High Temperature Sensors and Arrays for Turbomachines

The principal objective of this project is to demonstrte the feasibility of applying thin film heat flux and other sensing devices to turbine blades and other complex objects by a new process. Phase I will culminate in a laboratory demonstration of the core process technology, using readily available materials and apparatus. A thermocouple and connecting leads will be produced on a prepared turbine blade surface, and the maximum use temperature of the thermocouple will be measured. The demonstration will show that the full process will be capable of producing individual thermocouples, strain gages and heat flux sensors and arrays of these sensors on any part of the surface of the turbine blade, and that these sensors will survive turbine operating temperatures. In a Phase II continuation, the full process weill be designed and constructed. Individual heat flux sensors, thermocouples and strain gages, together with their interconnections, will be produced on prepared turbine blade surfaces. The resulting test articles will be tested by a major gas turbine manufacturer to measure their maximum use temperature.