Real-time optical thrust and mass flow sensor for jet engines
This technology uses optical imaging sensors mounted on an aircraft to measure how much air is flowing into and out of a jet engine during actual flight — something that has historically required expensive ground-based test rigs or indirect calculations. By capturing real-time images of the airflow at the engine inlet and exhaust, the system computes mass flow rates and derives actual thrust being produced. This gives operators and engineers a live, direct measurement of engine performance rather than a model-based estimate. The practical result is more accurate engine health monitoring, fuel efficiency data, and thrust verification without relying solely on manufacturer performance curves.
What you could build
An onboard engine instrumentation system for commercial or military aircraft that delivers real-time, optically-measured thrust and mass flow data; primary buyers would be aircraft OEMs, military aviation programs, and MRO organizations seeking high-fidelity in-service engine diagnostics.
Who in Virginia should care
Virginia's large defense aviation presence — including programs at Naval Air Station Oceana, Langley Air Force Base, and primes like Northrop Grumman and Boeing defense units — would have direct interest in in-flight engine performance measurement for military aircraft.
Readiness: Concept
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 L. Byun, Albert P. Krejmas
- Filed
- Patent pending — filed October 18, 2024
- Status
- Application
- Publication number
- US20250043693A1
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.