PHILTEC’s Sensors Measure Cryogenic Turbopump Speed
Background
An axial-flow pump (AFP) is a common type of pump that essentially consists of a propeller (an axial impeller) in a pipe. Cryogenic turbopumps (CTP) are the heart of a rocket engine. With today’s generation of reusable heavy launch space vehicles, CTPs supply pressurized subcooled fuel and oxidizer fluids, which mix and ignite to develop rocket thrust.
Turbopump speed is an important parameter monitored during full scale engine testing. Reflectance dependent D sensors manufactured by PHILTEC measure rotor speed with a proven track record of reliability in pressurized cryogenic fluids.
TTL Output
Sensors equipped with the transistor-transistor logic (TTL) option provide a binary output of 0/5 volts in addition to the standard analog voltage output. The user sets the TTL threshold.
Example Graph of Sensor Measurements
The Philtec sensor measures turbo RPM by detecting the passage of the propeller blade at 1/REV. The measurements on the sample graph:
- The Red Trace shows the analog voltage signal rise and fall.
- The Green Trace is the optional TTL output from the sensor.
To request more information or a quotation for PHILTEC products, contact IL Photonics.