G
THE TECHNOLOGY:
NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center has developed a unique prototype for measuring the liquid level in a tank, employing a novel process. The technology can operate in a wide range of environments, including high and low temperatures and pressures, and is simpler and less expensive than other optical sensing techniques. The instrument also provides far greater accuracy and faster results in cryogenic conditions than typical cryogenic liquid metering methods. It is ideal for cryogenic and non-cryogenic ground tank metering applications, and zero-gravity systems that include stratification or settling techniques.
NASA's technology provides highly accurate and versatile liquid level metering in a wide range of operating environments. The device for measuring liquid levels in tanks was initially developed for rocket engine testing. Scientists needed to determine the amount of cryogenic liquid that was being used in the testing quickly and accurately data often very difficult to obtain because such systems usually involve constant mixing between gaseous and liquid states, which can lead to turbulent flow, cavitation, and sloshing.
Other sensors that measure liquid levels in tanks require complicated tank modifications and detection instruments, increasing cost and complexity. Other cryogenic metering systems register the thermal change between liquid and gas fluid phases, limiting accuracy in cryogenic conditions. In contrast to these systems, NASA's device allows operation at high temperatures and pressures in corrosive environments and can precisely measure liquid levels to 0.1% of the sensor length with gigahertz data acquisition rates.
To express interest in this opportunity, please submit a license application through NASA's Automated Technology Licensing Application System (ATLAS) by visiting https://technology.nasa.gov/patent/MFS-TOPS-39
If you have any questions, please contact Cory Efird, Marshall Space Flight Center at [email protected] with the title of this Technology Transfer Opportunity as listed in this FBO notice and your preferred contact information. For more information about licensing other NASA-developed technologies, please visit the NASA Technology Transfer Portal at https://technology.nasa.gov/
These responses are provided to members of NASA's Technology Transfer Program for the purpose of promoting public awareness of NASA-developed technology products, and conducting preliminary market research to determine public interest in and potential for future licensing opportunities. No follow-on procurement is expected to result from responses to this Notice.