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Optical Approach to Augment Current Float Sensing Method of Determining Cryogen Fluid Height Within a Tank

Award Information
Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Branch: N/A
Contract: NNX11CI42P
Agency Tracking Number: 100035
Amount: $100,000.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: STTR
Solicitation Topic Code: T10.01
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2010
Award Year: 2011
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2011-02-18
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2012-02-18
Small Business Information
Building 1103, Suite 140C
Stennis Space Center, MS 39529-0001
United States
DUNS: 806242611
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: Yes
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Robert Ryan
 Principal Investigator
 (228) 688-2276
 rryan@i2rcorp.com
Business Contact
 Mary Pagnutti
Title: Business Official
Phone: (228) 688-2452
Email: mpagnutti@i2rcorp.com
Research Institution
 The University of Southern Mississippi
 Denis Wiesenburg
 
118 College Drive #5157
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001
United States

 () -
 Nonprofit College or University
Abstract

Innovative Imaging and Research, a small technology development company, has teamed with the University of Southern Mississippi Instrument and Cryogenics Research Laboratory to integrate existing NASA Stennis Space Center heritage cryogen level monitoring technology with noncontact optical methods and advanced signal processing to create a 21st century liquid cryogen level measurement technique. We propose to place a fiber-optic laser range finder on the upper surface of a low pressure cryogen run tank and use the existing Hall effect float system as an optical target to reflect the light signal back to the range finder. We also propose combining measurements obtained with the fiber-optic range finder with those taken by the heritage system using a custom Kalman filter signal processing algorithm to reduce measurement noise and increase overall accuracy. Our optical technique has several advantages over the existing Hall effect method. It yields near continuous measurements and is not dependent on the location of individual sensors. It is based on an alternate physics approach and therefore yields completely independent results. The optical range finder instrument calibration is performed outside the tank, so test operation is not significantly impacted and run tanks do not need to be emptied. In addition, an optical fiber mounted on the upper surface of a cryogen tank does not present foreign object debris (FOD) concerns. During our Phase 1 STTR project we will demonstrate our concept in a university cryogen research laboratory using a commercial optical range finder. In Phase 2 we plan to demonstrate our concept with fiber-optic technology using the SSC Instrument Test Apparatus under a NASA Space Act Agreement. Our Phase 1 concept is at a technology readiness level (TRL) of 2. We expect to complete Phase 1 at a TRL of 4 and complete Phase 2 at a TRL of 6.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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