SBIR Phase I: Monitoring Fire Hazards in Head Space of a Liquid Fuel Tank

这个小企业创新研究第一阶段项目旨在开发一种氧气传感器，用于监测飞机油箱顶部空间（ulage）的爆炸性混合物。该传感器集成了微电子技术的进步，如数字信号处理器，新型垂直腔面发射激光器，高灵敏度吸收光谱，以及防止光学表面液体干扰的创新屏蔽的发展。该传感器预计将以每秒一个样品的速度检测5%至21%的氧气浓度，并在温度范围为-70至120华氏度，压力范围为100至760托的条件下工作。该传感器系统最初将适用于飞机燃料箱，随后将用于油轮和其他潜在应用。该项目的成功完成将导致与飞机油箱兼容的坚固和小型化氧气传感器系统。商用和军用飞机将大大受益于这种传感器，因为它提高了它们的生存能力。此外，该传感器还可以监测油轮的油箱，防止因爆炸而导致的石油泄漏。

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project aims to develop an oxygen sensor for monitoring explosive mixtures in the head space (ullage) of an aircraft fuel tank. This sensor integrates technological advancements in micro-electronics such as digital signal processors, new vertical cavity surface emitting lasers, high sensitivity absorption spectroscopy, and the development of innovative shields to prevent liquid interferences of optical surfaces. The sensor is expected to detect oxygen concentrations between 5 to 21 percent at a rate of one sample per second, and to perform in conditions where the temperature range is -70 to 120 F and the pressure range is 100 to 760 Torr. The proposed sensor system will be initially compatible for aircraft fuel tanks and later modified for oil tankers and other potential applications.The successful completion of this program will lead to a rugged and miniaturized oxygen sensor system that is compatible with aircraft fuel tanks. Commercial and military aircraft will greatly benefit from this sensor since it increases their survivability. In addition, the sensor can monitor fuel tanks in oil tankers to prevent oil spillage due to explosions.