SBIR-STTR Award

The measurement of the surface temperature of materials and systems during simulated reentry condition testing in hypervelocity range and track test facilities is necessary for the development of these materials and systems. Temperature measuring instrumentation is not currently available to adequately meet this need. It is proposed that a fast-response, multi-color pyrometer be developed which would measure temperatures above 1200 and have a response time of 50 nanoseconds or less. The objective of Phase I of this effort will be to verify the feasibility of developing this instrument and in determining its performance limitations. Data which will permit an optimized selection of components and system design will be obtained.

The objective of this study is the development of a multicolor pyrometer with a very fast response time. Specific objectives for the pyrometer are the capability of measuring temperatures as low as 1200 deg K, a rise time of 50-100 nsec or less, a measurement area of 2 mm dia. Or less, and the elimination of data uncertainties due to an unknown specimen surface emissivity. Although this pyrometer will be a valuable temperature measurement tool in numerous applications, the design will be oriented towards meeting the temperature measurement requirements and physical installation and operation conditions associated with testing conducted in the aedc range/track g hyper-velocity test facility. Phase I of the development effort for this pyrometer was successful in verifying the feasibility of developing this instrument and in identifying components and system parameters which can be utilized in the design. The overall objective in phase II is to continue this development to the point where a prototype instrument has been fabricated and evaluated in full-up testing.