[1B3] Advancing turbine engine monitoring: smart thread sensing technology
C Wang¹, T Comyn¹, N Curry² and T Stevenson¹
¹Ionix Advanced Technologies, UK
²ICE Electronics, UK
SmartThread sensing technology has application in real-time monitoring for turbine engines. By harnessing Ionix HPZ piezoceramic material alongside ultrasonic sensor techniques and integrating them with an electronic acquisition platform, SmartThread offers unprecedented insights into bolt integrity and structural health. This paper presents a thorough investigation into SmartThread’s effectiveness via a trial conducted on a Wren micro-turbine engine. The study meticulously assesses endurance, resilience against engine-induced noise and the accuracy of time-of-flight measurements. The results illuminate a direct correlation between engine speed fluctuations and signal magnitude, validating SmartThread’s capability to monitor operational conditions accurately. Furthermore, the consistent performance of acoustic emission (AE) sensors and accelerometers underscores their reliability in challenging environments of high vibrations and temperatures in excess of 220°C. Ultimately, the study affirms SmartThread’s readiness for practical deployment in aerospace and power industries.
