NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, VA solicits inquiries from companies interested in obtaining license rights to commercialize, manufacture and market the following technology. License rights may be issued on an exclusive or nonexclusive basis and may include specific fields of use. NASA provides no funding in conjunction with these potential licenses. THE TECHNOLOGY: Scientists at NASA Langley Research Center have developed a point sensor and piezoelectric actuator system to actively sense and reduce vibrations in flexible structures. Miniature accelerometers sense vibration and feed signals to control circuits that condition and amplify the signal. Interdigitated electrodes in the actuator apply an in-plane voltage differential across the piezoelectric material, causing compressive stress contrary to the vibration of the structure. This active damping system can reduce vibrations in aircraft windows, thereby reducing cabin noise, or help stabilize large, flexible space structures. To achieve precise results over a broad frequency range, active vibration damping requires a collocated sensor and actuator pair properly coupled to the flexible structure. This technologys diamond-shaped actuator design incorporates 24 point sensors located at the actuators corners. Taking the weighted sum of signals from four sensors allows the unit to function as a collocated transducer pair at higher frequencies than was possible with previous triangle-shaped actuators. Interdigitated electrodes apply a voltage differential in the in-plane direction, creating a highly directional actuator that can be shaped to couple with the response of the flexible structure. The size and placement of the actuator can be optimized to allow for a broad operating bandwidth or can be focused on a more narrow range of problem frequencies. When affixed to the sidewall or window of an aircraft, this system will sum and amplify the sensor response and will feed the signal back to the actuator. The actuator then generates a force that reduces the vibration, thus reducing cabin noise. The systems compact design allows for the actuator to be mounted on a surface or incorporated within. Commercially available miniature accelerometers are used to sense vibration, and simple electronics provide signal conditioning, control logic, and power handling in compact circuits. U.S. patent 8,760,039. To express interest in this opportunity, please respond to
[email protected] with the title of this Technology Transfer Opportunity as listed in this FBO notice and your preferred contact information. Please also provide the nature of your interest in the technology along with a brief background of your company. For more information about licensing other NASA-developed technologies, please visit the NASA Technology Transfer Portal at http://technology.nasa.gov/ . These responses are provided to members of NASA Langleys Office of Strategic Analysis and Business Development OSACB for the purpose of promoting public awareness of NASA-developed technology products, and conducting preliminary market research to determine public interest in and potential for future licensing opportunities. If direct licensing interest results from this posting, OSACB will follow the required formal licensing process of posting in the Federal Register. No follow-on procurement is expected to result from responses to this Notice.