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Multi-component Aircraft Engine Monitoring
Navy SBIR 2006.2 - Topic N06-121 NAVAIR - Mrs. Janet McGovern - [email protected] Opens: June 14, 2006 - Closes: July 14, 2006 N06-121 TITLE: Multi-component Aircraft Engine Monitoring TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Air Platform, Materials/Processes ACQUISITION PROGRAM: Joint Strike Fighter OBJECTIVE: Develop an advanced sensor suite/signal acquisition system for aircraft engine health management. DESCRIPTION: The life cycle cost, weight, complexity and qualification effort severely constrains the introduction of advanced sensors for engine health management. While we need to be selective it is almost impossible to anticipate exactly which components will require monitoring due to in-service deficiencies. Many of these sensors require high bandwidth communication channels and carry heavy signal acquisition and processing burdens. Even the "real estate" required to connect multiple sensor leads is at a premium. Leading examples are the various means proposed to monitor blade tip clearance, flutter and deterioration, requiring individual sensors at each blade row each with dedicated signal acquisition interfaces. Similar challenges are found in other areas of the engine. Furthermore, these sensor-signal acquisition interfaces and interconnecting communication media must be compatible with the extreme engine environment. The signal acquisition (analog/digital) interfaces must be robust at 90+ degrees Celsius in a high vibration environment. The harness and sensors must be extremely dependable (25,000 hr. service life, minimal intermittency and false indications) mounted directly to the engine in a thermal environment exceeding 200 degrees Celsius, and preferably 600-700 degrees Celsius. We are seeking subsystems consisting of sensors (preferably families of sensors for multiple uses), communication media and interfaces, signal acquisition/digitizing interfaces and algorithms that enable sensor systems to perform one or more of the following: Interface multiple sensors to a common signal acquisition interface, either multiplexed, field interchangeable or both. Detect failures in multiple components with a single sensor (Note: This item excludes the established technology of high frequency vibration analysis.) Enable sensing of multiple classes of parameter with a common generic signal acquisition interface. Open system interfaces are particularly desirable to allow multiple sensor vendors to offer diverse but compatible sensors. PHASE I: Conceptualize and design a suitable sensor suite/signal acquisition system and demonstrate its feasibility in a laboratory environment. This phase must include consultation with appropriate potential industrial users to ensure adequate requirements definition and technology suitability. PHASE II: Design and prototype a mutually agreed subset of the sensor suite, integrated with a suitable communication media/electronic interface, and demonstrate system functionality in a representative environment. This phase must include participation by potential aerospace industry users to ensure application suitability and appropriate functionality. PHASE III: Mature the design and develop it for application on future airborne weapon systems. Achievement of TRL 6 through engine test bed and/or flight test demonstration is expected. PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: The system solicited should find other application in military and commercial aircraft control and monitoring. Marine, industrial and power systems expected to have application for this technology, for both control and monitoring. Scientific and aircraft & gas turbine developmental instrumentation is another likely market, and the approach may also be useful for space systems. Automotive applications are possible. REFERENCES: 2. "Optical Technologies for Sensing Voltage and Current", pp. 26-28, SENSORS, December 2005, http://www.sensorsmag.com/articles/1205/26/ KEYWORDS: sensor; multiplexed; propulsion; high Mach; air vehicle; control TPOC: (301)757-0517
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