Resonant Crackwires for In Situ Monitoring of Jet Engines

Fatigue cracks and plastic deformation of parts in jet aircraft engines could be detected, even during engine operation, by use of proposed in situ monitoring devices called "wireless resonant crackwires." Inasmuch as uncontained turbine failures are the leading engine-related hazard for aircraft, early detection of cracks and/or the associated plastic deformation could enable pilots to respond in time to save lives and limit damage. The use of wireless resonant crackwires could also reduce the costs of inspecting engines for fatigue cracks: Often, cracking occurs in engine parts that are accessible only through disassembly of engines. In many cases, the costs of disassembly and reassembly far exceed the costs of inspection, and the disassembly and reassembly processes can cause new damage.