Non-Intrusive and Non-Invasive Fuel Flowmeter

Current AF methods for gathering fuel flow measurements during military flight test events involve the installation of turbine-type flow meters. While highly precise, highly accurate commercially-available, turbine flow meters require installation in-line with fuel supply lines resulting in significant down-times to accommodate substantial re-engineering and modification of OEM (Original equipment manufacturer) fuel supply lines. This SBIR Phase I project proposes investigation of challenges and feasibility of developing a new flow meter that mitigates these problems, the USNFS (Ultra-sound Non-invasive Flow-metering System). The proposed research involves the USNFS’ utilization and leveraging of new evolving technologies based upon the mature, well established and reliable ultrasound technologies used in the automotive, industrial and medical industries. This research is intended to address the following AF requirements: accurate and reliable fuel flow measurement; non-invasive and non-intrusive to the fuel lines; allowing for rapid installation, removal and calibration. The proposed Phase I research and design efforts focus on: determining physical, environmental and cyber-security related requirements; application of technologies to address AF requirements and those determined in effort “iâ€Â; create tests to prove out designs, demonstrate practicality, repeatability and reliability of measurement; research a wide breadth of markets that would benefit from technologies used in the USNSF.