The Stennis Space Center has identified a need to perform continuous facility and test article Health monitoring. Florida Laser Systems proposes the development of an innovative non-intrusive cryogenic mass flow rate sensor. The sensor system is based on the Extrinsic Fabry-Perot Interferometric (EFPI) sensor technology being refined at the Florida Institute of Technology. These fiberoptic based sensors are capable of determining several measurands including strain, temperature, pressure, force, vibration and shock. Their advantages include immunity to electromagnetic interference and cross talk, light weight, compact size, large bandwidth, corrosion resistance, ability to operate in hazardous and explosive environments, and remote real-time operation in cryogenic environments. This technology will be combined with an innovative mechanical design that will allow the non-intrusive detection of temperature, pressure, fluid velocity and mass flow rate. There are currently no products available for determining cryogenic mass flow-rate non-intrusively with high dynamic response. During phase I of this program proof of concept tests will be performed utilizing this technique. Potential Commercial Application(s) This fiber optic sensor has substantial application to the commercial aviation industry. The sensors small size and low cost make it suitable for implantation into aircraft engines and attachment to aircraft skin and structural members. When integrated into the data stream of flight data recorders, the information derived would be beneficial in monitoring the life cycle performance of aircraft structures. In this way any flight activity resulting in increased stress on the aircraft could be detected and used to flag maintenance crews to perform visual inspections. In addition, changes in the vibration spectrum coupled with increased displacement in the sensor could provide warning of imminent failures in the aircraft components in time for replacement.
