Advanced Diagnostics for Detonation-Powered Vehicles

The objective of the proposed SBIR Phase I program is to develop novel laser absorption-based instruments that provide rapid, in situ, simultaneous measurements of gas temperature, velocity and mole fractions of several important species in pulsed detonation flows.  Based on laser absorption spectroscopy techniques, the instrumentation will employ room temperature novel mid-IR lasers to determine the concentrations of several combustion products and reactants with high sensitivity and capture the spatiotemporal evolution from deflagration to detonation.  The Phase I instrument will be demonstrated in combustion flows at Los Gatos Research and at Stanford University.  The fast response of the instrument will enable engineers and scientists to record precise measurements gasdynamic parameters in engine flows to identify temperature and species nonuniformities, combustion instabilities and to refine and improve computational models. BENEFIT: Instrumentation for measurements in rocket engine and gas turbine flows will enable Air Force scientists and engineers to monitor gas concentrations, temperatures and velocities under realistic rocket engine operating conditions.  The instrument may also be used for measurements, control and thus optimization of generic combustion-powered flows (gas turbines, waste incinerators) to maximize efficiency and reduce unwanted pollutants.