Fiber-Coupled Hyperspectral Thermal LWIR Imaging Sensor Suite for Combustion System Diagnostics

The objective of the proposed Phase-I effort by Spectral Energies LLC is to design and develop a fiber-coupled hyperspectral LWIR thermal imaging sensor suite for temperature measurements in practical combustors. The proposed sensor suite will be capable of performing spectrally resolved imaging to achieve accurate temperature measurements in practical gas-turbine engines while resolving optical interference issues. Additionally, the proposed spectrally resolved measurement could enable simultaneous measurements of both surface and gas temperatures in combustion systems. The sensor will consist of a compact and robust imaging fiber probe with water-cooling protection for full operation in harsh combustion environments. Since a few private companies either have readily available commercial LWIR imaging fiber bundles or have capability of making custom fiber bundles, our team will evaluate various commercially available LWIR optical fibers for making an ideal low-loss coherent imaging fiber bundle for the sensor. A prototype of the sensor employing a few LWIR fibers will be assembled and tested in the combustor sector rig at Georgia Tech. Successful implementation of the proposed Phase-I research activities will pave the way for the construction and delivery of a robust, compact, and turnkey proposed sensor suite for accurate temperature measurements in AFRL combustor rigs during the