High Temperature, High Bandwidth Fiber Optic Pressure Sensor for Gas Turbine Applications

Acquiring transient point measurements of pressure in gas turbine environments is very difficult using currently available sensor technology. The current state-of-the-art often requires researchers to sacrifice frequency response for increased accuracy,forcing them to make assumptions about the transient nature of the environment being monitored. Clearly, there is a need for flush-mounted sensor capable of acquiring transient measurements in high-temperature, gas turbine environments at discrete pointsfor many current and proposed control schemes. Luna Innovations proposes to develop a fiber optic pressure sensor capable of acquiring transient point measurements in high temperature, propulsive environments. The operating principle of the probe willbe based on proven extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometric (EFPI) techniques. Luna will use its extensive experience developing and commercializing fiber optic sensors technology, including the previous development of less advanced fiber optic versions ofsuch sensors, to design, develop, and construct the proposed advanced pressure measuring system for combustion environments. The data obtained by these sensors will be invaluable monitoring and control feedback throughout a gas turbine engine. Thisinstrumentation is crucial to the development and operation of affordable and efficient 21st century gas turbine engines.Research in the high temperature instrumentation area will provide transducers with commercial uses that will include 1) aerospace, 2)high temperature monitoring in power generation facilities, 3) high temperature industrial process monitoring, and 4) automotive sensing for engine health monitoring and control.