Prototype Thin-Film Thermocouple for Transient Heat Transfer Measurements inCeramic-Coated Combustion Chambers

摘要

A prototype chromel-alumel overlapping thin-film thermocouple (TFTC) has beendeveloped for transient heat transfer measurements in ceramic-coated combustion chambers. The TFTC has been evaluated using various metallurgical techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive x-ray detection, and Auger electron spectroscopy. The sensor was calibrated against a standard thermocouple in ice, boiling water, and a furnace at 1000 C. The microstructural and chemical analysis of the thin-films showed the alumel film composition was very similar to the bulk material, while the chromel film varied slightly. An initial set of ceramic plug surface temperatures was taken while motoring and firing the engine at 1900 rpm to verify thermocouple operation. The data shows at 613 K mean temperature and a 55 K swing for the ceramic surface compared with a 493 K mean temperature and a 20 K swing for the metal surface at the same location. Transient heat flux calculations indicate a dramatic reduction in heat flux for the ceramic surface. Reprint. (jhd)