future record and transmit essential data concerning the structural health of the aircraft. Traditionally, wired sensor solutions are used, which are reliable, but introduce weight and increase the design complexity of an aircraft. To solve this challenging task EADS Innovation Works and Vienna University of Technology are in a close cooperation in developing a thermoelectric "Energy Harvesting Module" with just a few centimetres in outer diameter, which will supply enough energy to wireless sensor nodes. The artificial temperature difference created when the aircraft takes off and lands is sufficient to generate the required electrical energy. A flight test campaign on an Airbus aircraft with these "Energy Harvesting Modules" has been performed for the first time - with extraordinary success. Cost factor: aircraft maintenance - Maintenance is one of the largest expenses along with air crew salaries, fuel costs and depreciation a civil aviation company has to incur over the lifetime of an aircraft and can be as high as 20% of its total cost.