Sensing Jet Engine Performance and Incipient Failure with Electrostatic Probes.
Abstract
Jet exhaust plasma densities have been investigated with electrostatic probes and have been found to vary exponentially from 3 x 3,000,000 cubic centimeters to 4 x 10 to the 7th power cubic centimeters depending on the mixture ratio. The plasma has been found to contain few electrons and to be primarily positive and negative ions. It has been discovered that electrostatic probes can be used to detect the particles which proceed a number of jet engine failures. Two theories are set forth; one for interpreting the I-V trace and one for the current spikes seen prior to jet engine failures. Further studies are recommended to exploit the engine failure prediction capabilities and use the mixture ratio sensitivity to obtain engine performance and to predict compressor stalls. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1972
- Accession Number
- AD0766653
Entities
People
- Dennis R. Rossbach
- Robert P. Couch
Organizations
- Flight Dynamics Laboratory