A Review of Current Methods and Problems in Making Gas Path Measurements in Aircraft Gas Turbine Engines

Abstract

The gas path of an aircraft gas turbine engine presents some unique measurement problems. As part of the development of an engine, it is necessary to verify all of the critical design parameters such as air and metal temperature, dynamic and steady state stresses, pressure distributions and air flow in order to accurately interpret engine performance and endurance tests. Although a great deal can be accomplished within the current state-of-the-art, some very significant gaps remain in the needed measurement technology, particularly in the hottest sections of the engine. New sensors and measuring techniques are currently under development which promise to overcome many of the current problems.