NASA SBIR 2005 Solicitation

SMALL BUSINESS CONCERN (Firm Name, Mail Address, City/State/Zip, Phone)
Invocon, Inc.
19221 I-45 South, Suite 530
Conroe ,TX 77385 - 8746
(281) 292 - 9903

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR/PROJECT MANAGER (Name, E-mail, Mail Address, City/State/Zip, Phone)
Eric   Krug
ekrug@invocon.com
19221 I-45 South, Suite 530
Conroe, TX  77385 -8746
(281) 292 - 9903

TECHNICAL ABSTRACT (LIMIT 200 WORDS)
The efficient utilization of ground test facilities and launch sites is critical for the success of NASA's New Vision for Space Exploration. The development of an innovative Wireless Integrated Microelectronic Vacuum Sensor System for monitoring vacuum-jacketed pipelines is proposed that would address the need of NASA for measurements of the insulating capability of cryogenic lines for ground testing, flight vehicles, and launch facilities. Recent advances in both MEMS vacuum gauge technology and low-power, long-range radio frequency transceivers has enabled the development of a low-cost, miniature device with sophisticated capabilities. The complete, self-contained, battery-operated system would fit within the volume of the current vacuum gauges only and provide periodic, continuous monitoring of vacuum conditions throughout the entire facility. Such a system would reduce operations costs and increase vacuum jacket reliability by eliminating the need for human intervention, reduce package, wiring size and weight, and provide constant network reporting and monitoring of the facility from any Internet enabled computer. Beyond this application for vacuum monitoring, the long-range wireless sensor networking capabilities developed under this program would be applicable to a vast array of other sensor types and control applications throughout Stennis Space Center and other NASA facilities.

POTENTIAL NASA COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS (LIMIT 150 WORDS)
Potential NASA applications include monitoring of vacuum levels throughout ground test facilities, launch sites, and on flight vehicles, both during certification testing and while in space. Vacuum jacketed pipelines are widely used for transporting liquid propellants at both rocket test stands and at launch facilities. The loss of vacuum in the lines, if undetected, could cause significant losses of fuels and potentially dangerous conditions. Applications also exist for monitoring the vacuum levels between multiple panes of glass on windows for space habitats. Loss of vacuum is an indication of a faulty seal, but periodic monitoring is not currently performed.

POTENTIAL NON-NASA COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS (LIMIT 150 WORDS)
Potential Non-NASA applications include sensors for industrial facilities such as chemical processing plants or power plants where vacuum levels must be monitored. Many vacuum systems currently require personnel to physically travel around a facility and connect a handheld meter to a vacuum gauge to perform a reading. An autonomous system with data logging features and notification capabilities could reduce reaction times and improve facility safety, while reducing costs.

NASA's technology taxonomy has been developed by the SBIR-STTR program to disseminate awareness of proposed and awarded R/R&D in the agency. It is a listing of over 100 technologies, sorted into broad categories, of interest to NASA.

TECHNOLOGY TAXONOMY MAPPING

Data Acquisition and End-to-End-Management RF Sensor Webs/Distributed Sensors