High-Speed Thermal Imaging of In-Service TBC Blades

Under sponsorship of the Air Force SBIR program, the small business Advanced Fuel Research, Inc. (AFR) is developing an innovative sensor system to map the surface temperature of thermal barrier coated (TBC) turbine blades during operational testing of advanced military jet engines. Temperature mapping is a high priority capability needed to prove ceramic coatings as a reliable means to prevent blade failure in the high temperature combustion conditions of new fighter engines. Phase I research resulted in a breakthrough to advance an on-engine system and measurement methodology towards improved temperature measurements from TBC surfaces in the extreme environment. Phase II will optimize system hardware and methodology, and will accomplish on-engine development testing and demonstrations for surface temperature mapping and condition monitoring of in-service TBC blades. At the conclusion of Phase II, a functional prototype instrument will be delivered to the Air Force Arnold Engineering Development Center, providing a blade diagnostic that is of high interest to military engine test customers. BENEFIT: This project will result in a product that will benefit the military and military aircraft industry and also find dual use by benefiting the commercial aircraft industry and power generation industry that utilize gas turbine engines. Engine development programs will be expedited thus bringing new engines to production sooner. The product could also be used on production engines as a condition/fault monitor for improved safety and reduced maintenance.