SBIR-STTR Award

Objectives of this project are to investigate two innovative designs for turbine meters having an accuracy of 1% or better over a wide range of flow rates in the area of 140 or 1 or better. Analyses will be performed to determine the expected performance characteristics of each design, and one design selected for breadboard design fabrication and test. Designs to be studied and tested incorporated novel means for overcoming the various drag forces which limit linearity accuracy and repeatability of turbine meters at flow rates below the normal range achievable with conventional designs. A working model will be tested for accuracy linearity repeatability and reliability with the results evaluated for future improvements and development into a product suited for use by the government and private jet engine testing facilities. Such a meter is widely needed in order to obtain accurate flow data over wide ranges of flow rates during engine acceleration. Several significant industrial applications are also anticipated.

Further development of a recirculating type wide range fuel flow meter is proposed, feasibility having been demonstrated in the phase I effort. It is proposed to modify the design of the recirculating type meter, a working model of which was produced under phase I, to reduce its size and simplify its construction. Electronic circuitry will be repackaged in a compact housing for panel mounting. A prototype of the modified design will be fabricated and calibrated against a primary standard to reconfirm accuracy of the design. Performance goals for the meter are to achieve a 1% or better measurement uncertainty over purpose of developing a highly produceable product, effort will be directed towards reducing the size of the meter, improving the reliability of the circulating pump and the possible use of an air driven pump. Testing to be performed in proof of the design will include calibrations of the main meter with and without recirculating flow, response to flow transients and the effect of supply pressure variations.