Integrated In-Line Wear and Lubricant Condition Sensor

Foster-Miller, Inc. proposes to develop a novel fiber optic/miniature infrared spectrometer sensor for the in-line monitoring of synthetic lubricant condition - TA, water content, thermo-oxidative (ester) degradation, fuel dilution and TCP additive depletion - in aircraft turbine engines. Working with B.F. Goodrich Aerospace this sensor will be integrated into their on-line Oil Debris Monitor (ODM) currently in an advanced state of development as a wear monitor for deployment on the Pratt and Whitney F119-PW-100 engine for the U.S. Air Force Advanced Tactical Fighter (AFT). This unique combined wear/condition sensor will greatly reduce the need for expensive, time-consuming laboratory analyses and provide increased operational readiness. The condition sensor will provide infrared characterization of the ester based lubricants similar to the successful FTIR analyzer data reported by JOAP in November 1994. The proposed fiber optic mini-spectrometer can be packaged in a box only three inches on a side and will provide data comparable in quality to the much larger, more complex FTIR. The successful completion of Phase I will provide all the necessary data to support design, fabrication and testing of a prototype integrated sensor on a jet engine during Phase II. The Phase II effort will be supported by Pratt and Whitney. Phase III commercialization of the sensor for aircraft engines will be accomplished by B.F. Goodrich Aerospace as an OEM customer of Foster-Miller's commercial sensor subsidiary, Sensiv, Inc.