Method and apparatus to correct for the temperature sensitivity of pressure sensitive paint

A method for more accurately determining a pressure and a temperature experienced by a surface of a component, comprising:

• covering the surface with a first layer of material which is sensitive to temperature;
• covering the first layer of material with a second layer of material which is sensitive to a pressure exerted thereon;
• creating a temperature change on said surface while exerting a pressure on said surface;
• detecting a first degree of luminescence generated by said first layer of material in response to irradiating said first layer with optical radiation;
• detecting a second degree of luminescence generated by said second layer of material in response to irradiating said second layer with said optical radiation;
• determining, from said first degree of luminescence, a temperature being experienced by said surface;
• and
• determining, from said second degree of luminescence, a pressure being exerted on said surface.

A method for more accurately determining a pressure and a temperature experienced by a surface of a component under test, comprising:

• a) covering the surface with a first layer which is temperature sensitive;
• b) covering the first layer a the second layer which is pressure sensitive;
• c) causing the first layer to emit a first light signal;
• d) causing the second layer to emit a second light signal;
• e) taking a first measurement of a brightness of the first light signal emitted by the first layer;
• f) taking a first measurement of a brightness of the second light signal emitted by the second layer;
• g) creating pressure and temperature changes incident on the surface;
• h) taking a second measurement of a brightness of the first light signal emitted by the first layer;
• i) taking a second measurement of a brightness of the second light signal emitted by the second layer;
• and
• j) interpreting the brightness of the light measured from the first layer depending upon the brightness of the light emitted by the second layer and extrapolating therefrom the pressure and the temperature being experienced by the surface.

A system to determine the pressure over an area of a surface of a member, comprising:

• a first film disposed on the surface, wherein said first film comprises a first sensor that is adapted to emit a first light signal at a first wavelength in response to a sensed temperature of the surface;
• a second film disposed over said first film, wherein said second film comprises a second sensor adapted to emit a second light signal at a second wavelength in response to a sensed pressure being exerted on the surface, said second film being optically transparent to said first light signal emitted by said first film;
• and
• a detection system responsive to said first light signal and said second light signal for determining therefrom a pressure being exerted on said surface and accounting for an influence of a temperature of the surface, which temperature affects said second light signal.

A system adapted to determine a substantially error free pressure on a surface using at least one camera to detect light emitted from the surface comprising:

• a first film layer surrounding the surface, wherein the first film layer emits a first light signal at a first wavelength;
• a second film layer surrounding the first film layer, wherein the second film layer emits a second light signal at a second wavelength;
• said first light signal has a first degree depending upon a first physical characteristic being experienced by said first film layer;
• and
• said second light signal has a second degree depending upon said first physical characteristic and a second physical characteristic experienced by the surface.