- Author
- Springer, R. J. | Sheath, P. H. | Robinson, S. P. | Smith, D. J. V.
- Title
- Advanced Ultra-Violet (UV) Aircraft Fire Detection System. Volume 1. System Description and Flight Test. Final Report. December 15, 1977-October 26, 1981.
- Coporate
- General Dynamics Fort Worth Div., TX
- Sponsor
- Aero Propulsion Lab., Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
- Report
- AFWAL-TR-82-2062, August 1982, 160 p.
- Distribution
- Available from National Technical Information Service
- Contract
- F33615-77-C-2029
- Keywords
- aircraft safety | fire detection | ultraviolet radiation | warning systems | nacelle fires | fire detectors | flight tests | reliability
- Identifiers
- detection systems
- Abstract
- Ultraviolet (UV) radiation technology was utilized to provide advanced means of detecting fire hazards more reliably and more rapidly than current thermal activated continuous cable type systems. The first phase consisted of analysis and design requirements follow by design and fabrication, environmental testing, and flight testing of the system on an F-111 high performance aircraft. The objectives of this program were met. Two ultraviolet (UV) detection systems were developed, fabricated, and test flown. The flight test program demonstrated that the systems have a fire detection reliability and a freedom from flase warnings that are significantly better than existing service equipment. One system, system A, includes a high degree of redundancy such as fuel power supplies, dual sensors, and dual microprocessors along with self-checking and automatic reconfiguration. These features provide a reduction in pilot work load and reduction in unscheduled maintenance actions. The other system, system B, a simplified system, is based on the same design components as system A but only utilizes a single power supply, single sensor and a single microprocessor. Both systems are considered suitable for near-term service applications.