Real-Time Condition Assessment of RAPTOR Telescope Systems

Autor: Stuart G. Taylor, James Wren, Christopher J. Stull, Charles R. Farrar, David Mascareñas
Rok vydání: 2013
Předmět:
Zdroj: Journal of Structural Engineering. 139:1763-1770
ISSN: 1943-541X
0733-9445
DOI: 10.1061/(asce)st.1943-541x.0000567
Popis: The RAPid Telescopes for Optical Response (RAPTOR) observatory network consists of several ground-based, autonomous, robotic, astronomical observatories primarily designed to search for astrophysical transients called gamma-ray bursts. To make these observations, however, the RAPTOR telescopes must remain in peak operating condition at a high duty-cycle. Currently, the telescopes are maintained in an ad hoc manner, often in a run-to-failure mode. The required maintenance logistics are further complicated by the fact that many of the observatories are situated in remote locations. To ameliorate this situation, an effort has been initiated to develop a structural health monitoring (SHM) system capable of real-time, remote assessment of the RAPTOR telescopes. This paper summarizes the results from that effort. Common damage scenarios are identified to guide the instrumentation of the telescope system. A comprehensive analysis of the data acquired during experimental testing is then presented, highlig...
Databáze: OpenAIRE