TECAT to Demonstrate Industry-First Wireless Sensor for Measuring In-Flight Torque Data at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh

ANN ARBOR, MI--(Marketwired - Jul 12, 2016) - At EAA AirVenture Oshkosh later this month, TECAT Performance Systems will demonstrate the first commercially available wireless sensor capable of measuring in-flight torque data on experimental aircraft with real-time results. In booth 424 at the Oshkosh show, TECAT will show the WISER 4000 wireless torque measurement system used to gather this data, and demonstrate the system's installation and operation. A Saber Manufacturing propeller extension instrumented with the WISER 4000 will be on view, as well as the first experimental aircraft to undergo WISER wireless performance testing: the Relentless NXT, owned and flown by Kevin Eldredge. The WISER 4000 will also be the subject of a talk, "Next-Gen Engine Health Monitoring," by Dr. Douglas Baker, TECAT's founder and chief technology officer.

"TECAT has already demonstrated the capabilities of our WISER wireless sensor systems in automotive, industrial, and energy applications, so in 2016 we've turned our attention to aviation -- and in particular, the needs of people building or maintaining piston-powered experimental aircraft," said Don Keating, vice president of business development at TECAT Performance Systems. "Test results on the Relentless NXT have confirmed that the WISER system can measure torque and horsepower in flight with extraordinarily high resolution, opening up many new capabilities for engine health monitoring and more."

TECAT's WISER systems are the smallest, lightest, and most power-efficient solutions available for the measurement of torque, acceleration, pressure, temperature, distance, and magnetization. The WISER 4000 is comprised of three subsystems. The remote unit consists of the data capture electronics connected to Micro-Measurements strain gages, a transceiver, and a long-life battery. The base unit plugs directly into a PC USB port and houses an antenna, transceiver, and up to four analog outputs. The WISER Data Viewer software is used for system configuration and calibration, live monitoring, and data logging. The WISER 4000 enables positive and negative shunt calibration with two independent shunt calibration legs using 100 kΩ resistors.

In addition to measuring torque, the WISER 4000 has the optional ability to measure 3-axis acceleration, barometric pressure, and ambient temperature, all within a small footprint measuring 36 mm x 23 mm x 4 mm. On-board data logging with triggering capability allows high-resolution data to be collected on the remote unit without PC or DAQ connectivity, while remote flash enables firmware upgrades without removing the system from the unit under test.

The presentation by Douglas Baker, "Next-Gen Engine Health Monitoring," will take place Wednesday, July 27, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. at Forum Stage 4. In the talk, Baker will discuss test results and development plans for an aviation product for engine health monitoring.

Known as the "World's Greatest Aviation Celebration," EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is the world's largest annual gathering of aviation enthusiasts. Oshkosh 2016 highlights will include a Pearl Harbor 75th commemoration, two night-time air shows, daily air shows featuring the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, a Desert Storm 25th anniversary commemoration, a salute to veterans, a World War I aviation celebration, a Boeing 100th anniversary celebration, WomenVenture, Young Eagles Day celebrating the 2 millionth flown, a Coast Guard centennial celebration, a Martin Mars flying boat, 10,000 airplanes, 1,000 forums and workshops, and 800+ exhibitors. More information on the expo is available at www.EAA.org/tickets.

About TECAT Performance Systems
TECAT Performance Systems was founded in 2010 by Dr. Douglas Baker, CTO and inventor of its torque telemetry system. The company designs and manufactures the smallest, lightest, most power-efficient wireless sensors available. These features enable the measurement of torque, acceleration, and atmospheric data in places never before accessed. The company is headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan. More information on TECAT Performance Systems is available at http://tecatperformance.com/.

Link to WISER 4000 photo:
http://www.redpinesgroup.com/TECAT/160614WISER4000.jpg