Hot Gun Barrel Detector for Navy Guns

The Navy has a critical need to measure the temperature at critical areas on the inner bore surfaces of large guns in order to insure appropriate action is taken in case of misfire. In this Phase I proposal we develop and validate an ultrasonic sensor system concept that is capable of measuring temperatures near the barrel inner diameter at critical locations. The method is based on tomographic data analysis of ultrasonic data collected from multiple sensor positions located on the exterior of the barrel. In the Phase I proposal we conduct a series of laboratory studies to validate the concept and demonstrate that we can achieve better than a 5 degree Centigrade measurement precision near the inner diameter of the bore. Sucessful demonstration of the concept and measurement methods in the Phase I program will provide the basis for the full-scale prototype systems to be completed in Phase II. This technology is applicable to high temperature monitoring problems in inaccessible, high shock environments. Examples are control of industrial processes such as steel forging, casting and power generation.