Capture Accurate, Real-Time Temperature Readings of Materials in Extreme Operating Conditions with Luminescent Coatings and Phosphor Thermometry

Abstract

Researchers at the University of Central Florida have invented a suite of technologies that allow accurate, remote, real-time temperature measurements of TBCs on components used in extreme operating conditions, such as the blades in turbine engines. The accurate measurement of a coating's temperatures in such environments is crucial to ensure and maintain good performance, the system's functionality, and predictions on the lifetime of the turbine blades. Also, by enabling better monitoring of the thermal parameters in turbine engines, the inventions offer the ability to operate such systems more efficiently and with increased safety.

Following are brief descriptions of the technologies.

• Patent ID 34515, Rare-Earth Doped Thermal Barrier Coating Bond Coat for Thermally Grown Oxide Luminescence Sensing: This invention comprises rare-earth ions in the bond coat material of thermal barrier coatings (TBCs). The coatings protect components from the effects of extreme conditions, such as high heat and pressure. With thermal aging, the material produces thermally grown oxides (TGOs) that luminesce and allow for real-time, accurate temperature measurements using phosphor thermometry.


• Patent ID 34514, Phosphor Thermometry Device for Synchronized Acquisition of Luminescence Lifetime Decay and Intensity on Thermal Barrier Coatings: This invention advances phosphor thermometry instrumentation, enabling higher precision of temperature measurements and extended temperature range capabilities. The invention comprises a phosphor thermometry device that generates a laser pulse onto a thermal barrier-coated substrate. Rare-earth luminescent dopants in the TBC emit different emission wavelengths when subjected to the laser pulse. The new instrumentation can selectively partition the electromagnetic spectrum emitted from a luminescence signal. The signals go to dichroic filters and then to photomultiplier tubes which detect the different emission peaks (wavelengths) of the rare-earth ions. The tubes convert the received photons to an electric signal that is traced on an oscilloscope. System software computes the resulting decays, converting the data into temperatures.


• Patent ID 34522/34523, System and Method to Reveal Temperature Gradients Across Thermal Barrier Coatings Using Phosphor Thermometry: This invention presents a method for analyzing phosphor thermometry decay signals for thermal gradients in translucent materials. Characterizing thermal gradients acting through a translucent material is key to various industrial applications. The luminescence decay method associated with phosphor thermometry can drastically improve temperature monitoring and maintenance. These capabilities contribute to an increase in the lifetime of materials and the efficiency of engines. Compared to other technologies, the invention adds another dimension to temperature measurements, as it can provide a temperature distribution throughout the material, allowing for the creation of 3D temperature maps.

Stage of Development

Prototypes available.

Partnering Opportunity

The research team is looking for partners to develop the technology.

Benefit

Market Application

Publications

Quantifying thermal barrier coating delamination through luminescence modeling, Surface and Coatings Technology, Volume 399, 15 October 2020, 126153. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surfcoat.2020.126153

Phosphor Thermometry Instrumentation for Synchronized Acquisition of Luminescence Lifetime Decay on Thermal Barrier Coatings, Measurement Science and Technology, Volume 31, Issue 5, id.054007, May 2020. DOI: 10.1088/1361-6501/ab64ac

Modeling luminescence behavior for phosphor thermometry applied to doped thermal barrier coating configurations in Applied Optics, Vol. 58, Issue 13, pp. D68-D75 (2019), https://doi.org/10.1364/AO.58.000D68