In-process turbine monitoring has been a subject of research since the advent of gas turbines; however, it is difficult because it requires precision measurements to be made at high speeds and temperatures. The measurement of turbine blade tips is especially intriguing because of the potential it holds to greatly increase the efficiency of engine operation and maintenance. Tip-to-casing clearance is one of the major sources of inefficiency in a turbine and monitoring of this clearance would allow active tip-clearance control systems to be implemented. Also, analysis of engine wear through vibration monitoring may increase the effectiveness of engine maintenance and repair. A sensor recently developed at Georgia Tech could answer this challenge. The sensor operates by measuring the phase change of reflected microwaves to measure blade tip displacement. It is robust even in the harsh turbine environment. However, in sensor measurements, the microwave beam pattern causes a phenomenon called spatial filtering to occur, which may compromise the precision of measurements. Since the beam is not a thin line reflecting off a single point on the turbine blade, measurements are a weighted average of measurements along the entire surface within the field-of-view of the sensor. The net effect is a blurred measurement. In measuring turbine blades, only the tip is vital, so the blurring in between blades is not extremely detrimental. However, changing measurement geometry affects the amount of spatial filtering and hence the accuracy of the measurement. This thesis presents a detailed analysis of this phenomenon and especially its effect on turbine blade tip clearance measurements. A design of experiments is presented to qualitatively understand the effect of geometric factors on tip measurements. Along with experimentation, a robust, three-dimensional, ray-tracing, electromagnetic model is presented which was developed to further understand spatial filtering and to analyze specific geometric factors in the measurement of turbine blades. The research shows that microwave measurements may still be made to sufficient accuracy even considering the effect of spatial filtering, and by quantifying spatial filtering in measurements, it may be possible in to glean additional useful data from measurements.

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As specialized materials are developed for various applications, it becomes desirable to test them under adverse conditions, such as at elevated temperatures and in harsh environments. It is increasingly important that sensors be developed to meet the growing needs of research and industry. The ability of sapphire to withstand elevated temperatures and many chemically harsh environments has long been recognized. However, currently available sapphire fiber possesses poor optical quality and is not available with a cladding. It has found use in a variety of temperature sensors, but the investigation of sapphire-based strain and displacement sensors has been limited. The primary development of a white-light Michelson interferometer that utilizes a sapphire fiber sensing head is presented in this thesis. Development includes efforts to combat the poor optical quality of the sapphire fiber, minimize polarization mode fading, and preferentially excite the fundamental mode of the sapphire fiber. This thesis demonstrates the feasibility of fabricating a Michelson white-light interferometer capable of measuring displacements in environments ranging from room temperature to 800 degrees Celsius. The sensor developed in this work is capable of measuring displacements exceeding 6.4 millimeters at room temperature, and exceeding 1 millimeter at 800 degrees Celsius. This thesis also presents the application of this sensor to the alignment of a sapphire-fiber based Fabry-Perot sensor. This technique allows the Fabry-Perot sensor to be aligned so that usable fringes are always obtained. Alignment of the sapphire-fiber based Fabry-Perot sensors has been considered prohibitively difficult. / Master of Science

The research explores aspects of road surface measurement and monitoring, targeting some of the main challenges in the field, including cost and portability of high-speed inertial profilers. These challenges are due to the complexities of modern profilers to integrate various sensors while using advanced algorithms and processes to analyse measured sensor data. Novel techniques were proposed to improve the accuracy of road surface longitudinal profiles using inertial profilers. The thesis presents a Half-Wavelength Peak Matching (HWPM) model, designed for inertial profilers that integrate a laser displacement sensor and an accelerometer to evaluate surface irregularities. The model provides an alternative approach to drift correction in accelerometers, which is a major challenge when evaluating displacement from acceleration. The theory relies on using data from the laser displacement sensor to estimate a correction offset for the derived displacement. The study also proposes an alternative technique to evaluating vibration velocity, which improves on computational factors when compared to commonly used methods. The aim is to explore a different dimension to road roughness evaluation, by investigating the effect of surface irregularities on vehicle vibration. The measured samples show that the drift in the displacement calculated from the accelerometer increased as the vehicle speed at which the road measurement was taken increased. As such, the significance of the HWPM model is more apparent at higher vehicle speeds, where the results obtained show noticeable improvements to current techniques. All results and analysis carried out to validate the model are based on real-time data obtained from an inertial profiler that was designed and developed for the research. The profiler, which is designed for portability, scalability and accuracy, provides a Power Over Ethernet (POE) enabled solution to cope with the demand for high data transmission rates.

