The Boeing Company
Radio-frequency-identification-based smart fastener

Abstract:

A system includes a fastener and a magneto-elastic component connected to the fastener, wherein a strain level applied to the magneto-elastic component is a function of a tightness level within a range of tightness levels of the fastener. The system further includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) circuit. The system also includes an antenna electrically connected to the RFID circuit. The system includes a variable inductor circuit electrically connected to the RFID circuit and to the antenna, where an inductance exhibited by the variable inductor circuit is a function of the strain level applied to the magneto-elastic component, where a resonance response frequency of the RFID circuit is a function of the inductance exhibited by the variable inductor circuit, and where a change in the strain level results in a shift in the resonance response frequency.