Form 9.B Project Summary

Chron:

971138

Proposal

Number:

01.07-0003

Project Title:

Active Combustion Control Using

Micro-Fabricated Sensors and Actuators

Technical Abstract (Limit 200 words)

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) proposes to develop a

closed-loop combustion control system for gas

turbine engines utilizing micro-fabricated sensors

and actuators. In previous and on-going work, PSI

has demonstrated the feasibility of active control

systems to suppress combustion instabilities and

improve combustor pattern factor, both of which can

lead to improved engine performance and

efficiency. The primary motivation for incorporating

micro-fabricated components into the system design

is to achieve a compact and highly-integrated

control system which is compatible with the size and

weight constraints of operating within a gas turbine

engine. Additionally, micro-fabricated components

have the potential to provide improved performance

over their macroscopic counterparts, allowing a

wider range of control strategies to be

implemented. PSI proposes to integrate a

micro-fabricated valve directly into a commercial

gas turbine fuel injector for active fuel flow control.

Additionally, strategies for actively controlling

spray patternation with embedded micro-actuators

will be developed. The active fuel injector designed

in the Phase I program will be fabricated and tested

in the Phase II program as part of an overall

combustion control system.

Potential Commercial Applications (Limit 200 words)

Successful development of the proposed technology

will represent one of the first commercial insertions

of micro-fabricated sensors and actuators in gas

turbine engines. A higher level of control over the

operation of gas turbine combustors will be

achieved with the proposed system, and along with

it, improvements in engine performance and

efficiency over the entire life of the engine. The

micro-actuator and sensor based combustion

control system also has the potential to lower the

costs of gas turbine engine development by relaxing

some of the constraints on the combustor design

process.

Name and Address of Principal Investigator (Name,

Organization Name, Mail Address, City/State/Zip)

Michael F. Miller

Physical Sciences Inc.

20 New England Business Center

Andover , MA 01810

Name and Address of Offeror (Firm Name, Mail Address,

City/State/Zip)

George E. Caledonia

Physical Sciences, Inc.

20 New England Business Center

Andover , MA 01810