Novel Non-Intrusive Vibration Monitoring System for Turbopumps, Phase I

AI Signal Research, Inc. proposes to develop a Non-Intrusive Vibration Measurement System (NI-VMS) for turbopumps which will provide effective on-board/off-board fault detection diagnostic capabilities without relying on any intrusive installation of once per revolution (1/Rev) tachometer key phasor measurement. Many vibration signature analysis techniques use a key phasor signal to identify and detect critical vibration characteristics and fault signatures. However, in many operational environments (e.g., SSME HPOTP), the tachometer measurement is not available usually due to its intrusive installation requirement or safety consideration. For this situation, many powerful diagnostic analyses cannot be performed. With our system, we over come this problem by utilizing a novel signal analysis technique called Pseudo Key Phasor (PKP) to reconstruct an equivalent 1/Rev PKP signal directly from a non-intrusive vibration measurement. The resulting PKP signal enables the use of effective signature analysis to enhance diagnostic capabilities. The applicable innovation is attributed to to effectively achieve non-intrusive health monitoring and diagnosis without intrusive tachometer installation. This technology will enhance incipient fault detection capability, reducing catastrophic engine failure risks and improve reliability of NASA's advanced propulsion systems. Phase I objectives are to demonstrate the feasibility and relative benefits of NI-VMS non-intrusive monitoring capabilities.

A low-cost non-intrusive engine vibration monitoring system has strong Non-NASA commercial application. The commercial transportation and power generation industries will benefit from its availability as will the manufacturing sector where production lines frequently rely on critical, active machinery. In particular, many commercial aircraft engines are not instrumented with a 1/rev tachometer. Implementing an effective non-intrusive health monitoring system in these commercial transport aircraft fleets will reduce the risks of catastrophic hardware losses and down time.

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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