System for on-line assessment of the condition of thermal coating on a turbine vane

A system for monitoring the condition of a coating on an airfoil comprising:

• an airfoil having a radially inner end and a radially outer end, the airfoil defining an outer peripheral surface;
• a thermal coating substantially covering the outer peripheral surface of the airfoil;
• a plurality of assessment wires extending about at least a portion of the airfoil, wherein at least a portion of each assessment wire is in contact with the thermal coating;
• a power source electrically connected with the plurality of assessment wires, wherein an electrical current is passed along the plurality of assessment wires;
• a measurement device operatively associated with the plurality of assessment wires so as to determine the electrical resistance across the assessment wires, whereby increases in resistance across the assessment wires can provide information as to the size and growth of possible damage to the thermal coating.

A method of on-line evaluation of the condition of a coating on a turbine engine component comprising:

• providing a turbine engine having a component that is at least partially covered with a thermal coating, wherein at least one assessment wire extends about at least a portion of the component such that at least a portion of each assessment wire is in contact with the coating;
• supplying an electrical current to the at least one assessment wire;
• determining resistance across the at least one assessment wire;
• and
• monitoring changes in resistance across the at least one assessment wire, whereby an increase in the resistance across the at least one assessment wire indicates a general assessment of the condition of the thermal coating.