Turbomachinery Distortion Characterization by Non-intrusive Measurement Methods

Prime Photonics proposes to build on our successful performance in the Base portion of the Phase I SBIR effort to increase the TRL of a novel non-intrusive unseeded flow characterization system based on unseeded Filtered Rayleigh Scattering (FRS). We propose to demonstrate the technology at a TRL of 4 at the end of the 24-month Phase II Base project. Under this Phase II effort, Prime Photonics will mature the FRS hardware with an eye toward increases in signal to noise. The Phase II effort will seek to reduce analysis time through algorithm refinement and more efficient data capture and processing. Additionally, hardware refinements will focus on reducing system size, weight and power requirements. In year one of the Phase II, Prime will move the TRL to 3 and demonstrate system refinements on a JT15D test rig located at the Virginia Tech Propulsion Facility. Prime will use the TRL 3 test results to steer assembly of a TRL 4 system for benchmarking at the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) Compressor and Aero Research Laboratory (CARL) by project end. Prime will communicate with industry sponsors and NAVAIR during the Phase II to steer development toward specific engine tests.