Dr. Seth S. Kessler Profile

Dr. Seth S. Kessler

President at Metis Design Corp

SPIE Involvement:

Author

Publications (8)

Proceedings Article | 9 May 2024 Presentation + Paper

Automated real-time satellite docking monitoring using piezoelectric wafer transducers

Lukas Peterson, Isabella Wells, Andrei Zagrai, Seth Kessler, Khoi Nguyen

Proceedings Volume 12951, 1295120 (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3012010

KEYWORDS: Satellites, Sensors, Microcontrollers, Metals, Signal generators, Vibration, Semiconducting wafers, Detection and tracking algorithms, Switches, Analog to digital converters

Read Abstract +

Average satellite lifetime in orbit has been gradually increasing since the advent of the space industry. With the increase in satellite lifespan on orbit it is becoming increasingly economically advantageous to refuel and conduct in-orbit servicing rather than launching new satellites. This presents a challenging problem of automatic docking for refueling. Traditionally, docking mechanisms have used either a physical switch, a force sensor, a torque sensor, or a combination of the three. Traditional docking verification techniques using those sensors are suboptimal for use in an orbital servicing satellite as customer’s satellite mass can vary in a wide range while docking velocity also varies. In addition, the refueling system produces a complex pattern of mechanical signals during docking, which is challenging to classify. For this reason, an SHM system with small unobtrusive piezoelectric sensors was proposed to identify and characterize satellite docking. It was decided that the passive monitoring of the docking is preferable overactive methods not to interfere with satellite dynamics and reduce power use. The mechanical waves resulted from the satellite’s docking momentum annulment, thrusters, electrical motors, and mechanical component deployment were passively monitored using an array of piezoelectric wafer sensors. Features in mechanical signals corresponding to the docking were distinguished from other mechanical events normal to satellite’s operation. An algorithm was developed that utilize features specific to docking to classify the quality of the docking engagement including potential false positives and misalignment issues. This algorithm was embedded in a real-time microprocessor which was used to capture passive ultrasonic signals and run the associated data analysis algorithm. Experiments conducted on a laboratory scale docking imitator suggested the applicability of the proposed approach and verified performance on the data acquisition and classification system on exemplary signals.

Proceedings Article | 8 April 2016 Presentation + Paper

Fatigue crack growth monitoring of idealized gearbox spline component using acoustic emission

Lu Zhang, Didem Ozevin, William Hardman, Seth Kessler, Alan Timmons

Proceedings Volume 9804, 980409 (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2220163

KEYWORDS: Acoustic emission, Pattern recognition, Sensors, Signal detection, Ultrasonics, Manufacturing, Data acquisition, Nondestructive evaluation, Ferroelectric materials, Signal processing

Read Abstract +

The spline component of gearbox structure is a non-redundant element that requires early detection of flaws for preventing catastrophic failures. The acoustic emission (AE) method is a direct way of detecting active flaws; however, the method suffers from the influence of background noise and location/sensor based pattern recognition method. It is important to identify the source mechanism and adapt it to different test conditions and sensors. In this paper, the fatigue crack growth of a notched and flattened gearbox spline component is monitored using the AE method in a laboratory environment. The test sample has the major details of the spline component on a flattened geometry. The AE data is continuously collected together with strain gauges strategically positions on the structure. The fatigue test characteristics are 4 Hz frequency and 0.1 as the ratio of minimum to maximum loading in tensile regime. It is observed that there are significant amount of continuous emissions released from the notch tip due to the formation of plastic deformation and slow crack growth. The frequency spectra of continuous emissions and burst emissions are compared to understand the difference of sudden crack growth and gradual crack growth. The predicted crack growth rate is compared with the AE data using the cumulative AE events at the notch tip. The source mechanism of sudden crack growth is obtained solving the inverse mathematical problem from output signal to input signal. The spline component of gearbox structure is a non-redundant element that requires early detection of flaws for preventing catastrophic failures. In this paper, the fatigue crack growth of a notched and flattened gearbox spline component is monitored using the AE method The AE data is continuously collected together with strain gauges. There are significant amount of continuous emissions released from the notch tip due to the formation of plastic deformation and slow crack growth. The source mechanism of sudden crack growth is obtained solving the inverse mathematical problem from output signal to input signal.

Proceedings Article | 10 April 2014 Paper

Studying the effect of cracks on the ultrasonic wave propagation in a two dimensional gearbox finite element model

Didem Ozevin, Hossein Fazel, Justin Cox, William Hardman, Seth Kessler, Alan Timmons

Proceedings Volume 9063, 906303 (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2048519

KEYWORDS: Teeth, Wave propagation, Ultrasonics, Structural health monitoring, Finite element methods, Damage detection, Sensors, Wave plates, 3D modeling, Algorithm development

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 17 May 2005 Paper

Validation of a Lamb wave-based structural health monitoring system for aircraft applications

Seth Kessler, Dong Jin Shim

Proceedings Volume 5765, (2005) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.599757

KEYWORDS: Structural health monitoring, Sensors, Reliability, Nondestructive evaluation, Composites, Actuators, Aluminum, Calibration, Damage detection, Semiconducting wafers

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 29 July 2004 Paper

Packaging of structural health monitoring components

Seth Kessler, S. Mark Spearing, Yong Shi, Christopher Dunn

Proceedings Volume 5391, (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.538843

KEYWORDS: Sensors, Structural health monitoring, Packaging, Adhesives, Composites, Electrodes, Actuators, Manufacturing, Semiconducting wafers, Connectors

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 5 August 2003 Paper

Optimization of Lamb wave actuating and sensing materials for health monitoring of composite structures

Seth Kessler, Christopher Dunn

Proceedings Volume 5056, (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.499478

KEYWORDS: Actuators, Sensors, Composites, Wavelets, Adhesives, Structural health monitoring, Ferroelectric materials, Wave propagation, Analytical research, Semiconducting wafers

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 15 July 2002 Paper

Design of a piezoelectric-based structural health monitoring system for damage detection in composite materials

Seth Kessler, S. Mark Spearing

Proceedings Volume 4701, (2002) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.474649

KEYWORDS: Sensors, Structural health monitoring, Composites, Damage detection, Actuators, Inspection, Acoustic emission, Modal analysis, Reliability, Data acquisition

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 3 August 2001 Paper

Structural health monitoring in composite materials using frequency response methods

Seth Kessler, S. Mark Spearing, Mauro Atalla, Carlos Cesnik, Constantinos Soutis

Proceedings Volume 4336, (2001) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.435552

KEYWORDS: Composites, Structural health monitoring, Sensors, Finite element methods, Damage detection, Modal analysis, Nondestructive evaluation, Actuators, Data modeling, Radiography

Read Abstract +

Showing 5 of 8 publications

View contact details

UPDATE YOUR PROFILE

Is this your profile? Update it now.

Sign into your SPIE.org account

Don’t have a profile and want one?

Create an account on SPIE.org

Keywords/Phrases

Search In:

Publication Years