Instrumented component for wireless telemetry

A wireless telemetry system for monitoring operating conditions of a component of a combustion turbine engine having a compressor and a power turbine, the wireless telemetry system comprising:

• a sensor in connection with a turbine blade attached to a rotor disc;
• a telemetry transmitter circuit affixed to the turbine blade;
• a first electrical connecting material deposited on the turbine blade for routing first electronic data signals from the sensor to the telemetry transmitter circuit, the first electronic data signals indicative of a condition of the turbine blade;
• a resonant energy transfer system for powering the telemetry transmitter circuit;
• a first data antenna affixed to the turbine blade or the rotor disc and in electrical communication with the telemetry transmitter circuit for routing the first electronic data signals from the telemetry transmitter circuit to the first data antenna;
• and
• a second data antenna positioned on a stationary surface of the compressor or the power turbine proximate to and in spaced relation to the first data antenna for receiving the first electronic data signals from the first data antenna,
• wherein the resonant energy transfer system includes a primary coil that transmits an oscillating current signal and is affixed to a stationary location of the power turbine or the compressor proximate to and in spaced relation to a secondary coil comprising an electrically conductive material affixed to the rotor disc wherein the secondary coil is in resonance at a same transmitting frequency as the oscillating current signal;
• and
• wherein the telemetry transmitter circuit is formed on a substrate affixed to the rotor disc, the first data antenna and the secondary coil are disposed on the same substrate as that of the telemetry transmitter circuit, and wherein the telemetry transmitter circuit, the secondary coil and the first data antenna are housed in an RF transparent cover affixed to the turbine blade or the rotor disc.

A wireless telemetry system for monitoring operating conditions of a component of a combustion turbine engine having a compressor and a power turbine including stationary and rotating components housed within one or more casings, the wireless telemetry system comprising:

• a sensor in connection with a turbine blade wherein the turbine blade includes an airfoil portion operatively connected to a rotor disc;
• a telemetry transmitter circuit affixed to the turbine blade;
• an electrical connecting material on the turbine blade for routing electronic data signals from the sensor to the telemetry transmitter circuit, the electronic data signals indicative of a condition of the turbine blade;
• a resonant energy transfer system for powering the telemetry transmitter circuit, the resonant energy transfer system comprising a power receiving device and a power transmitting device, wherein the power transmitting device is affixed to a stationary location in the power turbine or the compressor that transmits an oscillating current signal and is affixed to the one or more casings of the power turbine or the compressor in spaced relation to the power receiving device,
• wherein the power receiving device is in resonance at a same frequency as a transmitting frequency of the oscillating current signal, and wherein the telemetry transmitter circuit is fabricated on a substrate and the power receiving device is on the same substrate;
• a first data antenna fabricated on the same substrate as the telemetry transmitter circuit and the power receiving device, and the first data antenna is in electrical communication with the telemetry transmitter circuit for routing the electronic data signals from the telemetry transmitter circuit to the first data antenna;
• a second data antenna positioned on a stationary surface of the compressor or the power turbine proximate to and in spaced relation to the first data antenna for receiving the electronic data signals from the first data antenna;
• and
• wherein the telemetry transmitter circuit, the first data antenna and the power receiving device are on the same substrate and are housed in an RF transparent cover that is affixed to the rotor disc.