Detection and Location of Debris Cloud Impact Damage

摘要

A variety of anomalies and system failure can be caused by micrometeoroid and space debris impact on spacecraft. A system based on acoustic emission technique is considered for monitoring the impact events. Most of recent works focused on point-like source localization. However, the spacecraft may use a single thin plate named "bumper" placed at a short distance ahead of a primary structural system. The impact source would be in the form of debris cloud. In this study, normal hypervelocity impact experiments were used to study the characteristics of signals caused by debris cloud impact. Four ultrasonic transducers were mounted on the target plate for collecting the debris cloud impact signals. In the Fourier transform of the signals, the distinctions caused by different form of debris cloud impact could be seen. The mathematical model to determine the impact location was provided. It was found that the position predicted was near the center of the damaged region caused by debris cloud impact.