Development of Novel, Optically-Based Instrumentation for Aircraft System Testing and Control, Phase I

We propose to develop a compact, robust, optically-based sensor for making temperature and multi-species concentration measurements in aircraft system ground and flight test environments. This system will utilize a widely tunable near infrared light source to make absorption measurements of gas constituents in the propulsion system (combustion reactant and products in the combustion zone, with accuracy from 100-1000 ppm), aircraft cabin air, and fuel tank/on-board gas generator systems. The light source will be able to continuously tune from 0.4 to 2.3 microns while maintaining a narrow bandwidth of 0.01 cm-1 using a novel combination of acousto- and electro-optically controlled devices. The rapid tunability of this light source will obviate the need for dense multiplexing of multiple wavelengths as signals can be multiplexed in time while maintaining fast temporal response. Furthermore, the wide spectral bandwidth allows for the selection of the optimum absorption transitions, without regard for the commercial availability of narrow bandwidth diode lasers. The proposed instrumentation will be environmentally rugged, with the ability to withstand extreme ranges of temperature, humidity, vibration and shock conditions. Further, the system will possess auto-calibration capabilities, fast response time (few microseconds) and can be battery operated.

This type of sensor can also be used to monitor the combustion efficiency in terrestrial gas turbine and high-pressure combustion systems where a rugged sensor with long operating life characteristics is needed. Also it is possible to use this sensor for real-time biological measurements as the system can also be used as a Fraunhofer Line Discriminator Spectrometer for sub-angstrom remote sensing of fluorescence emission in the Fraunhofer line wavelengths. Finally, large and complex molecules that have extremely broad absorption signatures could be fully resolved with this sensor, with application to national security sensing of weapons and explosives. There are many commercial and military applications for an accurate and rugged laser absorption system capable of acting as a temperature and/or concentration sensor. The sensor could be used in both new and retrofit commercial aircraft as a control sensor for propulsion systems, as its capabilities easily extend to a very wide-range pressure environment. The reliable and precise instrument can be used to control gas turbine combustors, afterburners, and turbine optimization. The system could also be used in aircraft fuel tanks to measure fuel vapor flammability and oxygen concentration in OBIGGS systems. Furthermore, due to the widely tunable light source, this sensor could be used to replace TDLAS sensors in any application, as there is a demonstrable advantage in system cost, complexity, and operation.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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