University of Rhode Island

Rhode Island Council on Postsecondary Education

Rtx Corporation

Kevin Rivera

Paul F Croteau

Otto J Gregory

Andrew A Consiglio

John Rhoat

Matthew Thomas Ricci

Tommy Muth

Temperature sensors particularly suitable for high temperature heat flux measurements across the thickness of a component, for example a turbine blade. The sensors comprise one or more conductive traces that wrap around an edge of the component, thereby connecting one or more hot junctions on the hot side of the component to the cold junction contacts on the colder side of the component. In some embodiments the traces comprise two dissimilar materials, such as indium tin oxide (ITO) and platinum. Alternatively, if the component is electrically conductive, the component itself can form one thermoelement of the sensor.

High temperature heat flux sensors

A resistance temperature detector (RTD) that uses a ceramic matrix composite (CMC), such as a silicon carbide fiber-reinforced silicon carbide matrix, as an active temperature sensing element, which can operate at temperatures greater than 1000&#xb0; C. or even 1600&#xb0; C. Conductive indium tin oxide or a single elemental metal such as platinum is deposited on a dielectric or insulating layer such as mullite or an environmental barrier coating (EBC) on the substrate. Openings in the layer allow etching of the CMC surface in order to make high quality ohmic contacts with the conductive material, either directly or through a silicide diffusion barrier such as ITO. The RTD can measure both temperature and strain of the CMC. The use of an EBC, which typically is deposited on the CMC by the manufacturer, as the insulating or dielectric layer can be extended to other devices such as strain gages and thermocouples that use the CMC as a sensing element. The EBC can be masked and etched to form the openings. A conductive EBC can be used as the silicide diffusion barrier.

Resistance temperature detector (RTD) for ceramic matrix composites

The subject of the present invention relates to a device that can be applied to the surface of a ceramic matrix composites (CMC) in such a way that the CMC itself will contribute to the extraordinarily large thermoelectric power. The present invention obtains greater resolution of temperature measurements, which can be obtained at exceedingly high temperatures.

Temperature and thermal gradient sensor for ceramic matrix composites and methods of preparation thereof

Strain gages for use with ceramic matrix composites (CMCs), and methods of manufacture therefore. The strain gages use the CMC as a strain element. For semiconductor CMCs, for example SiC fiber-reinforced SiC CMC, their large gage factor enables high sensitivity, high accuracy strain measurements at high temperatures. By using a single elemental metal such as platinum, or another high temperature conductive material, the strain gages can operate at temperatures over 1600&#xb0; C. The conductive material is preferably deposited on a dielectric or insulating layer, and contacts the CMC substrate through openings in that layer. The materials can be deposited using thin film vacuum techniques or thick film techniques such as pastes or inks. The strain gages can be configured to measure only the mechanical strain independent of the apparent or thermal strain. The strain gages can be incorporated into a bulk CMC structure during layup, and can optionally measure the strain of only desired fiber weave orientations.

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Providence, RI, United States of America

Kevin Rivera