Novel Sensor for Real-Time Particle Loading Measurements in Operational Gas-Turbine Engines Navy SBIR FY2011.2 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2011.2 Topic No.: N112-088 Topic Title: Novel Sensor for Real-Time Particle Loading Measurements in Operational Gas-Turbine Engines Proposal No.: N112-088-0532 Firm: Creare Inc. P.O. Box 71 Hanover, New Hampshire 03755 Contact: Darin Knaus Phone: (603) 643-3800 Web Site: www.creare.com Abstract: Sand and dust ingestion can be a significant issue for military aircraft operating in desert environments. For gas-turbine engines, ingested sand erodes engine components such as turbine blades, accelerating engine wear. Currently, no operational systems exist for tracking sand and dust loading in gas-turbine engines. We propose to develop an Optical Particle Counting, Sizing, and Composition (OPCSC) system for operational gas-turbine engines. The OPCSC will be located inside the engine and will measure the loading rate and composition of particles ingested by the engine. Engine manufacturers can correlate these data with engine wear and performance degradation to customize inspection and maintenance cycles and reduce costs. The sensor could also be used as a control input for auxiliary particle separation systems to modulate their operating state as warranted by current conditions, potentially leading to direct performance benefits for the engine. In Phase I, we will define requirements for the OPCSC system, develop a prototype OPCSC, and demonstrate OPCSC performance in a laboratory environment. In Phase II, we will develop, validate, and field test an operational version of the OPCSC system. This technology has significant transition and commercialization potential for military and commercial aviation applications. Benefits: Technology developed under this research program will be used to better understand sand and dust loading rates for operational military aircraft, guiding engine maintenance schedules for desert environments, and thereby reducing maintenance costs and maximizing operational capabilities. This technology may also lead to direct performance benefits for military aircraft engines that use auxiliary systems for particle separation. In the commercial sector, this technology could be adapted to monitor particle ingestion for commercial aviation in desert areas or for scenarios such as volcano ash clouds. Return