Accurate Life Prediction for High temperature Engine Thermocouples (ALPHET)

Completed

Energy Efficiency(Transport)
Not Energy Related

Applied Research and Development

PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Metallurgy and Materials)

Not Cross-cutting

Project Contact
Weston Aerospace Limited

Collaborative R&D

Innovate UK

01 June 2016

30 June 2018

25 months

£273,220

London

Competition Call: 1506_CRD2_TRANS_HITEA3 - Game-Changing Technologies for Aerospace - CRD. Activity Aero HITEA III CR&D

Project Contact, Weston Aerospace Limited

Project Contact, University of Cambridge

The turbine of a jet engine provides one of the most challenging environments in engineering today, where extreme temperatures are combined with a corrosive atmosphere. These temperatures are measured with thermocouples that are a critical part of gas turbine engines used in aircraft and in power generation. They ensure operation at the most efficient temperature and protect the structure from excessive heat. This project applies novel technology developed in Cambridge University to determine the useful life of the structural components of the turbine. This, combined with Weston Aerospace’s expertise and pedigree in thermocouple design and condition information from service run parts, provided with the assistance of Rolls-Royce, will improve the accuracy of prediction of the effective life of thermocouples. Methods to test existing and new thermocouple materials will subsequently be developed, leading to more reliable monitoring of temperature, the use of the right material in each specific engine application and potentially raising the maximum temperatures that can be reliably measured. This will raise efficiency and extend economic life.

26/05/20