A silicon carbide wireless temperature sensing system for high temperature applications.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering

Background:

• Gas turbine generators and aircraft turbines require robust monitoring systems for extreme operating conditions.
• Current monitoring solutions often face limitations in high-temperature and high-g environments.
• Non-intrusive, wireless sensing is crucial for maintaining operational efficiency and safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present an extreme environment-capable temperature sensing system.
• To demonstrate the functionality of silicon carbide (SiC) wireless electronics in harsh conditions.
• To enable non-intrusive, real-time temperature acquisition within gas turbine engines.

Main Methods:

• Development of a wireless sensor suite utilizing state-of-the-art silicon carbide (SiC) electronics.
• Integration of a Platinum-Lead (Pt-Pb) thermocouple for temperature measurement.
• Testing of the system under simulated extreme conditions, including temperatures up to 450°C and centrifugal loads exceeding 1,000 g.

Main Results:

• The SiC wireless sensor suite successfully operated at 450°C under a centrifugal load greater than 1,000 g.
• A prototype system was developed and validated through high-temperature laboratory testing.
• Wireless transmission of temperature data from within the turbine environment was achieved.

Conclusions:

• The developed SiC wireless temperature sensing system is suitable for extreme environments.
• This technology facilitates condition-based, in-situ maintenance of power generators and aircraft turbines.
• The system has broad applicability in industries requiring harsh environment monitoring.