Method and system for multi-functional embedded sensors

• US 9,482,585 B2
• Filed: 05/09/2012
• Issued: 11/01/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Singh, Prabhjot, Wang, Guanghua, Cheverton, Mark Allen, Popielarczyk, Jeffrey Joseph, Shiang, Joseph John
• Primary Examiner(s): Itskovich, Mikhail
• Application Number:
  US13/467,139
• Publication Number:
  US 20120293647A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,637 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 17/02 Arrangement of sensing elements
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2260/80 Diagnostics
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/165 by means of a grating deformed by the object
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/34 the beams of light being detected by photocells
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 11/20 using thermoluminescent materials G01K11/32 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 13/02 for measuring temperature of moving fluids or granular materials capable of flow
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 13/024 of moving gases
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 23/16 by photoelectric means
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30164 Workpiece; Machine component
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/001 using an image reference approach
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/60 Efficient propulsion technologies, e.g. for aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49124 On flat or curved insulated base, e.g., printed circuit, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49336 Blade making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49769 Using optical instrument [excludes mere human eyeballing]

Abstract

A system and method for monitoring system including a three dimensional embedded sensor coupled to an article, wherein the three dimensional embedded sensor is a direct write embedded sensor using a high temperature light emitting material. A camera system detects illumination signals from the embedded sensors. A processing section processes the illumination signals and determines gas/surface temperatures and strain data for the article.

Claims

1. A monitoring system comprising:

a light emitting sensor in direct contact with an article;

a high-speed image acquisition system for detecting an optical image of the light emitting sensor; and

a high-speed data processing system for analyzing the image to determine strain of the article,

wherein the light emitting sensor is disposed on a surface of the article in the form of a geometric pattern, wherein the geometric pattern is in the form of a grid, an array of marks, a Moiré

pattern, or combinations thereof, and wherein the light emitting sensor comprises features of about 70 microns in diameter and 40 microns in height, and spacing between the features is about 70 microns.

2. A monitoring system according to claim 1, additionally comprising a pulsed light source for exciting the light emitting sensor.

3. A monitoring system according to claim 2, wherein the pulsed light source comprises a light emitting diode (LED) array or a laser.

4. A monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting sensor is formed on the article by a direct-write process.

5. A monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting sensor comprises a temperature sensitive light emitting ceramic material.

6. A monitoring system according to claim 5, wherein the temperature sensitive light emitting ceramic material comprises a rare earth oxide or chromium oxide.

7. A monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting sensor comprises chromium oxide.

8. A monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting sensor comprises alumina doped with chromium.

9. A monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting sensor comprises a rare earth oxide.