Fiber-Coupled Hyperspectral Thermal LWIR Imaging Sensor Suite for Combustion System Diagnostics

The objective of the proposed Phase-II effort by Spectral Energies LLC is to design and develop a fiber-coupled hyperspectral thermal LWIR imaging sensor suite to provide reliable, accurate 2D surface temperature measurements with high flexibility in practical gas turbine engines and propulsion systems. During the phase-II efforts, our team will work with fiber manufacture on custom designing of a suitable LWIR image fiber bundle and 2D–1D fiber array for the proposed sensor system. A high-temperature imaging fiber probe will be designed to withstand the temperatures up to 2000 degree F or higher along with purging strategy for long-term measurements in high-pressure, high-temperature combustors. A complete high-temperature package will allow the sensor suite to operate in harsh environments with sufficient protection for the fiber bundle and fiber optics. An articulating fiber probe will be designed and developed to enhance measurement capability and extend the measurement area. Special spectrally resolved LWIR imaging detection methods will be developed during the Phase-II effort. The sensor will overcome the major problems of high-temperature thermometry based on optical pyrometry in practical combustion facilities and will have great potential in making it commercially available for a wide variety of internal combustion and gas turbine engines.