Fuel Tank Ullage Oxygen Sensor

To address the Navy’s need for an oxygen sensor for fuel tank environments, Intellisense Systems, Inc. (Intellisense) proposes to develop a new Fuel Tank Ullage Oxygen Sensor (FLAGON) system based on open-path self-referencing wavelength modulation absorption spectroscopy. Specifically, the innovative fiber-optic sensor probe design and the sensor system architecture combined with the implementation of first and second harmonic detection and machine learning algorithms allow real-time oxygen concentration sensing in harsh environments without requiring periodic calibration or maintenance. This compact and highly sensitive oxygen sensor technology will be compatible with operation in fuel tanks and in aircraft environments, directly addressing the Navy requirements. In Phase I, Intellisense will identify the optimal sensor parameters through design and simulations, build a benchtop prototype, show the sensor’s basic functionality and fuel environment compatibility, and demonstrate, through laboratory experiments, its feasibility to accurately detect oxygen. Plans to mitigate technical hurdles in the Phase I design and to develop a Phase II prototype will also be developed. In Phase II, Intellisense plans to build an on-aircraft prototype of this new oxygen sensor, conduct testing in a fuel tank environment, verify the system size, power, and interface requirements, and demonstrate the sensor’s performance in a representative fuel tank.