N101-016 TITLE: Lightweight, Accurate Bleed Flow Measurement for Gas Turbine Engines

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Air Platform, Sensors

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMA-261, H-53 Heavy Lift Helicopters; Prognostic Diagnostic Based Maintenan

OBJECTIVE: Develop innovative small, lightweight, low cost turbine engine compressor discharge bleed flow measurement system capable of efficient measurement for high volume bleed flow applications.

DESCRIPTION: Accurate measurement of engine bleed flows are required to accurately calculate the current performance capability of turbine engines. Currently fielded turbine engines have either no measurement capability or employ a venturi system which is heavy, expensive, and suboptimal for high volume flows. Modern weapon systems are being developed with real-time power available calculation capability with feedback to the aircrew for improved situational awareness. Bleed flow has a significant impact on the accuracy of these calculations, and the current outputs are unnecessarily conservative. Accurate measurements of these bleed flows will enable accurate calculation of current power available, improving safety as well as optimizing mission planning and maintenance.

Cooperation with an original equipment manufacturer of turbine engines is recommended.

PHASE I: Design and develop a proof of concept approach to measure a wide range of compressor discharge pressure bleed flows in gas turbine engines.

PHASE II: Develop, fabricate and test a prototype in a relevant environment to demonstrate the capability of the sensor to accurately measure bleed flows.

PHASE III: Finalize the sensor system application and conduct necessary qualification testing for transition to both military and commercial applications.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: The lightweight, accurate bleed flow measurement sensor developed under this topic would significantly enhance the state of the art for commercial aviation. The technology is directly transferable to military and commercial turbine engine applications.

REFERENCES:
1. Kevin Sullivan�s Autoshop101 Website; "Air Flow Sensor", http://www.autoshop101.com/forms/h34.pdf

2. Fralick , Gustave C., Wrbanek , John D., and Hwang , Dr. Danny P.; "Thin-Film Air-Mass-Flow Sensor of Improved Design Developed", http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/RT/RT2002/5000/5510fralick.html

3. Robertson, John A., Crowe, Clayton T.; "Engineering Fluid Mechanics", Sixth Edition, Chapter 13 � Flow Measurements.

KEYWORDS: bleed flow; turbine engine; sensor; power available; compressor discharge; venturi

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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