SBIR-STTR Award

Total Dissolved Gas sensor for Fluidic Systems
Award last edited on: 3/5/2008

Sponsored Program
SBIR
Awarding Agency
DOD : AF
Total Award Amount
$844,284
Award Phase
2
Solicitation Topic Code
AF06-107
Principal Investigator
Alan E Baron

Company Information

TauTheta Instruments LLC

2100 Central Avenue Suite 107
Boulder, CO 80301
   (720) 226-0614
   aebaron@tautheta.com
   www.tautheta.com
Location: Single
Congr. District: 02
County: Boulder

Phase I

Contract Number: ----------
Start Date: ----    Completed: ----
Phase I year
2006
Phase I Amount
$100,000
TauTheta Instruments proposes to develop a Total Dissolved Air sensor for use in a hydraulic fluid test stands and purifiers. The proposed optical sensor uses an innovative combination of an inorganic luminophore and sol-gel matrix that will withstand high temperatures, harsh chemical and abrasive mechanical environments. The measurement of Total Dissolved Air (TDA) in hydraulic fluid will be accomplished using a measurement of dissolved oxygen as a proxy for TDA. Preliminary results show that TDA in Royco 782 Fluid can be measured by using dissolved oxygen measurement as a proxy. The commercial sensor proposed by TauTheta is solid state, with no mechanical parts or membranes that could fail under extreme pressures or temperatures. We anticipate that the commercial version of the sensor will consist of two main parts. The active portion of the sensor that mounts into the hydraulic fluid stream will consist of a probe about 4"long with smaller than _" diameter threaded interface. The interface and control electronics will fit on a business card size circuit board, and will be configured for easy integration into existing instrumentation through a variety of analog (4-20ma) or digital (Modbus, RS422) communications.

Phase II

Contract Number: ----------
Start Date: ----    Completed: ----
Phase II year
2007
Phase II Amount
$744,284
TauTheta Instruments (www.tautheta.com) proposes to develop and commercialize a Total Dissolved Gas sensor for fluidic systems used in industrial, military, aerospace and petrochemical applications. The proposed sensor uses an innovative combination of materials and operating principles that enable it to withstand high temperatures, harsh chemical and abrasive mechanical environments. The primary objective of the Phase II will be the development of a Total Dissolved Gas (TDG) sensor for use in hydraulic fluid using the patent-pending sensing technology developed in Phase I. The multi-purpose sensor developed in Phase II will function as a stand-alone dip probe, or be incorporated into a purifier or multi-sensor suite using standard fittings. The output of the sensor will be readable by computer or handheld device, and will also be compatible with the sensor suite under development by WPAFB. The technology will be designed for compatibility with fluids 2006-552-MIL-PRF-5606, 2006-379-MIL-PRF-87257 and 2006-505 MIL-PRF-83282. The target specifications are a 10% accuracy in TDG reading over 1% to 18% TDG, at up to 100psi, and over the temperature range -40C to 135C.

Keywords:
Hydraulic Fluid Dissolved Gas Sensor Cavitation Pressure