Wireless Turbine Monitor

Under a NASA Small Business Innovative Research project, IDI is developing sensors for turbine blades and disks currently prone to fatigue cracking problems. Often cracking occurs in inaccessible areas which require engine disassembly to perform the inspection. Disassembly is time consuming and costly, and may in fact induce new damage. Using wireless techniques, a sensing system is under development to inspect critical components without the cost and complexity of manual inspection procedures.

Surface strain, temperature, and fatigue crack sensors have been developed to be attached directly to rotating components.

The electronics unit, which is located near the engine, consists of a analog signal conditioning front end, digitizer and transmitter. A processor analyzes the sensor readings and provides health status information.

Applications

• Engine Diagnostics

• On-board in-situ sensor system for inspection without tear-down
• Wireless sensing of rotating components in harsh engine environment
• Prognostic condition assessment for life extension and damage prevention
• Integrable with on-board aircraft HUMS
• Reduced maintenance costs
• Strain, Temperature and Crackwire Sensors Available