Multi-Physics Modeling of Jet Engine Clearance Sensor - Phase II

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In jet engine design knowledge of the clearance between an airfoil blade tip and engine housing is an importantfactor that can dramatically affect engine performance. This gap can change due to extreme temperaturevariations and high centrifugal and torsional forces. GE Aviation has developed a sensor to monitor airfoilclearance. The sensor is mounted in the engine housing and is based on sensing the capacitance change as theblade passes over a probe. The probe is coupled to a cavity and resonator based electronics, which produces anoutput signal. Accurate measurement of the clearance requires modeling and calibration of the sensor. GEAviation will be partnering with Dr. G.E. Bridges at the University of Manitoba to develop a multi-physicsmodel for determining the capacitance change measured by the clearance probe and use this to calibrate thesensor output signal. In Phase I a model of the probe tip-blade for different geometries and materials wasdeveloped. In Phase II, the coupled cavity and electronics will be modeled. The model will be based onelectromagnetic simulation. Experimental verification will be performed using a bench-top spin-rig system,built by GE Aviation for testing their clearance sensor. A PhD student from the University of Manitoba withexpertise in computational electromagnetics will develop and verify the calibration model. In addition toproviding details of the clearance sensor, GE Aviation will provide a bench-top spin-rig system and aid inobtaining measured results. GE Aviation is one of the worlds top suppliers of aircraft engines and offersengines for military and commercial aircraft. The calibration model developed in this project will provide animportant component for the accurate use of GE Aviation's clearance probe, subsequently aiding in improveddesign and performance of their jet engines.