The effects of coupling parameters of active-passive and passive-passive coupling components on the coupling efficiency and signal mixed proportion for polymer optical fiber (POF) communication are investigated. A high sensitivity and easy fabricated POF displacement sensor is proposed by using cycling bending POF. Also, light sources for both Laser diode (LD) and light emitting diode (LED) are employed in this study. Experimental approaches and numerical analysis of rays tracing method and finite element method are performed to investigate the effects of coupling scheme and bent deformation on the optical power attenuation. Experimental results also illustrate the feasibility of using numerical analysis in coupling components and POF displacement sensor design. The effect of V-grooved array¡¦s POF on the coupling efficiency and signal mixed proportion are presented in active-passive components. The results indicate that the effect of the V-groove¡¦s shape and size on the coupling efficiency is very significant for all designed parameters of V-grooved array¡¦s POF. Compared with the parallel V-grooved array, the skew V-grooved array reduces the length of the coupling component and increases the output power between light source and POF. In the Y-branch POF coupler for passive-passive components, both the excess loss and the output power ratio of the Y-branch couplers are very sensitive to the couple angle, the coupling distance and the refractive index of the filling medium between the emitting-end and receiving-end of fibers. The results also show that the proposed model can be used to analyze the coupling efficiencies in the asymmetrical Y-branch or axial symmetrical couplers with acceptable accuracy. In the POF displacement sensor using by cycling bending loss, the results show that the effect of roller¡¦s number, interval and wavelength on light power attenuation is very significant. Based on the experimental data, a linear equation is derived to estimate the relationship between the power loss and the relative displacement. The difference between the estimated results and the experimental results is less than 8%.

<p>This report is product of a degree project accomplishment at Linnaeus University in Växjö, Sweden. It is about designing a testing rig for impact loading of beams for laboratory use.</p><p>The specimens to be used were 1 meter long 8 standard profiles given in the project assignment. The first step in this project was to design and dimension a testing rig which is suitable for laboratory use. The height and the maximum mass were chosen according to laboratory use conditions and safety issues. The second step was designing the fixation for the test sample to the testing rig without any dislocation by the impact load. The third step was to measure the falling height of the mass onto the test sample and measure the deflection of the beam. In this case, the precision of falling height was not very important but measuring the deflection of the beam with the highest possible precision was most important. A measurement system is used considering this factor.</p><p>The project started with the idea of affecting the impact loads on the standard steel construction beams. The aim of this project is to design an impact loading testing rig which can be used for the purpose of laboratory experiments and compare the real results from the experiments with the theoretical results from the calculations.</p><p>In the project, Solid Works and AutoCAD software are often used both in the drawings and strength and stress analyses.</p>

