LUNA INNOVATIONS INCORPORATED — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: N192-076

Description

Hydraulic and fuel systems for military aircraft depend on a multitude of pressure sensors for sustained operations. Traditional pressure sensors for these systems are complex, expensive, prone to reliability issues, and susceptible to electro-magnetic interference. Luna is proposing to develop fiber optic pressure sensors that solve these problems and increase mission-readiness. Luna will develop two fiber-optic pressure sensors to fit within the desired design envelope. The first is a hydraulic pressure sensor intended for Electro-Hydraulic Actuators (EHAs) and the second is for differential fuel pressure measurements. Both sensors will incorporate thermal compensation features and will be multiplexed that will reduce necessary cabling thereby saving weight for the aircraft. Ultimately, the pressure sensor suite with multiple measurement capabilities will integrate into the appropriate flight control systems, while allowing for future sensor expansion. During Phase I, Luna will develop the prototype sensors that meet the design envelope and demonstrate capabilities in a laboratory environment. Phase II will complete a full-scale, simple-to-operate working prototype and demonstrate responses in a relevant aircraft environment to meet TRL 6. Phase III will investigate further testing and qualification of the pressure sensors while partnering with commercial vendors to move these sensors to a production environment.