FIBER OPTIC PARTICULATE SENSOR FOR TURBOSHAFT GAS TURBINE ENGINES

THE PERFORMANCE AND DURABILITY OF AIR-BREATHING ENGINES ARE SENSITIVE TO THE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH THEY OPERATE. IN THE CASE OF TURBOMACHINERY OPERATING WITH PARTICULATE-LADEN AIR, VERY SERIOUS DEGRADATION OF ENGINE PERFORMANCE AND LIFE CAN OCCUR. THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO EVALUATE TWO PROMISING CONCEPTS FOR FIBER OPTIC SENSORS TO DETECT THE PRESENCE AND NATURE OF PARTICULATES ENTERING THE INTKAE OF AN OPERATING TURBOSHAFT ENGINE. BY USING FIBER OPTIC TECHNIQUES THE CONSIDERABLE ADVANTAGES OF PASSIVE OPERATION AND EMI IMMUNITY CAN BE REALIZED. WITH A PARTICULATE SENSOR OPERATING IN REAL TIME, AN INLET PARTICLE SERATOR (IPS) CAN BE SWITCHED OFF AND ON AS NEEDED. THIS, IN TURN, WILL CONVEY SIGNIFICANT BENEFITS IN ENGINE FUEL CONSUMPTION, ENGINE LIFE, AND COMPENSATION FOR ICING CONDITIONS. WITH GREATER THRUST AVAILABLE UNDER MOST (NON-DUSTY) CONDITIONS, IMPROVED AGILITY AND VEHICLE SAFETY CAN BE REALIZED. IN PHASE I, DESIGN STUDIES WILL IDENTIFY THE SYSTEM LAYOUT AND DESIGN PARAMETERS WHICH MUST BE ADDRESSED TO BEST INTEGRATE THE SENSOR ONTO A PRODUCTION ENGINE; EVALUATE THE TWO PROPOSED APPROACHES THEORETICALLY TO IDENTIFY THE BEST CANDIDATE FOR DEVELOPMENT; BUILD AND TEST A MODEL EMBODYING THE PREFERRED APPROACH; AND STUDY THE COST IMPACT OF INCORPORATING A SENSOR OF THIS TYPE ONTO AN ENGINE.