Abstract: A system and method of non-intrusive thrust measurement of a gas turbine engine. The system comprises a transmitter disposed at a boundary of fluid flow and at least one receiver adapted to receive transmissions from the transmitter. A processor is coupled to the receivers to determine a parameter from a characteristic of the transmission at the receiver suite and adapted to determine a thrust parameter from the parameter. A method for non-intrusively measuring engine thrust includes transmitting a wave across the exhaust plume, receiving the transmitted wave and determining a measurement parameter of the exhaust plume based on a characteristic of the received wave, and comparing the measurement parameter to a reference parameter and determining the thrust based on the comparison.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods of modifying turbine engine operating limits due to the intake of particulate matter. More specifically, the present disclosure is directed to the use of a sensor at the inlet of a turbine engine to measure the characteristics of particulate flow into the turbine engine such as the volume, density, flow rate, size, shape, and surface type of particulate matter. Based on these measurements, the operating limits of the turbine engine are adjusted due to known degrading effects of particulate matter intake. The adjusted operating limits may include real-time operating limits such as maximum temperature and pressure, or long-range operating limits such as engine lifespan and maintenance cycles.

Abstract: A system and method of non-intrusive thrust measurement of a gas turbine engine. The system comprises a transmitter disposed at a boundary of fluid flow and at least one receiver adapted to receive transmissions from the transmitter. A processor is coupled to the receivers to determine a parameter from a characteristic of the transmission at the receiver suite and adapted to determine a thrust parameter from the parameter. A method for non-intrusively measuring engine thrust includes transmitting a wave across the exhaust plume, receiving the transmitted wave and determining a measurement parameter of the exhaust plume based on a characteristic of the received wave, and comparing the measurement parameter to a reference parameter and determining the thrust based on the comparison.