Leaf tip timing (BTT) is a technique used to measure the vibration and arrival time of rotating blades by comparing the actual blade passage with the theoretical timing. This method is critical for assessing blade fatigue, detecting cracks, and predicting failures in turbines and other high-speed rotors . Unlike traditional strain gauges, fiber optic sensors allow non-contact measurements, reducing the influence of sensor mass and eliminating the need for telemetry or slip rings .
Fiber optic sensors for tip timing typically use reflective intensity-modulated or laser-based optical probes. The sensor emits light toward the blade tip, and the reflected light is collected via optical fibers and directed to a detector . The time of arrival of the reflected signal indicates the blade tip position. Deviations from the expected arrival time reveal blade deflection or vibration amplitude . Key advantages of fiber optic sensors include:
Optimizing a fiber optic sensor involves careful selection of fiber arrangement, gain configuration, and receiving fiber geometry. Common designs use a single-mode transmitting fiber surrounded by concentric rings of multimode receiving fibers, which enhances sensitivity and operating range . Software tools can simulate and adjust these parameters to achieve the best tradeoff between sensitivity and measurement range .
Fiber optic tip timing sensors are widely used in:
Fiber optic sensors offer a reliable, high-speed, and non-intrusive solution for leaf tip timing measurements. Their ability to provide precise timing, withstand harsh environments, and measure multiple parameters simultaneously makes them superior to traditional contact-based sensors like strain gauges or electromagnetic probes . Proper sensor design and placement are essential to maximize sensitivity and accuracy in real-world turbine applications.
Designed for optical probe signals in the fan and compressor sections of aircraft engines. Enables real-time
SEDI-ATI offers fiber optic on/off probes consisting of bundles of optical fibers resistant to +600°C in order
When it comes to measuring blade-tip clearance or blade-tip timing in turbines, reflective intensity-modulated optical fiber sensors
Tip-Timing or blade deformation measurement is applied to turbines and the use of fibre optic sensors provides a fast and reliable
Multi-fiber link for complex environments SEDI-ATI offers fiber optic on/off probes consisting of bundles of
Garcia et al. designed an optical fiber bundle sensor for tip clearance and tip timing measurements and the sensing
The system present at the TFD is an optical laser measurement method that works according to the light barrier principle. Several
Abstract Novel methods are proposed to expand the capability of a blade tip timing (BTT) system. Simultaneously
The results demonstrate its suitability for real-time implementation and its effectiveness in estimating blade tip
BTT and tip clearance non-contact measurements are accomplished using this optical sensor, the system also gets information of all
In this work, an algorithm for the optimization of the design of an optical fiber bundle displacement sensor for Tip
Extrinsic Fiber Optic Sensors Fiber is Only an Information Carrier To and From a Black Box Light Signal Generation in Black Box
The optical fiber tip clearance measurement system consists of the reflective intensity
Traditional processing algorithm of the tip-timing signal of an optical fiber sensor probe is to input the output signal of
The blade tip-timing has become an effective new method to measure the in-situ vibration at turbo-machinery rotor blade tips.The
Download scientific diagram | Test rig and installation of fiber optical tip timing sensors. from publication:
The optical fiber tip timing sensor used in this pa per consists of a transmitting fiber in the center of the probe head and six receiving
Blade tip timing is an effective method for blade vibration measurements in turbomachinery. This method is increasing
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Method to improve the blade tip-timing accuracy of fiber bundle sensor under varying tip clearance Optical Engineering
Abstract Blade vibration measurement based on the blade tip-timing method has become an industry-standard
Several sensors mounted around the circumference in the housing emit a laser beam that is reflected by the blade tip as it passes
The optical fiber bundle sensor overcomes limitations of traditional sensors for tip timing and clearance measurements. Blade-tip
With this approach, both blade-tip timing and tip clearance measurements can be carried out simultaneously. The results obtained on
Trifurcated optical fiber bundle and cross sections of its legs. Calibration curve of the tip timing and tip clearance sensor.
In this paper, an eddy current–fiber optic composite sensor is proposed to achieve co-located and simultaneous measurement of
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