Non-intrusive real-time airflow sensor for gas turbine engines
This technology uses an array of acoustic sensors arranged in a ring around the air intake of a gas turbine engine to precisely measure how much air is flowing into the engine. The sensors send sound waves across the airflow and use the way those waves travel to calculate flow speed and volume across the entire intake cross-section. A key design feature is that the sensors are embedded flush into the duct walls — outside the actual airflow — so they don't create drag or disturbance, and they're positioned upstream of noise-absorbing liners to avoid interference. This gives engine operators a more accurate, real-time picture of intake airflow than traditional probe-based methods.
What you could build
A bolt-on or OEM-integrated airflow measurement module for commercial and military gas turbine engines, sold to engine OEMs (GE, Rolls-Royce, Pratt & Whitney, CFM) or MRO operators seeking better engine health monitoring and fuel efficiency analytics.
Who in Virginia should care
Virginia's dense concentration of defense contractors, naval aviation facilities (NAS Oceana, Langley), and Rolls-Royce's Reston presence make this relevant to aerospace primes and DoD sustainment operators in the region.
Readiness: Prototype likely
Concept — described but not yet demonstrated. Lab validated — supported by experimental results in the patent. Prototype likely — the text describes a built, working embodiment.
Readiness is inferred from the patent text, not from a lab visit.
The record
- Inventors
- Vasileios KYRITSIS, Kevin Todd LOWE, Maurice BRISTOW, Peter LOFTUS
- Granted
- September 5, 2023
- Status
- Granted patent
- Patent number
- 11747236
Ready to talk?
Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties handles licensing for this technology.
Prosim summaries are generated from public patent text and are not legal advice.