PROPOSAL NUMBER: | 05 T6.02-9878 |
RESEARCH SUBTOPIC TITLE: | Batteryless, Wireless Remote Sensors |
PROPOSAL TITLE: | Passive wireless cryogenic liquid level sensors using orthogonal frequency coded acoustic wave devices |
SMALL BUSINESS CONCERN (SBC): | RESEARCH INSTITUTION (RI): | ||
NAME: | Applied Sensor Research & Development Corporation | NAME: | University of Central Florida |
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ADDRESS: | 1718 Winchester Rd. | ADDRESS: | 4000 University Boulevard |
CITY: | Annapolis | CITY: | Orlando |
STATE/ZIP: | MD 21409-5851 | STATE/ZIP: | FL 32816-8005 |
PHONE: | (410) 991-4345 | PHONE: | (407) 823-2414 |
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR/PROJECT MANAGER
(Name,Email)
Matthias Hamsch
jhines@ieee.org
TECHNICAL ABSTRACT (LIMIT 200 WORDS)
This proposal describes the development of passive wireless surface acoustic wave (SAW) based liquid level sensors for NASA application to cryogenic liquid level sensing. Orthogonal Frequency Coded (OFC) SAW devices have been demonstrated as passive wireless temperature sensors in NASA Contract NNK04OA28C, and are being further developed under NNK05OB31C. The proposed liquid level sensors will use damping of the acoustic wave caused by mass loading of the liquid to produce fast, reversible liquid level sensors. The proposed research will apply the results of ongoing work on OFC sensors and will evaluate their operation as liquid level sensors in selected liquids of interest at cryogenic temperatures. Issues to be investigated include the stability of various SAW substrates when exposed to various (extreme and gradual) temperature changes, the effects on device integrity and performance of thermal cycling to cryogenic temperatures, and the effects of device exposure to various liquids and the reversibility thereof. The result of the proposed research will be an understanding of potential failure mechanisms in SAW sensors used at cryogenic temperatures, knowledge of the required operating parameters to ensure device reliability under likely operating conditions, and demonstration of the use of OFC SAW sensors for liquid level detection.
POTENTIAL NASA COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS (LIMIT 150 WORDS)
The primary NASA application for the proposed sensors would be in a wireless multisensor system for liquid level measurement in storage tanks for cryogenic liquids. With uniquely identifiable sensors, this system could use low cost sensors mounted at numerous levels within a tank to remotely detect the presence (and therefore for terrestrial tanks the level) of liquid within the tank. Wireless sensor interrogation requires only one tank penetration for the transceiver antenna, minimizing heat transfer pathways. Resolution of liquid level is fine due to small sensor size. The proposed sensors could also monitor temperature in the headspace above the liquid.
POTENTIAL NON-NASA COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS (LIMIT 150 WORDS)
While the market size for potential applications needs to be evaluated, it is clear that the proposed sensors can be used commercially for liquid level monitoring within storage tanks for volatile liquids, and to monitor temperature in the headspace above such liquids. Since OFC SAW sensors operate over a wide range of temperatures, commercial applications may include both cryogenic and higher temperature liquid storage. Passivation of the sensor surface may make this approach feasible for use in caustic volatile liquids. Reversiblity of sensor response when the liquid level in the tank drops requires the liquids monitored to be volatile.
NASA's technology taxonomy has been developed by the SBIR-STTR program to disseminate awareness of proposed and awarded R/R&D in the agency. It is a listing of over 100 technologies, sorted into broad categories, of interest to NASA. |
TECHNOLOGY TAXONOMY MAPPING
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Fluid Storage and Handling
Propellant Storage Sensor Webs/Distributed Sensors |