In-flight direct thrust measurement sensor for jet engines
This technology uses optical imaging systems mounted at both the intake and exhaust of a jet engine to measure airflow properties — temperature, density, and velocity — in real time while the aircraft is actually flying. By capturing light spectra at the inlet and outlet and matching them against stored reference models, the system calculates how much air mass is flowing through the engine at any moment. From those measurements, it derives the engine's actual thrust force during flight, not an estimate from ground-test data or models. This is fundamentally different from how thrust is measured today, which relies on indirect calculations and pre-flight calibrations rather than direct in-flight measurement.
What you could build
A bolt-on or integrated sensor suite for commercial and military jet engines that continuously reports actual in-flight thrust, enabling engine health monitoring, fuel efficiency optimization, and real-time performance certification. Primary buyers would be airframe OEMs, engine manufacturers (GE Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, Rolls-Royce), and defense aviation programs requiring verifiable thrust accountability.
Who in Virginia should care
Defense aviation contractors and test-and-evaluation programs at installations like Langley Air Force Base, as well as aerospace primes with Virginia footprints such as Raytheon and Northrop Grumman, would have direct operational interest in this capability.
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
- Kevin Todd Lowe, Gwibo Byun, Albert P. Krejmas
- Granted
- October 22, 2024
- Status
- Granted patent
- Patent number
- 12123313
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.