High-Temperature, Wireless, Passive, Multicode Sensor System for Rotorcraft Applications

This project will advance wireless high temperature harsh environment microwave acoustic sensor technology, whose feasibility was demonstrated by Environetix in Phase I, into a technology readiness evaluation stage through extensive sensor testing in laboratory and engine testbed environments. The sensor system targets wireless operation up to 900C and 500 psi using lightweight battery-free wireless microwave acoustic devices, which operate solely under the energy provided by the radio frequency interrogating signal. These passive sensor devices offer the added capability of multiple-access, leading to the sampling of multiple sensor locations by a single interrogation unit located outside the harsh environment region. Prototype wireless temperature and pressure microwave acoustic sensors and the accompanying interrogator system will be developed and tested towards a product that can be integrated into existing on-board Health and Usage Monitoring Systems (HUMS) or distributed as a separate stand-alone product for condition based maintenance. The Phase II results will establish detailed specifications, reliability data, and benefits of using the sensors for prognostics and health monitoring within rotorcraft turboshaft engines. The sensor system, which responds to DoD needs, can also be extended to aerospace, power, automotive, and industrial process control applications.