SBIR/STTR Research Award
A Non-Intrusive Radar Sensor for Engine Vibration Monitoring
Award amount
$69,982Program and phase
SBIR · Phase IAward year
2002Award details
- Awarding agency
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Branch
- Not reported
- Recipient company
- RADATEC, LLC
- Proposal award date
- Not reported
- Contract end date
- Not reported
- UEI
- Not reported
- Solicitation number
- Not reported
- Topic code
- Not reported
Research abstract
Radatec has demonstrated that a radar/microwave sensor can be used to measure the dynamics of turbine fan blades. The sensor was designed for function in harsh environments (+2500 F) of the combustor section. An alpha prototype was built and data were collected on a turbine simulator. The proposed Phase II project seeks to take this technology to the next step- a commercial product running on actual turbine engines providing new and useful information to turbine operators. In Phase II, technical goals are to optimize the sensor antenna, construct a 35.0 GHz radar subsystem, and built an antenna fitting that will mount the sensor to a turbine engine through existing holes in gas turbines. Finally, a hardened beta prototype sensor will be built and tested on a General Electric F404 turbofan engine. The end result of Phase II will be a tested beta prototype that Radatec will market to industrial and government users.
Technology keywords
Not reported