SBIR-STTR Award

This project will demonstrate the feasibility of using an array of wireless, passive, microwave acoustic sensors and accompanying interrogator system to monitor temperature and pressure in harsh environments encountered within a turboshaft rotorcraft engine. The proposed sensor technology is based on langasite piezoelectric crystals and stable nanostructured thin film electrodes, and will enable routine in situ diagnostics that will help improve readiness levels and control maintenance costs. The sensor system targets wireless operation up to 1000°C using lightweight microwave acoustic devices, which operate solely under the energy provided by the radio frequency interrogating signal, without the need for batteries or any further maintenance. These passive sensor devices offer the added capability of multiple-access, leading to the sampling of multiple sensors by a single interrogation unit. The signal processing takes place outside the harsh environment area, thus allowing for higher processing capability and reliability. The operation at high temperature relies on patented technology developed at the University of Maine and licensed to Environetix Technologies Corporation for further product development and commercialization. The proposed product is expected to respond not only to the DoD needs, but also to be extended to aerospace, power, automotive, and industrial process control applications.

Keywords:
Passive Wireless Sensors, Harsh Environments, Temperature And Pressure Sensors, Microwave Acoustic Devices, Turboshaft Rotorcraft Engine Diagnostics, Langasite Piezoelectric C

This project will advance wireless high temperature harsh environment microwave acoustic sensor technology, whose feasibility was demonstrated by Environetix in Phase I, into a technology readiness evaluation stage through extensive sensor testing in laboratory and engine testbed environments. The sensor system targets wireless operation up to 900°C and 500 psi using lightweight battery-free wireless microwave acoustic devices, which operate solely under the energy provided by the radio frequency interrogating signal. These passive sensor devices offer the added capability of multiple-access, leading to the sampling of multiple sensor locations by a single interrogation unit located outside the harsh environment region. Prototype wireless temperature and pressure microwave acoustic sensors and the accompanying interrogator system will be developed and tested towards a product that can be integrated into existing on-board Health and Usage Monitoring Systems (HUMS) or distributed as a separate stand-alone product for condition based maintenance. The Phase II results will establish detailed specifications, reliability data, and benefits of using the sensors for prognostics and health monitoring within rotorcraft turboshaft engines. The sensor system, which responds to DoD needs, can also be extended to aerospace, power, automotive, and industrial process control applications.

Keywords:
Passive Wireless Sensors, High Temperature Harsh Environments, Temperature And Pressure Sensors, Microwave Acoustic Devices, Rotorcraft Turboshaft Engine Diagnostics, Langasit