Advanced Propulsion Systems Ground Test Technology

We propose the development of a thermal conditioning retrofit “kit” for installation on COTS shaker control accelerometers to prevent freeze-up of the accelerometers during cryogenic testing. Our Phase I proposal presents a promising conceptual design and initial mechanical, electrical, and thermal approach for such a kit. With its flexible design, the proposed kit provides compatibility with many accelerometers that are commonly used as shaker control accelerometers. This allows test engineers to select from a wide range of accelerometers, confident in their knowledge that extreme control electronics temperatures will not interfere with testing.

The proposed retrofit kit will be useful at Stennis Space Center and other NASA facilities that are equipped with cryogenic shaker capabilities. Particularly with large soak-style cryogenic vibration tests of which NASA is predisposed to perform, there is a risk of freezing the vibration control accelerometers. The proposed innovation will prevent this from happening. Non-testing related opportunities also exist: preventing freeze-up of accelerometers in deep space or on the dark side of planets and moons are a topic of interest to NASA.

With the trend towards commercial development of launch vehicles and other cryogenic applications, demand for technologies that improve the reliability, predictability, and flexibility of test setups will be higher than ever before. While our proposed innovation will be applied to accelerometers, the underlying technology may be applied just as easily to sensors and other control electronics.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 6) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.