[pt] A magnetostricção é a propriedade dos materiais ferromagnéticos de se deformarem pela presença de um campo magnético externo. Trata-se de uma propriedade inerente ao material, que não muda com o tempo. Materiais que apresentam deformações da ordem de 10-3 são conhecidos como materiais de magnetostricção gigante (GMM). Esta dissertação de mestrado estuda a aplicação destes materiais em sensores de deslocamento onde não há contacto entre o elemento cursor (um ímã) e o elemento sensor (GMM). O princípio de funcionamento consiste em aplicar um gradiente de campo magnético ao GMM que está fixo. O gradiente de campo magnético é gerado por um ímã preso ao componente ou estrutura na qual se quer medir o deslocamento. As variações no campo magnético no material GMM originados pelo deslocamento do ímã (estrutura), provocam uma deformação no GMM, que é detectada com extensômetros do tipo Strain Gauge ou Redes de Bragg. Neste trabalho apresenta-se a caracterização da deformação de GMM em relação a um campo constante aplicado, e análises do seu comportamento para diferentes geometrias. Efeitos de pressão, polarização com um segundo ímã, e diferentes gradientes de campo magnético são também estudados. É observado um comportamento local para a deformação quando a medida é realizada em diferentes regiões do GMM. Os resultados obtidos permitiram a medição de deslocamentos de alguns micra estando o elemento sensor a até 10 mm de distância do elemento cursor. / [en] Magnetostriction is a property of ferromagnetic materials to deform in the presence of a magnetic field. Magnetostriction is an inherent property of magnetic materials, which is unchangeable with time. Materials exhibiting strains in the order of 10-3 are known as giant magnetostrictive materials (GMM).In this dissertation we study the application of these materials in displacement sensors where there is not contact between the cursor element (magnet) and sensor element (GMM). Its principle of operation consists of applying a magnetic field gradient to a GMM located at a fixed position. The magnetic field gradient is produced by a magnet attached to the component or structure in which the displacement will be measured.The variation on the magnetic field in the GMM position originated from the displacement of the magnet, results in a strain in the GMM that can be detected with a Strain Gauge or Bragg Grating extensometers. In this work is presented the characterization of the strain on GMM cuboids against a constant magnetic field and the analysis of its behavior for different geometries. Effects of pressure, polarization with a second magnet, and different gradients of magnetic field are also studied. It is observed a local behavior for strains when it is measured in different regions of GMM cuboid. The results obtained allow us to measure displacements of about few micra when the sensor is at a distance of 10 mm from the cursor element.

This report is product of a degree project accomplishment at Linnaeus University in Växjö, Sweden. It is about designing a testing rig for impact loading of beams for laboratory use. The specimens to be used were 1 meter long 8 standard profiles given in the project assignment. The first step in this project was to design and dimension a testing rig which is suitable for laboratory use. The height and the maximum mass were chosen according to laboratory use conditions and safety issues. The second step was designing the fixation for the test sample to the testing rig without any dislocation by the impact load. The third step was to measure the falling height of the mass onto the test sample and measure the deflection of the beam. In this case, the precision of falling height was not very important but measuring the deflection of the beam with the highest possible precision was most important. A measurement system is used considering this factor. The project started with the idea of affecting the impact loads on the standard steel construction beams. The aim of this project is to design an impact loading testing rig which can be used for the purpose of laboratory experiments and compare the real results from the experiments with the theoretical results from the calculations. In the project, Solid Works and AutoCAD software are often used both in the drawings and strength and stress analyses.

