14
Embedded
Sensors in Turbine Systems by Direct Write Thermal Spray Technology--MesoScribe
Technologies, Inc., Long Island High Technology Incubator, 25 East Loop Road,
Suite 112, Stony Brook, NY 11790-3350;
631-632-9513
Mr.
Richard Gambino, Principal Investigator, rgambino@mesoscribe.com
Mr.
Richard Gambino, Business Official, rgambino@mesoscribe.com
DOE
Grant No. DE-FG02-02ER83497
Amount:
$99,769
Monitoring
the performance of high temperature components in advanced gas turbine engines
will be required in order to accelerate the insertion of advanced materials,
coatings, and novel designs. For
example, by continuously collecting component temperature and strain
information, one can provide feedback on the efficiency and performance of the
engine as well as the health of engineering components.
Embedded
sensors could achieve this requirement; however, the incorporation
of sensors within harsh turbine environments represents a challenging task. Issues
concerning sensor location and integration, sensor performance, robustness and
reproducibility must be addressed. In addition, the extraction of signals in
harsh environments requires complex lead wire attachments that are currently
performed manually with considerable variation and error.
This project will develop embedded sensors within protective coatings.
The sensors will be robust and reproducible and applicable for harsh
environments. Phase I will design, fabricate, and characterize the sensors, and assess their performance through
static (furnace) and dynamic (flame impingement) tests. A system-level design will incorporate the sensors within thermal barriers and
other coatings used in turbines. Two sensor systems will be built and demonstrated:
(1) a K-type thermocouple capable of measuring component temperatures up to
1300oC, and (2) a strain gauge capable of temperatures up to 1200oC.
Sensor performance will be assessed with respect to design criteria,
survivability, and behavior of the integrated component/coating.
Commercial
Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The technology should provide in-situ monitoring
of the performance of industrial gas turbines and enable failure assessment and
condition-based maintenance of engine components (particularly coatings).
Other embedded sensor applications include automotive, marine, and diesel
engine components.