Proposal Number:          21-1- A1.08-2740

          

          

   

Subtopic Title:
      Aeronautics Ground Test and Measurement Technologies

          

          

   

Proposal Title:
      Novel Surface Velocity Sensor

          

          

   

Firm:

          

InnoVital Systems, Inc.

          

   

Address:

          

3901 Calverton Blvd, Ste 155, Calverton, MD 20705

          

   

Phone:

          

(240) 790-0598                                                                                                                                                                                

          

   

Name:

          

Ashish Purekar

          

   

E-mail:

          

ashish@innovitalsystems.com

          

   

Address:

          

3901 Calverton Blvd, Ste 155, MD 20705 - 3415

          

   

Phone:

          

(240) 790-0582                                                                                                                                                                                

          

   

Name:

          

Debrisha McDow

          

   

E-mail:

          

debrisha@innovitalsystems.com

          

   

Address:

          

11750 Beltsville Drive, Ste 300, MD 20705 - 4044

          

   

Phone:

          

(240) 790-0589                                                                                                                                                                                

          

   

Estimated Technology Readiness Level (TRL) :                                                                                                                                                          
Begin: 2
End: 3

          

          

     

Technical Abstract (Limit 2000 characters, approximately 200 words):

Surface velocity measurements are a key component of understanding the flow over an aerodynamic surface and can be challenging in a complex (i.e. bi-directional transient) flow.  The proposed technology is a novel surface velocity sensor that is insensitive to inertial loads and thermal effects and can provide magnitude and direction of flow over a surface.  The sensing technique uses a plasma field generated between cathode and anode leads that is deflected due to the air flow. A novel configuration of leads enables velocity measurement using a differential response of electrical impedance across the leads. Results from high fidelity simulations validate this novel sensing approach.  During the proposed effort, a prototype sensor will be developed and fabricated for proof-of-concept hardware demonstration. Data from benchtop testing with the sensor will be compared with conventional measurements to demonstrate sensitivity to surface flow velocity.  The Phase I prototype sensor will be integrated into a blade section and tested in an open-jet wind tunnel. The results of the proposed effort will set the stage for the Phase II program to further refine the sensor to improve sensitivity, develop electronics hardware, and testing in a relevant rotating environment.

          

          

     

Potential NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words):

The proposed sensor technology would be used in NASA testing facilities including wind tunnels and experimental aircraft. Additional applications include challenging testing environments including rotor blade and propeller blade surface flow measurement.

          

          

     

Potential Non-NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words):

The sensor would be used in military and commercial wind tunnel testing facilities used to evaluate performance of systems including fixed wing vehicles, rotary wing vehicles, ground vehicles, and wind turbines.  The sensor system would be used in instrumenting rotor blades for Vertical Take-off and Landing configurations and in difficult to instrument areas on advanced fixed-wing configurations.

          

          

     

Duration:     6