Turbopump with cavitation detection

摘要

A cryogenic turbo-pump with an inducer and a system for detecting an onset of cavitation at the blade tips of the inducer. An IR imaging sensor is used to view the blade tips during operation of the turbo-pump for a temperature drop that indicates the onset of cavitation. The imaging sensor includes a means to vary the image capture rate to that the rotating blade tip will appear to be stationary in order to measure the blade tip temperature. A window is formed in the inducer housing in which the imaging sensor can view the blade tips during operation.