Wireless Strain Gage

San Diego Research Center (SDRC) teamed with the University of Rhode Island's (URI) Thin Film Research Center group led by Dr. Otto Gregory will determine the feasibility of a passive wireless transponder-based solution to the wireless strain requirement. Our unique and novel solution is based on a passive microwave circuit deposited directly on the engine fan blade. The passive RF transponder responds to RF impulse "pings" from a transmitter/receiver/processor. It receives the "ping" and returns a signal that is modulated by the relative strain on the engine compressor blade. The transponder fabrication technology is based on the research and development work of Dr. Gregory. The systems analysis and novel transponder circuit and transmitter/receiver/processor designs are the contribution of SDRC. This approach is particularly attractive because the wireless transponder can operate in the harsh physical environment internal to a jet engine, requires no power, or active components, and is of such a low mass that it can deposited on the fan blade without affecting the blade's balance.