Project Title:

Fiber-Optic, Fluid-Flow Sensor

01.03-0690
Fiber-Optic, Fluid-Flow Sensor
Aurora Optics, Inc.
1777 Walton Road - Suite 408
Blue Bell
PA
19422
Laurence N.
Wesson
(215-646-0690)
LeRC

Abstract:

The objective of this project is to develop and demonstrate a fiber-optic, fluid-flow
sensor that will lead to all-optical, flight-data and engine-control instruments
for high performance aircraft. By mounting a photo-elastic pressure sensor on the
side of a vortex-swirl flow housing, pressure pulses may be sensed. The pressure-pulse
frequency is a linear function of flow rate in a vortex swirl meter. The pressure
sensor is a device partially developed under a 1986 NASA SBIR Phase I contract which
has been applied to vortex swirl flow measurements by the company's personnel. This
project, however, will create a passive optical device, addressed solely by optical
fibers, which will utilize the firm's existing generic electronic interface unit.
The resulting flow meter will be tested over a range of flow rates determined in
consultation by NASA and over a range of temperatures from -55 F to +150 F.

Potential Commercial Application:

Potential Commercial Applications:  Commercial applications are in military or commercial
aircraft instrumentation for measurement of fuel-flow rate, air flow, and airspeed.