Thermal Energy Scavenging to Power Aircraft Engine Test Sensors

Abstract

Many wires are used to set up instrumentation on Pratt & Whitney gas turbine engines. The wires create long set up times, disorganization, and added failure points. The goal of this project was to power the transducers wirelessly with a required 10V excitation at 10mA. This was done by modifying a thermoelectric generator package which uses the temperature difference between the engine's heat and the surrounding cool air. Enhancements were made to the generator to optimize the temperature difference. Temperature differences of approximately 60C and voltages of 2.5V were achieved and then stepped up to 10V. This package will provide enough voltage to power most wireless devices and eliminate the problems associated with current instrumentation during engine tests at Pratt & Whitney