SBIR-STTR Award

Benchtop Instrument for Measuring High Temperature Surface Emissivity (CRP)
Award last edited on: 9/15/2020

Sponsored Program
SBIR
Awarding Agency
DOD : AF
Total Award Amount
$999,946
Award Phase
2
Solicitation Topic Code
AF99-022
Principal Investigator
James R Markham

Company Information

Advanced Fuel Research Inc (AKA: AFR)

87 Church Street
East Hartford, CT 06108
   (860) 528-9806
   info@afrinc.com
   www.afrinc.com
Location: Single
Congr. District: 01
County: Hartford

Phase I

Contract Number: N/A
Start Date: 00/00/00    Completed: 00/00/00
Phase I year
2019
Phase I Amount
$1
The testing of the high temperature materials at AEDC requires measurement of surface temperature. Infrared cameras are used for non-contact, spatial measurements, but for accurate temperature the infrared emittance of the material must be known at comparable temperature, view angle, and camera spectral range. The Phase I and II projects demonstrated that many problems of measuring emittance with a benchtop instrument could be overcome with a novel methodology using both spectral radiance and reflection/transmittance measurements. Phase II delivered a unique high temperature spectral emissometer to the Aero-Thermal Material Laboratory at AEDC. The instrument has worked well for many years but is presently limited in capability for present day applications for hypersonic flight systems and vehicles undergoing testing at AEDC. Capability for higher temperatures and multiple angles is presently required. This CRP will incorporate state-of-the-art components and improve automation, measurement speed and user-friendliness. To meet present day applications, the enhanced spectral emissometer will provide measurements at four take-off angles of 1524, 30, 45 and 60, and it will provide for measurements at sample temperatures from room temperature to above 3000R with 5000R as the stretch goal. It will meet the infrared wavelength range requirement of 0.8 to 20 microns.

Phase II

Contract Number: FA9101-19-C-0045
Start Date: 00/00/00    Completed: 00/00/00
Phase II year
2019
Phase II Amount
$999,945
The testing of the high temperature materials at AEDC requires measurement of surface temperature. Infrared cameras are used for non-contact, spatial measurements, but for accurate temperature the infrared emittance of the material must be known at comparable temperature, view angle, and camera spectral range. The Phase I and II projects demonstrated that many problems of measuring emittance with a benchtop instrument could be overcome with a novel methodology using both spectral radiance and reflection/transmittance measurements. Phase II delivered a unique high temperature spectral emissometer to the Aero-Thermal Material Laboratory at AEDC. The instrument has worked well for many years but is presently limited in capability for present day applications for hypersonic flight systems and vehicles undergoing testing at AEDC. Capability for higher temperatures and multiple angles is presently required. This CRP will incorporate state-of-the-art components and improve automation, measurement speed and user-friendliness. To meet present day applications, the enhanced spectral emissometer will provide measurements at four take-off angles of 1524, 30, 45 and 60, and it will provide for measurements at sample temperatures from room temperature to above 3000R with 5000R as the stretch goal. It will meet the infrared wavelength range requirement of 0.8 to 20 microns.