Structural Vibration Monitoring on the NASA's Crawler Transporter Core Systems

After working with the NASA Sensors and Data Acquisition (SDAS), a subsystem group on the Mobile Launcher 1 platform, a need was discovered to replace an aging Data Acquisition system that monitors the Crawler Transporter core systems. 

This is a large channel count application that requires precision time synchronization and the ability to fit in the same small space of the aging system from the ’80s.

Introduction

NASA Engineers working at Kennedy Space Center identified some issues with their aging DAQ system on the NASA’s Crawler Transport System as they prepare for the initial rollout of the Artemis 1 program (SLS rocket - Space Launch System) to the launch pad. 

The “Crawlers” were built originally in 1965 for the Apollo missions to move the Saturn 5 rocket from the Vehicle Assembly Building to the Launchpads. Two units were originally built and are still in operation to this day.

Each Crawler weighs in at a total mass of 6 million pounds (2.7 million Kg’s = 2.7 thousand metric tons). Has a total lifting capacity of 12 to 18 million lb. The maximum speed of 1 mph loaded, or 2 mph unloaded. 

The average trip time from the VAB along the Crawler way to Launch Complex 39 is about five hours. Carries 5,000 U.S. gal of diesel fuel, and it burns 125.7 U.S. gal/m. 4.2 miles to LC39B.

Crawler dimensions:

• Footprint 131 ft by 114 ft (40 m by 35 m)

• The height from ground level to the platform is adjustable from 20 to 26 ft (from 6 to 8m), and each side can be raised and lowered independently of the other.

• The crawler uses a laser guidance system adjustable to 0.16 degrees; about 30 cm (1 ft) at the top of the Saturn V) while moving up the 5 percent grade to the launch site

The challenge

This application was a straightforward set of measurements with:

• 30 IEPE accelerometers for vibration signals for structural vibration monitoring, 

• 16 channels of hydraulic pressure, and 

• temperatures. 

The hard part is the need to do time-correlated measurements across multiple platforms in real time without the use of GPS time. Using the IRIG-B timecode we can grab this external time source to then line the data up with the other DAQ modules that are on the Mobile Launcher that Crawlers are transporting.

The R8R data acquisition chassis has become the go-to solution for the SDAS team on KSC and using the SIRIUS-STG amplifiers. This allows for symmetry across all testing needs and the ability to swap chassis around as spares to each other to speed up testing time and utilization of resources. The DSI adapters were chosen to finish the signal conditioning for the IEPE sensors.

Measurement requirements

• Measure 30 IEPE Accelerometers for Structural Vibration Analysis

• 16 Channels of Hydraulic Pressure

• Temperatures

• Replacing the old HBM Genesis DAQ System

• Must correlate data in real-time with Mobile Launcher SDAS systems

Conclusion

The results are a happy customer with new data acquisition for real-time monitoring, display, and recording of the performance of the Crawler Transport System while it is carrying a priceless load and doing precision movements.

The key to success in this application is the quality and performance of the SIRIUS-STG amplifier. For the price, it offers a brilliant performance!

The R8R chassis is now rugged to support any environment NASA might throw at a Data Acquisition system. The ease of use of the system as an adapter to any type of environment or test allows engineers to spend their time recording data rather than the setup up the system.

This test is the offshoot of all the hard work done to support the SDAS Team on its wide variety of testing. This project was a perfect example of a drop-in replacement to quickly upgrade and increase testing capabilities using the always ease-to-use Dewesoft Testing Solutions.

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