NASA SBIR 00-1 SOLICITATION
FORM 9B - PROJECT SUMMARY
PROPOSAL NUMBER 00-1 01.04-8942 (Chron: 001059 )
PROJECT TITLE
Aircraft Engine Oil Health Sensor
TECHNICAL ABSTRACT (LIMIT 200 WORDS)
The objective of this proposed program is to determine the viability of Raman spectrometry as an analytical tool for in-situ monitoring of aircraft engine oil condition. This objective will be accomplished by first characterizing unused engine oil with a high-performance bench-top Raman spectrometer, and optimizing the spectrometer variables and data processing steps. A correlation of Raman and Fourier-transform infra-red spectra will be performed as part of the band assignment process, followed by characterization of engine oil at various stages of degradation. After completion of the method development using the high-performance instrument, a portable fiber-optic Raman analyzer will be employed to study the oxidation of aircraft engine oil in-situ. It is anticipated that a Raman system using fiber-optic sampling, ion or diode laser excitation, a single monochromater, CCD detector, and a holographic notch filter will provide optimum sensitivity and sampling flexibility. Ideally, Raman spectrometry would replace other more cumbersome or time-consuming oil quality control and condition monitoring methodologies. However, at the very least it is anticipated that the inherent advantages of Raman spectrometry over other techniques can be employed to provide a simple, versatile, and portable unit for oil condition monitoring.
POTENTIAL COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS
Successful completion of this program will result in a Raman spectrometry method for evaluating the condition of aircraft engine oil. The technology developed in this project will be generally applicable to oil condition monitoring in a variety of industries including automotive and lubricant manufacturing.
NAME AND ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
(Name, Organization Name, Mail Address, City/State/Zip)
Shane E. Roark
Eltron Research Inc
4600 Nautilus Court South
Boulder , CO 80301 - 3241
NAME AND ADDRESS OF OFFEROR
(Firm Name, Mail Address, City/State/Zip)
Eltron Research Inc
4600 Nautilus Court South
Boulder , CO 80301 - 3241