High-flying vibration sensors

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December 2007 Sensors & Transducers

On 8 August, a trio of main engines provided by Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne lifted the space shuttle Endeavour into orbit and on its way to the International Space Station. The space shuttle main engines (SSMEs) were fitted with new controllers, using Endevco model 7704M7 vibration sensors, to actively monitor engine health and performance.

Backdropped by a blue and white Earth, Space Shuttle Endeavour, docked to the Destiny laboratory of the International Space Station

All three Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne SSMEs, reputedly the world's only re-usable rocket engines, carried the new advanced health management system (AHMS) controllers which monitor engine turbopump vibration and can automatically shut down an engine if conditions warrant. The controllers also track a history of key performance parameters. This was the first mission in which all three controllers were in active mode and enabled to prompt actions in the engine systems if unacceptable vibration levels were detected during the eight and one-half minute firing of the engines during launch. The AHMS controller improves flight safety by offering near-instant and automatic response to potential problems in the event they occur.

The Endevco model 7704 series Isoshear piezoelectric accelerometers are designed to be extremely stable and insensitive to environmental inputs such as base bending and thermal transients. This accelerometer series has been tested in a radiation environment up to 108 rads without performance degradation and features Endevco's Piezite Type P-8 crystal element, operating in shear mode. In addition, it is a self-generating device that requires no external power source for operation.

"We are honoured to have been selected to provide a critical component for an innovative system designed to support efforts by NASA and Pratt & Whitney in continually improving safety for NASA Shuttle crews," said Endevco president, Scott Silcock. "Opportunities like this also provide vital experience in extreme environments that we can apply throughout our development of sensing solutions for aerospace and other applications that demand consistently high performance levels."

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High-flying vibration sensors

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