Smart Condition Monitor for High Temperature Turbine Blades

65030 Advanced gas turbine engines for energy generation suffer turbine blade failure due to overheating, resulting in loss of energy generation and high repair costs. New in-service diagnostics are required to provide lifetime predictions and warnings for the impending catastrophic failure of high speed rotors that use thermal barrier coatings. This project will develop an on-engine sensor for operational monitoring and inspection to warn of impending catastrophic engine failure caused by excessive part temperature and/or loss of thermal barrier coating. A novel optical transfer system will be used to transmit the important information out of the engine. Phase I will design, build, and then demonstrate the prototype sensor in the laboratory for sensitivity and accuracy. Its response to high temperature coatings at in-service conditions will be evaluated. An on-engine test for Phase II will be planned. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by awardee: The turbine blade sensor should benefit the thousands of advanced power generating and propulsion turbine engines that are projected by the DOE and DOD to be installed over the next 20 years. Effective use could save millions in maintenance costs and power generating down-time.