Submitted by Maike Costa (maiksebas@gmail.com) on 2017-05-24T13:42:31Z No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 3782473 bytes, checksum: 32dae2c7c7f319bb1f74f7a9be6d1239 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-24T13:42:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 3782473 bytes, checksum: 32dae2c7c7f319bb1f74f7a9be6d1239 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-05-25 / Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq / The Shape Memory Alloys (SMA) is part of an active material class due to a special characteristic, called Shape Memory Effect (SME) that can be activated by a thermal field. In general these materials are made by metallic alloys and belong to a group of conducting materials with electromagnetic properties when circulated by an electric current. If geometrically configured as an inductor and stimulated with an alternating current allows the variable magnetic induction provided by the magnetic flux inside the coil. Using the thermomechanical shape change and the magnetic induction characteristics, this paper presents a study and development of a variable inductor with an alloy Ni-Ti. This study is based in inductance variation through geometric variation of coils made of shape memory wire and keeping the magnetic permeability constant. It was also observed variations in magnetic inductance due to change in temperature through electrical current, showing a possible close relationship with the phase transformation temperature of the material. To collect the experimental results were necessary the development of SME inductors with ferrite nucleus. Results are presented for the inductance variation related to length and temperature variation of a SMA inductor. / As Ligas com Memória de Forma (LMF) fazem parte de uma classe de materiais ativos ou inteligentes por possuírem uma característica especial denominada de Efeito Memória de Forma (EMF) que pode ser ativado por um campo térmico. Por serem geralmente ligas metálicas estão no grupo dos materiais condutores e apresentam propriedades eletromagnéticas quando circulados por uma corrente elétrica. Se configurado geometricamente como um indutor e estimulado com uma corrente alternada possibilita a indução magnética variável proporcionada pelo fluxo magnético no interior das espiras. Aproveitando a característica termomecânica de mudança de forma e o efeito físico de indução magnética, este trabalho apresenta um estudo do desenvolvimento de um indutor variável com liga com memória de forma de NiTi. O estudo se baseou na variação da indutância pela variação geométrica das espiras construídas com fio com memória de forma e mantendo a permeabilidade magnética do núcleo constante. Foram observadas variações na indutância magnética devido à variação de temperatura provocada por corrente elétrica, demonstrando uma possível relação entre as temperaturas de transformação de fase do material. Para a coleta dos resultados experimentais foram desenvolvidos alguns indutores com LMF com núcleo de ferrite. São apresentados resultados da variação da indutância relacionados com a variação do comprimento e temperatura do indutor de LMF.

<p>U disertaciji je prikazano teorijsko i praktično istraživanje koje se odnosi na projektovanje, fabrikaciju i karakterizaciju heterogeno integrisanih induktivnih senzora za mjerenje sile, pritiska i pomjeraja. Cilj istraživanja doktorske disertacije je kombinovanje različitih tehnologija izrade i materijala, kako bi se projektovali senzori koji će biti konkurentni aktuelnim rešenjima, i koji bi se mogli koristiti za konkretne primjene. U okviru istraživanja, heterogenom integracijom su kombinovane prednosti tehnologije štampanih ploča (Printed Circuit Board - PCB), fleksibilne tehnologije i tehnologije niskotemperaturne zajedno-pečene keramike (Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramics &ndash; LTCC). Razvijena su tri prototipa senzora za mjerenje sile, pritiska i pomjeraja korišćenjem struktura sa induktorom i feritom u njegovoj blizini. Mjerenje realizovanih prototipova senzora vrši se bežično pomoću spregnutog antenskog namotaja. Na osnovu početnih rezultata ispitivanja, senzori su modifikovani u cilju poboljšanja i optimizovanja performansi. Projektovani senzori omogućavaju bežično mjerenje, jeftini su, kompaktni i jednostavni. Na osnovu teorijske analize, simulacija, eksperimetnalnih mjerenja, ustanovljena je ispravnost rada i primjenljivost realizovanih senzora.</p> / <p>In doctoral thesis theoretical and practical investigation on design, fabrication and characterisation of heterogenous integrated inductive sensors for measuring force, pressure and displacement are shown. The aim of the thesis is to investige the usage of different technologies and materials in order to design sensors which will be competitive to actual solutions and usable for specific aplications. Using heterogenous integraton, advantages of Printed Circuit Board technology (PCB), flexible and Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramics (LTCC) technologies are used. Three sensor prototypes for measuring force, pressure and displacement are developed using inductor and ferrite in its near proximity. Measurements of the realised sensor prototypes are wirelessly done using an external surrounding coil as an antenna. Based on the initial measuring results, sensors are redesigned in order to improve and optimize their performance. Projected sensors are low-cost, compact, simple, and enable wireless measurement. The proper operation and applicability of realized sensors are confirmed using theoretical analysis, simulation and experimental testing with presented results.</p>