Online monitoring experiments of turbo-shaft engine based on electrostatic sensor

Abstract

Purpose Electrostatic monitoring technology is a useful tool for monitoring and detecting component faults and degradation, which is necessary for engine health management. This paper aims to carry out online monitoring experiments of turbo-shaft engine to contribute to the practical application of electrostatic sensor in aero-engine. Design/methodology/approach Combined with the time and frequency domain methods of signal processing, the authors analyze the electrostatic signal from the short timescale and the long timescale. Findings The short timescale analysis verifies that electrostatic sensor is sensitive to the additional increased charged particles caused by abnormal conditions, which makes this technology to monitor typical failures in aero-engine gas path. The long scale analysis verifies the electrostatic sensor has the ability to monitor the degradation of the engine gas path performance, and water washing has a great impact on the electrostatic signal. The spectrum of the electrostatic signal contains not only the motion information of the charged particles but also the rotating speed information of the free turbine. Practical implications The findings in this article prove the effectiveness of electrostatic monitoring and contribute to the application of this technology to aero-engine. Originality/value The research in this paper would be the foundation to achieve the application of the technology in aero-engine.