M1 Abrams/Crusader Engine Dust Detector

"Experience in the Gulf War demonstrated the threat to military vehicles and aircraft from blowing dust and sand. Heavy particulate contamination has proven to be a significant problem not just in terms of increased maintenance requirements, but also inthe potential for major engine damage. Operations in such environments require a robust inline particle sensor capable of real-time monitoring of contamination that could potentially harm the vehicle's engine. To support the new M1 Abrams/Crusaderproject, POC proposes to develop a new Size and Number Dust (SAND) Detector that utilizes the scattering of pulsed ultrasonic waves by particles with sizes comparable to the acoustic wavelength. Using acoustical waves instead of optical waves eliminatesthe light blockage problems and optical damage due to particle impacts while maintaining the selectivity of an optical system. The SAND Detector utilizes a transducer frequency in the regime where scattering is a function of the ratio of particle size towavelength. In this regime, there is a clear correlation between the strength of the scattering signal, the concentration of scattering particles, and the particulate size. In Phase I, POC will complete the SAND Detector feasibility prototype leading toPhase II development of the field deployable prototype. The SAND Detector design that will be applicable to the M1 Abrams/Crusader Common Engine Program can be directly applicable to the grow